Issue 35

December 2018

 
 

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

 
 

Kathleen Plowman, CEO

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM AHA

 

AHA CHRISTMAS SHUTDOWN

AHA offices will be closed from COB Friday 21 December, re-opening Wednesday 2 January. For emergency animal disease or media contact details click here

 

From all of us at AHA, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday period and a Happy New Year! Click here to view a special holiday message. 

 

SYMPOSIUM SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS AVAILABLE

AHA, Invasive Species Council (ISC) and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) are excited to announce that the 2019 Australian Biosecurity Symposium Sponsorship and Exhibition Prospectus is now available! View it here

 

The Symposium is being held 12-13 June 2019 on the Gold Coast, QLD. Don’t forget to register for the event – early bird rates are now available! Abstract submissions are also open. For more information visit www.biosym.com.au.

 

I hope you enjoy reading this month's edition of Animal Health Express.

 
 
 

 
 
 

aha and industry news

 
 


Issue 2 of The Link is available now!

 

The Link features stories from producers, vets and others who work in the agriculture industry and shares what AHA is working on to strengthen the animal health system.

 

Issue 2 focuses on 'emergency animal disease: are we prepared?' and features a new 'On the ground' section with producer stories. Also featured in this edition are:

  • A decade of freedom from Eqine Influenza
  • Protecting Tassie's Oysters
  • State of origin: managing a cross-border response

You can view Issue 2 here.

 

Click here to subscribe to future editions.

 
 
 
 

Our ILOs in action – broadening the focus of industry

 

Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

 

The Northern Australia Biosecurity Surveillance project was formed in 2016 with funding from the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. As part of this project, three Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) positions were created in northern Australia, across the plant, animal and aquatic industries.

 

Read more.

(L-R Trevor Dunmall, PHA and Helen Jenkins and Jess Rummery, AHA)

 
 

Veterinary pathologists and clinicians come together to share their knowledge

 

Veterinarians working in forensic pathology, animal welfare and shelter medicine had the opportunity to share their insights, knowledge and learn from experts in the field at the annual Australian Animal Pathology Standards Program (AAPSP) Roadshow.

 

Read more.

 
 
 

SPA hosts electronic identification ‘fact finding’ tour to Victoria

 

Sheep Producers Australia, news, 30 November 2018

 

Members and partners of Sheep Producers Australia recently embarked on a two-day fact-finding trip where they observed electronic National Livestock Identification System (sheep) identification technology in use on Victorian farms, and in saleyards and abattoirs.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

Improving your biosecurity safeguards

 

Meat & Livestock Australia, industry news, 30 November 2018

 

Good biosecurity practices are now considered some of the most important aspects of running a livestock enterprise. Biosecurity – including a Farm Biosecurity Plan – forms part of Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accreditation.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

Do you have farm animals as pets? Then you need to know about biosecurity

 

CSIRO, news, 14 December 2018

 

Did you grow up with animals like chickens or pigs as pets? Maybe you still have some today? Keeping these types of animals on your property can really enrich your life. But what a lot of people don’t know is that they can also be carriers for diseases which can infect humans and animals.

 

Read more.

 

 
 
 
 

$5 billion Future Drought Fund​

 

The Hon. David Littleproud MP, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, media release, 3 December 2018

 

The Coalition Government has introduced legislation to establish a new, secure, revenue stream - which will grow to be worth $5 billion - for drought resilience, preparedness and recovery. Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the Future Drought Fund was a forward-looking policy which will pay off for decades to come.

 

"We're guaranteeing long-term revenue to build drought resilience," Minister Littleproud said.

 

Read more.


 
 
 
 

More kids are all right for goat industry

 

NSW Department of Primary Industries, media release, 5 December 2018

 

A new national goat industry research project led by NSW Department of Primary Industries aims to meet international demand for goatmeat by growing kid numbers. Funded by Meat & Livestock Australia, NSW DPI, in collaboration with Charles Sturt University through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, will explore on-farm productivity improvements to boost goat reproductive efficiency and increase supply.

 

Read more.

 
 

QUICK BITS

 
 

Farmers and police build trust to deter rural crime, with many offences going under-reported

 

Lara Webster ABC Rural, 5 December 2018

Many farmers are not reporting crimes on their properties because they believe the perpetrators will not be caught, a study shows.

Read more.

WA drone shot wins AgDay Photo Competition

 

The Land, 6 December

 

A spectacular image captured from a drone on a Western Australian farm has claimed top honours in this year’s National Farmers' Federation (NFF) AgDay Photo Competition.

 

Read more.

Mandatory agriculture classes at NSW public schools raises concerns about city facilities

 

Sophie Trigger, ABC Rural, 30 November 2018


High school students from all public schools in New South Wales will get an insight into where their food comes from, with agriculture classes becoming compulsory for year seven and eight students next year.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

Smartphone cattle weighing technology set to expand

 

Lucy Kinbacher, Farm Online, 4 December 2018

 

A Hungarian developed smartphone accessory is helping producers weigh their cattle without the use of any scales or yard infrastructure.

 

Read more.

Feral deer, pigs and goat populations threaten biosecurity systems

 

Lucy Knight, Weekly Times, 6 December 2018

 

Feral deer and goat populations are threatening Australian biosecurity systems, farmers warn.

 

Read more.

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UPcoming events

 
 
 

12-13 June - 2019 Australian Biosecurity Symposium
The Symposium theme is preventative biosecurity practices and will focus on research and innovation, outside-of-the-box thinking and the exchange of knowledge and ideas across the biosecurity collective – agriculture (animals and plants), pest animals, weeds, wildlife, aquatics and the environment.

 

8-12 July - 5th Australasian Scientific Conference on Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity

The Fifth FRDC Australasian Scientific Conference on Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity will be held at the Pullman Reef Hotel, Cairns. The conference provides a forum for presentation of research, diagnostic, epidemiology, management and policy issues encompassing all areas of aquatic animal health and biosecurity.

 

15-16 August - Plant Biosecurity Research Symposium 2019
The two-day symposium will showcase current plant biosecurity research supported by the Plant Biosecurity Research Innovation member organisations and delivered by a large range of research teams in Australia.

 
 
 
 

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