• Managing serrated tussock after wildfire
• Young Farmers Advisory Council EOI now open
• On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
• The On-farm Drought Resilience Grant Program
• Look over the farm gate grants
• 2020 Fox and wild dog bounty
• What's on?

A consequence of fire that often goes unnoticed is weed invasion. The introduction and spread of weeds during emergency response and recovery activities is a real possibility as weeds can be inadvertently spread by vehicles, machinery and livestock, and possibly within donated stockfeed.

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is a weed to watch for, particularly if stockfeed of unknown origins has entered your property.

It grows through the autumn and winter months, with seed development occurring in late spring. Serrated tussock can be easily mistaken for native tussock and a lone serrated tussock plant may easily go unnoticed. Once established, sizable infestations can be difficult to eliminate and costly to control.

Serrated tussock is well adapted to spread after fire, with the established plants recovering after a burn. This can lead to a total dominance of serrated tussock due to the lack of other pasture grasses and competition.

Regular inspections, and treatment or removal of new plants is recommended. Post-fire can be a good opportunity to spot serrated tussock plants, with their characteristic greenness in summer and the lack of other grasses.

Successful treatments can be conducted during this period, which can set landowners up for a better spring and pasture recovery.
Further information can be found on the VSTWP website

Expressions of Interest are now open to join the Young Farmers Advisory Council.

The Victorian Government is seeking enthusiastic, skilled and dynamic young people, from all agricultural industries and regions, to join the Young Farmers Advisory Council.

Council members represent the interests of young farmers and provide advice to government on issues and program delivery affecting young people in agriculture.

For more information and to express your interest go to www.getonboard.vic.gov.au

Expressions of Interest close on 22 March 2020.

The Landcare Australia Bushfire recovery grants 2020 program will support landcare and community environmental groups as well as networks located in bushfire affected areas across Australia.

Applications close Friday, 13 March 2020.

The aim of the program is to support the urgent needs of the landcare community to restore essential wildlife habitat, shelterbelts and fences, protect our waterways, manage weeds and feral animals, work with Traditional Owner groups and run local community workshops, amongst other recovery activities.

To find out more information click here

The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is now available for the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock.

The scheme is available to eligible farm businesses in a number of local government areas, including: Campaspe, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Loddon, Strathbogie, Swan Hill, Mildura and Buloke.

Farm businesses outside of the above local government areas can make an application if they can demonstrate a critical water need for livestock resulting from current seasonal conditions.

These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The scheme is available for water infrastructure purchased since 1 July 2018 – guidelines and application details can be obtained from Rural Finance, call 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.au

Farmers in the GMID are reminded that the $5000 On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant can be used to purchase seed and fertiliser to restore dry pastures.

With recent rainfall in the region, now is a good time to invest in on-farm infrastructure that will improve drought preparedness and better position your farm business into the future.

The infrastructure component of this grant must have been purchased or undertaken on or after 2 October 2019.

For more information and to access the grant call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.au

For more information about other drought and dry seasonal conditions support from Agriculture Victoria go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

Farmers and communities facing drought and dry conditions across northern and north west Victoria should apply now for funding under the Look Over the Farm Gate Program.

Look Over the Farm Gate events are an opportunity for farmers to take a break from the farm, reconnect with their community, access professional support and participate in mental health training.

You know what your community needs, so we encourage community groups to think creatively about what single event or series of events would be most effective.

It could be anything from a barbeque and comedy night, regular fitness meet-ups in the park, or a family movie night.

Look Over the Farm Gate is a mental health and wellbeing initiative funded by the Victorian Government and managed by the Victorian Farmers Federation in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Country Women’s Association, Country Fire Authority, and National Centre for Farmer Health.

Applications are still being accepted for events and are assessed on a first in best dressed basis.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit the website at lookoverthefarmgate.org.au

The Victorian Government’s fox and wild dog bounty has resumed in March 2020.

Effective fox and wild dogs management requires an integrated approach utilising all available management practices including poison baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing, fumigation and appropriate animal husbandry. Hunting can play an important role in supporting an integrated management approach.

Benalla collections (fox only) Depot, 89 Sydney Rd, Benalla
Time: 10 am – noon
Dates:

• Wednesday, 1 April
• Wednesday, 29 April
• Wednesday, 27 May
• Wednesday, 24 June

Broadford collections (fox only) 5 Mollinson St, Broadford
Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Dates:

• Thursday, 2 April
• Thursday, 30 April
• Thursday, 28 May
• Thursday, 25 June

Ovens collections (fox and wild dog), 5338 Great Alpine Rd, Ovens
Time: 1.30 – 3.30 pm
Dates:

• Tuesday, 31 March
• Tuesday, 28 April
• Tuesday, 26 May
• Tuesday, 23 June

Mansfield collections (fox and wild dog), Depot, 128 Highett St, Mansfield
Time: 2 – 4 pm
Dates:

• Wednesday, 1 April
• Wednesday, 29 April
• Wednesday, 27 May
• Wednesday, 24 June

Tatura collections (fox only) Depot, 255 Ferguson Rd, Tatura
Time: 11.30 am – 1.30 pm
Dates:

• Monday, 30 March
• Monday, 27 April
• Monday, 25 May
• Monday, 22 June

Wodonga collections (fox and wild dog), 14 Moorefield Park Drive, Wodonga
Time: 9 – 11am
Dates:

• Tuesday, 31 March
• Tuesday, 28 April
• Tuesday, 26 May
• Tuesday, 23 June

For full details on bounty collection times and locations, terms and conditions, and frequently asked questions, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Agriculture Victoria is holding practical, hands-on workshops in February and March for sheep, goat and cattle producers on how to use the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.

The workshops will walk producers through their NLIS requirements and navigation, completion of movement transactions and reporting functions on the NLIS database. Participants will also learn how to update their Property Identification Code (PIC) details.

The aim was for producers to understand their livestock traceability requirements and how to manage their NLIS database account.

The recent bushfire events across Victoria has demonstrated just how important it is to keep PIC details up-to-date.

Dates and locations (all sessions run from 10 am to 3pm, with lunch provided).

• Seymour - Friday 13 March at DELWP, 15 Hume and Hovell Road, Seymour
• Echuca - Wednesday 25 March at Agriculture Victoria, Corner Ogilvie Ave/Annesley Street, Echuca

Plus, if you are unable to attend one of our workshops, there will be a webinar - Monday 16 and 23 March.

For further information on NLIS requirements and PICS is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/national-livestock-identification-system

Numbers are limited so please register early at agriculturevictoriaevents.eventbrite.com.au

For more information on the workshops, or to register over the phone, please contact Kirstie Anderson at Agriculture Victoria on (03) 5761 1647.

'Restoring your Garden after Fire' at Walwa at Corryong
Wednesday 11 March

Jane Edmanson, Gardening Australia presenter, is coming to the Upper Murray to Talk about 'Restoring your garden after fire'.

Walwa Bush Nursing Centre 10 am – 12 pm

and then

Corryong RSL Hall from 1.30-3.30 pm.

Please register for catering by 9 March by emailing umlandcare@bigpond.com or calling (02) 6072 7502 or 0427 437 439.

Small Business Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are hosting free workshops across regional Victoria to help businesses make the most of the digital economy and reduce their cybersecurity risks. 

Topics include Developing an online presence, Understanding and using digital tools and Managing your cybersecurity and safety plan.

Bookings are essential.

• Wangaratta, 12 March from 5.30 – 7.30 pm
• Wodonga  12 March from 1 – 3 pm
• Kyabram  6 May from 5.30 – 7.30 pm
• Shepparton  26 February from 9 – 11 am

To find out more and to book, click here

Click here