It’s time to prepare for this year’s bushfire season. Consider how you will stay informed of weather, fire ban and incident information throughout the season. If you have firefighting equipment check that it is working and is set up ready in case of a fire.

Tidying up around your property can lower the potential impacts of a fire. For rules about vegetation management and fire prevention around dwellings and fence lines go to the Department for Environment and Water website. It important you consider your physical and emotionally preparedness to respond to a fire. 

If you haven’t already, complete your bushfire plan today. The CFS ‘5 Minute Bushfire Plan’  or the Red Cross’s emergency management planning tools are useful resources fore creating a plan.

Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program

This Grant program is confined to bushfire-affected areas within the eastern and southern part of Australia affected by the 2019-20 bushfires, or adjacent to an affected area.

There is $10 million available for this grant opportunity.

The minimum grant is $5,000 and the maximum grant is $150,000.

Applications close: 27 November 2020.

More information can be found on the Grant Connect website.

The National Drought Map platform aims to give people and communities the support and information they need to be better prepared for droughts and floods. The National Drought Map helps users find a range of information on drought conditions and associated support measures in one useful platform. It also offers a simple mapping program that can be used for your own extension and communication.

The portal aims to be intuitive. To start your mapping project use the “Add Data” tab to explore the data streams, preview what the data represents and how it is displayed and to add data layers to your map.

The portal is hosted by the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency. The Map has been developed in collaboration with the Australian Government and CSIRO’s Data61. The National Drought Map provides access to spatial data from Australian government agencies, State Governments and other organisations.

Article provided by Dean Jones, Regional Recovery Officer - West Victoria

Enabling change in the Limestone Coast - extension training for project officers

The MacKillop Farm Management Group presents a workshop ‘Enabling Change on the Limestone Coast’.

The workshop will build the capacity of the agricultural advisory sector to deliver more effective extension, capacity building and change management programs to Limestone Coast landholders to encourage the uptake of best practice agriculture in a changing climate

This one day workshop will cover:

• Defining extension
• Creating farmer engagement
• Facilitation of learning groups
• Easy evaluation

Thursday 26th November at Stuan House, Naracoorte. Morning tea and lunch provided. Attendance is free

Numbers are limited due to COVID restrictions, so please RSVP to danielle@aginnovate.com.au or 0429 676077 to secure your spot.

This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board as an Adaptive Agriculture grant, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Did you know that bats can eat up to their own body weight in insects in one night?! - Great news for landholders with crops to protect!

The Limestone Landscape Board is offering a free event for anyone keen to learn more about these mysterious creatures and their valuable contribution to the landscape.

Local bat expert Rose Thompson will share some insight into the fascinating world of bats and discuss the local species we can expect to see in the Limestone Coast region.

There will also be opportunity to catch a glimpse of the endangered Southern Bent-Wing Bat via infrared camera in the Bat Observation Centre.

At twilight you will witness thousands of bats flying out into the night – a truly spectacular sight!

The event will be held on Wednesday 25 November, Naracoorte Caves. 

Numbers are strictly limited, and COVID-19 distancing guidelines will apply.

Bookings are essential, via Eventbrite

For more information contact Jacqui Owen on 0428 155 989 or Jacqui.owen@sa.gov.au.

The importance of feed testing

Hay making is starting to ramp up and it is important to start thinking about the feed value your hay is going to provide to your animals as supplementary feed. Whether you are making and storing your own hay or buying it in, you should be getting a feed test done. It is important to know what quality your animals require and that the fodder that you have suits their needs. Knowing these requirements can save you time and money in the long run.

More information can be found on the Sheep Connect website.

DairySA is once again offering women in dairy the opportunity to connect with dairy friends and colleagues at the annual DairySA Ladies Lunch - in the beautiful surrounds of the newly-renovated Lake Breeze Wines (Langhorne Creek), or the delightful Apple Farm (Mt Gambier).

Guest speaker, personal and life coach Mandy Curnow will provide practical tips on self-care, reminding us that during times like these we need to look after ourselves to replenish our positive outlook.

Central - Tuesday 10th November, ‘Lake Breeze Winery’, Langhorne Creek - Register here.

South East - Wednesday 18th November, ‘The Apple Farm’, OB Flat - Register here.

Grab your friends and colleagues and make it a fun day out!

DairySA is thrilled to be hosting an SA Young Dairy Network Forum in November, aimed at dairy industry members aged 18-35ish, to be held at ‘The Bend’ Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend.

The event will kick off on the evening of Monday 23 November – with whispers of Go Karting - followed by a day long forum on Tuesday 24 November featuring a line up of guest speakers including farm advisor Cam Smith, Ag mentor Jeanette Long and a Q&A panel of dairy farmers.

Cost: $40 - includes presentations / workshops, accommodation, meals.

Head to eventbrite to register.

Any questions? Contact YDN Coordinator Cathy Ashby on cathy@dairysa.com.au or 0492 803 805.

Growth State: Food, Wine and Agribusiness Sector Plan released

The Food, Wine and Agribusiness Sector Plan will stimulate an ambitious growth agenda to contribute revenue of $23 billion by 2030 to the South Australian economy. Growth State aims to achieve an increase in Gross State Product (GSP) to an average annual rate of 3% per annum.

Copy of the plan available on the $23 Billion by 2030 website.

New Biosecurity Act for South Australia – draft out for comment

The South Australian Government is developing a new Biosecurity Act to provide a simpler, modern and more effective legislative framework for the management of pests and diseases, the trade in plant and animal products, and the response to biosecurity emergencies.

The State Government is now undertaking public consultation on the proposed approach to develop a new Biosecurity Act.

Now is the time to have your say in the future management and protection of this State’s vitally important biosecurity system.

Consultation is open until Tuesday 24 November 2020.

Visit PIRSA’s website for more information.

2020 South Australian Agricultural town of the year

Support your town by voting for it to be one of the 2020 Agricultural Town of the Year finalists. Now in its second year, the award recognises South Australian towns that are excelling in agricultural practices and the flow on effect they have on communities.

For more information and to vote head to the South Australian Agricultural town of the year website.

Tourism Industry Development Fund

The South Australian Government recognises the huge impact that COVID-19 has had on the tourism sector across regional South Australia.

The Tourism Industry Development Fund is designed to support and stimulate private sector investment in new and improved regional accommodation, and the development of quality tourism product and experiences. It aims to assist in the COVID recovery of regional tourism by encouraging regional operators to improve and diversify so they can attract more visitors and get a higher return on their offering.

Through the South Australian Tourism Commission, the State Government is committing $20 million to the Tourism Industry Development Fund over two years to support regional tourism in South Australia.

Applications close: 31 March 2022 or until all funds have been allocated.

More information and eligibility criteria can be found on the South Australian Tourism Commission website.

On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme

South Australian primary producers in drought affected areas can now apply to the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme under a new round of funding.

You may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to 30% (max $30,000) for the cost of purchasing, installing and repairing on-farm water infrastructure for livestock and permanent horticulture.

Applications close: 31 March 2021 or until all funding has been allocated.

More Information and eligibility guidelines can be found on the PIRSA website.

Get involved!

AgConnect promotes the latest sustainable agricultural news and events across the Limestone Coast. If you have an upcoming event or agricultural news you would like to share contact us:

Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators

Skylea Mclean skylea.mclean@sa.gov.au and Eykolina Benny eykolina.benny@sa.gov.au