Clare Bolam is a 15-year-old student who lives on family farms in NSW and Queensland, Australia totaling over 4,500 acres. The farms raise sheep and cattle through practices like selective breeding to suit the climate. Clare discusses how agriculture has modernized over time through improved machinery, chemicals, and land management techniques. She describes the challenges of drought, flooding, and locust plagues but believes sustainable and efficient practices help deal with complications.

1. ‘My Story, my life!’
by
Clare Bolam

2. About Me
I am currently 15 years old, and attend Yanco Agricultural
High School where I will be going into year 11 during 2011.

3. Cunnamulla in
relation to
Queensland.
Our region of NSW where our
farms are situated
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.

4. Our enterprises
consists of sheep
and cattle in
Queensland and
sheep as well as
cropping in NSW.
It hasn’t been
Previous harvesting in NSW.
profitable during
the drought to crop
but we have
previously grown;
wheat, barley and
oats.

5. School Studies & Courses
During 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 Indicus
cross 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

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

7. 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
Me learning how to cross will help us build sustainable
pollinate different varieties agricultural enterprises in the
of rice plants during 2010. future.

8. 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
The future farmer in and food security assured.
Australia.

9. The History of Farming & how its Changed
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.
EROSION
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.

10. 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.
Crossbred ewes and
property at Tullamore early
November 2010.

11. Farm machinery and enterprise
practices have also improved to
provide a more efficient way of
managing an enterprise.
Examples First
The move from the first harvester, harvester
Modern
made by John Ridley in the 1840’s to
harvester
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.

12. Dams, bore drains, irrigation House dam at NSW property
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 Overall, the changes and
farmers as it provides a source developments to past
of insurance and security products, practices and
during times of drought and land management issues
provides one of the main have helped farmers to
necessities needed to maintain create efficient and
and run an agricultural sustainable operations
enterprise. which support our great
nation.

13. 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.

14. Brahman cross cattle breed in
Queensland.
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.

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

16. 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
Shearing time 2010 at NSW
keep the fleece clean for
property.
shearing.
Lamb marking occurs when
any of these practices are
taking place because we
leave our rams in all year
round to maximise
production.

17. 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.

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

19. 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.
Calf marking early 2011
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
Droving in 2008
whilst in tough times.

20. Dad and I on
horseback ready
to start the day off
mustering at one
of our Queensland
properties.

21. My Story- past farming hardships
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.

22. 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.
Flood waters over the main road at our
property near Tullamore early 2009.

23. 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
Locust Plague 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.

24. WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS OF THE
2010 CREAM OF THE CROP COMPETITION
PLATINUM GOLD SILVER
BRONZE