New Branch • Central Ranges
Your Society is on the move with the formation of a new branch in the Central Ranges region. It is the first time the Society has launched a branch for many years and reflects the strong status of the organisation.
The new branch covers an area west of the Hume Freeway, north of Melbourne, south of Bendigo and east of Ballarat. Baynton farmer Gerard Ryan has been elected as the inaugural branch President.
Gerard said there was strong interest from local farmers in the area in holding events to share information and technology related to grassland farming. “There hasn’t been much happening so we thought it would be good to form a branch specifically for this area,” he said. “We called a meeting and there was strong support for forming a new branch.” The branch plans to hold four events each year and will start with a Pastures Update at Kyneton on September 23.
“We have a good committee of about 10 people so we hope to remain active,” Gerard said.
Gerard has been a member for the past 30 years as he expanded his prime lamb and Merino enterprises on his property between Kyneton and Heathcote. “The Society is a network of researchers, agricultural professionals and farmers interested in improving productivity of grass, and provides great opportunities to exchange information and knowledge from research, experimental work and practical experience.”
“This region along the Great Dividing Range has acidic soil types and hilly terrain so there is good reason to have our own branch to focus on our specific needs.” Our Executive Officer Clare de Kok said the formation of a new branch in the area was a good reflection of interest in the Society. Clare has taken the role of joint branch Secretary/ Treasurer for the first year.