my story my life by clare bolam

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‘My Story, my life!’ by Clare Bolam

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‘My Story, my life!’by

Clare Bolam

About MeI am currently 15 years old, and attend Yanco Agricultural

High School where I will be going into year 11 during 2011.

I come off a property between Tottenham and Tullamore in the centre of NSW. My family owns 4500 acres in NSW around this area and another 240 000 acres in Southern Queensland between Cunnamulla and St George.

Cunnamulla in relation to Queensland.

Our region of NSW where our farms are situated

Our enterprises consists of sheep and cattle in Queensland and sheep as well as cropping in NSW.

It hasn’t been profitable during the drought to crop but we have previously grown; wheat, barley and oats.

Previous harvesting in NSW.

School Studies & CoursesDuring the previous three years I have studied the subjects

Agriculture and Science. These subjects have widened my knowledge of plant and animal enterprises and the advances through different breeding, growing and selling methods. They have taught me the benefits of choosing cattle breeds to suit the climatic conditions.

We focus on breeding Bos Indicuscross cattle to be able to withstand the harsh conditions and drought environment where as Bos Taurus breeds are more suited to cooler, milder conditions.

Brahman Steer

Livestock and Queensland farm during the drought. These cattle are a Santa Gertrudis/ Brahman cross.

Science and Agriculture These subjects have shown me

the benefits of biotechnology such as selective breeding which will influence the future practices I will use. Education teaches us about soil structure and pH level and vegetation management. This knowledge helps us accept change and embrace new technology which will help us build sustainable agricultural enterprises in the future.

Me learning how to cross pollinate different varieties of rice plants during 2010.

How studies benefit society and me

My generation will be responsible for the future of agriculture. Education helps us develop alternative management and farming practices that sustain our environment.

Problems such as land degradation, salinity and erosion are being overcome and food security assured. The future farmer in

Australia.

Agriculture is forever changing. Compared to the past things like drenches, back lining chemicals and lick blocks have improved and helped farmers produce better products more efficiently.

The History of Farming & how its Changed

Practices like crop rotations and direct drilling have been readily supported in recent years to maintain soil structure and prevent land degradation. Farmers are becoming aware of the benefits of adequate ground cover and revegetation in paddocks to prevent erosion and land degradation and improve soil quality.

E R O S I O N

Crossbred ewes and property at Tullamore early November 2010.

Country near Cunnamulla at the beginning of 2010, after the large rainfall around Christmas time.These environments are good examples of the use of ground cover (vegetation), which reduces and prevents the chances of developing land degradation via soil erosion.

Farm machinery and enterprise practices have also improved to provide a more efficient way of managing an enterprise.

First harvester

ExamplesThe move from the first harvester, made by John Ridley in the 1840’s to the large engine operated harvesters like John Deere or Claas. Practices like calf marking has now moved away from original methods like roping down to calf cradles for greater efficiency and less handling which means less stress for the animal.

Modern harvester

Dams, bore drains, irrigation channels, tanks and troughs have helped provide secure water systems for farmers and contribute to a sustainable operation. Being able to store/capture quantities of water is a large advantage for farmers as it provides a source of insurance and security during times of drought and provides one of the main necessities needed to maintain and run an agricultural enterprise.

House dam at NSW property

Overall, the changes and developments to past products, practices and land management issues have helped farmers to create efficient and sustainable operations which support our great nation.

Our bore in Queensland- a good example of a secure water system during times of drought. We have recently been converting to pipe lines, troughs and water tanks instead of bore drains to conserve more water.

Dipping sheep at Tullamore early 2010. This is a good example of an efficient enterprise operation as preventing lice and other parasites helps improve the wool clip. We dip all new sheep to the property to prevent outbreaks within mobs.

Our farm enterprises suit the fat lamb, merino wool and young cattle markets. Older female sheep (ewes) and cows are sold when younger breeders are brought. Female lambs and calves are generally kept for breeding while male animals are sold.

NSW sheep breed for wool and meat markets.

Brahman cross cattle breed in Queensland.

The vegetation on our Queensland properties consists largely of mulga trees (Acacia aneura) which can be eaten by the cattle during dry conditions.

Shearing at our NSW property happens in December.

Drenching occurs when there is any presence of worms and internal parasites and we crutch to help prevent flystrike and keep the fleece clean for shearing.

Lamb marking occurs when any of these practices are taking place because we leave our rams in all year round to maximise production.

Shearing time 2010 at NSW property.

Because the paddocks in our Queensland properties are so large we use a small plane (ultra light) to spot mobs of cattle and

direct people on bikes and horses to them. We also use it to check watering points and stock.

We have our own truck and cattle crates to transport livestock to and from the saleyards.

The calves are marked generally each time we bring a mob of cattle in. Once we have done a

few musters we pick out the animals suitable to send to the saleyards.

In the past we have grazed the cattle along stock routes (also known as

droving), to fatten them up to sell and keep the

condition on them whilst in tough times.Droving in 2008

Calf marking early 2011

Dad and I on horseback ready

to start the day off mustering at one

of our Queensland properties.

The past droughts have had a great effect on farmers and the community as small businesses and farmers struggled to stay profitable throughout the tough times.

My Story- past farming hardships

Flood waters over the main road at our property near Tullamore early 2009.

In recent years there has been cases of flash flooding (generally around Christmas time) which has seen many

farmers lose stock, and suffer damage to fences , houses and sheds.

Another major problem for us has been locusts. Grasshoppers have stripped crops and grazing pastures leaving nothing behind. We manage this through spraying, although this is not possible if they are already flying.

I have found that managing a farm based around efficiency and sustainability puts the farmer in a better position to deal with most complications that arise.

Climatic factors are unpredictable. Yet I believe if people can prepare for the worst(i.e. secure water system) then they can develop a sustainable, efficient and well managed enterprise.

Locust Plague

GOLD SILVERPLATINUM

BRONZE

WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS OF THE 2010 CREAM OF THE CROP COMPETITION