• Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
• Latest Mallee podcast
• Fox and wild dog bounty collections suspended at two locations
• The Very Fast Break - July out now
• How to find and manage serrated tussock in winter
• Improving safety for Victorian farms
• We need your weevils
• New online training for horticulture workers
• Improving digital literacy and connectivity on-farm
• Think good farm biosecurity
• The Millewa Forum
• Young farmer business network
• What's on

Border restrictions

The Victorian Premier, the Prime Minister and the Premier of New South Wales (NSW) agreed to temporarily close the border between Victoria and NSW from 12.01am on Wednesday 8 July. This closure is being enforced by NSW.

There are also restrictions in place for Victorians travelling into South Australia (SA).

For more information about the NSW border restrictions and cross border management in that state, including entry permits, visit the Service NSW website or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 13 77 88. No permit is required to enter Victoria from NSW.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries provides a coronavirus (COVID-19) concierge service to support primary producers to navigate the current restrictions.

This concierge service can be contacted directly at covidinfo@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

For more information about the South Australian border restrictions, visit the South Australian Government COVID-19 website, or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 1800 253 787.

Restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire

Stage 3 "Stay at home" restrictions were reinstated across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire on Wednesday 8 July.

For people who live in regional Victoria, where case numbers remain low, current restrictions will remain the same for now.

All restrictions are subject to the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and the continued and effective management of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The situation continues to change rapidly so please regularly check the Department of Health and Human Services website for the latest update.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) you should get tested.

People in Victoria can also call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398.

More details about these restrictions is available at Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus (COVID-19) www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Agriculture Victoria has produced a new podcast series focussing on livestock and land management in the Mallee.

The new podcasts, hosted on the Mallee Sustainable Farming website, provide timely information for Mallee farmers through the winter months.

This Friday evening Agriculture Victoria Grains Regional Manager Tony Fay on cutting crops for hay.

Also in production and ready to be released weekly throughout the coming winter months, will be:

• Marketing cattle – with Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Greg Ferrier.
• Weaning Livestock - with Agriculture Victoria Lamb Industry Development Officer Nick Linden.

The podcasts are delivered by Agriculture Victoria with funding from the Victorian Government’s 2019–20 Drought Support Package and can be downloaded here https://msfp.org.au/podcast/

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.

The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections have been suspended at Woori Yallock and Broadford to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

These collection centres will be closed until 11.59pm Wednesday 19 August 2020 in line with the current Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions for those areas.

All other collection centres remain open at the scheduled times.

Due to this, the bounty program will be extended from the end of October 2020 until the end of November 2020, to allow for additional collections across all centres.

Agriculture Victoria intends to reopen Broadford on Thursday 20 August 2020 and Woori Yallock on Thursday 10 September 2020, subject to the advice of the Chief Health Officer in relation to Victoria’s coronavirus (COVID-19) restriction levels.

Hunters are still encouraged to continue to collect fox scalps and wild dog body parts, while following coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions relevant to their area.

These pieces can be frozen or air dried and submitted for reward at an alternative collection centre or when the suspended collection centres reopen, in line with bounty terms and conditions.

All participants are reminded that they must comply with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions when attending collections centres.

All hunters are reminded to use common sense when hunting and when it comes to attending bounty collections.

Stay safe by abiding by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that apply to your area, stay local, practise good hygiene, keep your distance from others and, if you feel unwell, get tested and stay home.

Please continue to check the Agriculture Victoria website for the latest information, as the collection schedule is subject to change in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty

Welcome to the "Very Fast Break" seasonal climate update video for July.

Agriculture Victoria partners with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to bring you this short summary for Victoria.

**WATCH THE VERY FAST BREAK**

Serrated tussock has infested over 250,000 hectares of land in Victoria and has caused great damage to agriculture and native grasslands.

Now is a good time to inspect your property for serrated tussock, due to the increased visibility due to frost bleaching. In frost prone areas, the tussocks are bleached a golden yellow to white colour by frost during late autumn and winter.

Serrated tussock has white swollen leaf bases (like a shallot) while the tips of old leaves often have a bleached fawn tip.

The change in colour makes the plants easier to spot in a paddock, making now a good time to do a survey of your property.

The recent rains and autumn break in some parts of Victoria has been good for crops, but unfortunately, also good for the growth of serrated tussock.

Controlling serrated tussock before the plant goes to seed is critical to prevent further spread, lost productivity and increased control requirements.

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) can be a long-lived perennial that can invade poor soils and survive fire, drought and frost.

Surveying and treating plants over winter and spring is ideal to prevent the huge early summer seeding events. Seeds are spread by the wind, machinery and also by water and animals.

The seed remains viable in the soil for more than 10 years and can dominate if there is no competition from other pasture species.

Depending on the size of the infestation, winter plants can be removed manually using a hoe or spade, or spot sprayed using a registered herbicide when the conditions suit.

Recently germinated seedlings will appear bright green until they are bleached by frost and will be erect and stand out from the other grasses in a pasture.

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) has a host of information on treatment options and case studies, including videos and information sheets that can be posted or email to landowners.

The VSTWP are asking landowners to conduct assessments of their properties before spring, when the grass starts to flower.

Serrated tussock flowerheads develop a distinctive purple colour as the seeds ripen in late spring and early summer.

During winter you will be able to see the plants easily when they are bleached a lighter colour.

The VSTWP has developed an online video and information sheets to help landowners identify the noxious weed, which can be viewed at www.serratedtussock.com, and clicking on identification.

A newly established Farm Safety Council is providing advice to the Victorian Government and agriculture sector on how to reduce injuries and deaths of people on farms in Victoria.

The council, established by Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes has been meeting to provide guidance on the activities that could be prioritised by government to make farms safer and change farm safety culture, ultimately reducing the number of deaths and injuries on farms.

The agricultural sector is overly represented in fatality statistics, making up less than three per cent of the Victorian workforce but more than 30 per cent of workplace deaths.

Victorians who live on or interact with a farm, including children, suppliers and contractors can also be at risk of an unsafe workplace.

The council includes members from ten organisations, including Kidsafe Victoria, National Centre for Farmer Health, Victorian Agriculture Horticulture and Conservation Training Network, Australian Workers Union, Victorian Farmers Federation, United Workers Union, Worksafe Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services, Agriculture Victoria and the Department of Education and Training.

The council creates links with other programs that focus on the safety, health and wellbeing of farmers and their families.

This includes the $6 million Quad Bike Rebate Scheme, mental health support being provided through drought and bushfire recovery, and industry-led services such as Dairy Australia’s farm safety programs.

The Farm Safety Council is part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million Victoria’s Smarter, Safer Farms program and Making our farms safer election commitment, which are addressing skills and safety issues in the agriculture sector.

PHOTO: Philip Burrill

Jim Moran – Victorian Grains Industry Biosecurity Officer Victoria

As part of a continuing, national effort to measure stored grain insect resistance to Phosphine Victorian Grains Industry Biosecurity Officer, Jim Moran wants to visit Victorian farms to collect insects in and around grain storages.

The project is a Grains Research and Development Corporation investment, through grain grower levies and will benchmark current Phosphine resistance distribution in grain storages around Australia. It builds on previous efforts in this important, research area that measured a growing resistance trend.

Armed with contemporary knowledge, policy makers, farmers and chemical industry players can better plan a response to the emerging and serious issue of Phosphine resistance at a national level.

Insect resistance to Phosphine needs to be measured and managed carefully and safely in grain storages, in conjunction with hygiene and other practices.

Insect resistance to Phosphine threatens the livelihood of grain growers.  It leads to wasted time, money and effort in futile treatments, while the insects damage grain which lowers quality, price and marketing opportunities.

This national surveillance project will collect insect samples from grain storages on farms in Australia. This will provide technical data on overall resistance trends and contribute to identification of new resistance hotspots and the efficacy of current resistance management activities.

“We need to know where and what level of resistance exists now to minimise the impact in the future through more informed resistance management strategies,” Mr Moran said.

“In Victoria, I expect to collect insects of various species. Each insect species will be tested for phosphine resistance at the NSW DPI laboratory in Wagga.”

“If growers would like insect samples collected from their property for free testing for the degree of Phosphine resistance, they should contact me. Even if you were involved in the last survey, a re-sample will provide further information on any resistance.”

Once on site, Mr Moran will explain the sampling process and ask the grower questions about the types of grain stored, pesticides used and about any pest problems.

All visits and results are confidential and free. Mr Moran can also provide free biosecurity fence signs and biosecurity Manuals on request. He can be contacted by phone on (03) 5430 4479 or email jim.moran@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Further resources can be found on the GRDC's Stored Grain hub at https://storedgrain.com.au/

New workers starting at Victorian horticulture businesses will be quickly brought up to speed to get to work quicker thanks to an online training package supported by the Victorian Government.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes this week announced $70,000 for SuniTAFE to develop the Horticulture Farm Worker Induction Program, as part of the $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan.

The program will help upskill new workers and allow them to quickly gain an understanding of the horticulture industry. It will also help ensure that a reliable harvesting workforce is trained and ready for the 2020 season and beyond.

The program will be rolled out over the next eight months and includes development of 12 interactive units covering topics such as industry awareness, safety, machinery use and harvesting skills.

Sections of other TAFE-accredited courses will be included to make the transition to certificate and diploma qualifications easier for workers wanting to further upskill in the future.

The training will be free for the industry and jobseekers, including those registered with Working for Victoria.

The induction program is part of the Victorian Government’s broader $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan, supporting regional businesses across Victoria during the coronavirus pandemic.

Other measures in the plan include Business Adaptation Grants to help workplaces meet health and physical distancing requirements, the creation of more than 80 agricultural jobs through catchment management authorities, and funding for worker relocation, transport and training.

For more details or to register interest as a jobseeker or business, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan

Want to know more about improving your digital literacy and connectivity? Need confidence to access technology to improve your on-farm decision making?

CONNECTIVITY WEBINARS

Join extensionAUS and Agriculture Victoria for a series of webinars which will provide a unique opportunity for you to address on-farm connectivity issues and help you to understand available digital technology – how to measure it and how to make it work as best as possible for you and your business.

WEBINAR DATES AND TIMES

Webinar 1 – On-farm connectivity

Tuesday 21 July, 1.30 – 2.30 pm

Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89710895573

Webinar 2 – Getting the most out of video meeting software

Tuesday 28 July, 1.30 – 2.30 pm

Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86270444624

Webinar 3 – Internet of Things (IoT)

Tuesday 4 August, 1.30 – 2.30 pm

Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89327853496

Webinar 4 – Online networking to better communicate on-farm and service farm businesses

Tuesday 11 August, 1.30 – 2.30 pm

Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433966881

Contact: If you need help registering please contact Gavin Beever, Cumbre Consultants on 0438 234 886 or gavin@cumbre.com.au

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AUDIT

An opportunity exists to participate in an on-farm digital technology audit conducted by phone by Agriculture Victoria, to understand the technology you already have available on-farm and how you can improve its efficiency.

Participants will be asked to identify what type of internet connectivity they have, where they have access to WiFi and how they use technology on their farm.

Participants will have time to prepare for the audit and will receive a property map and report of results.

REGISTRATION

To register for the audit please book a time at https://bit.ly/2VbBXBK

Contact: If you need help registering or would like more information please contact Andy Clark, Agriculture Victoria, on 0436 804 656 or andy.clark@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support call 136 186 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

Preference will be given to participants from Central and East Gippsland, the GMID and the Millewa region of North-West Victoria.

Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer

Genuine closed herds are uncommon as most producers have purchased or agisted livestock at some time.

If you consider the time and money spent keeping your herd healthy, add up the investment you have made and consider the steps you should take to protect this investment and prevent the introduction of disease.

Diseases are commonly introduced into herds by the introduction of livestock. Once introduced, they can potentially have a major impact on the health and sale-ability the herd, as well as take time, effort and money to control or eradicate.

Practicing good farm hygiene and biosecurity assists keep diseases off your property.  It also assists prevent the spread of disease from your herd to another.

If your herd is known or suspected to have an infectious disease, you have a duty of care to ensure that other herds are not placed at risk of infection through your action or inaction.

The risk of introducing a disease can be minimised by obtaining a thorough history of the livestock to be introduced.

Background enquiries could include: Did the vendor breed them? Is the vendor's herd closed? Has the vendor provided a declaration relating to the disease status of the properties on which the livestock have been kept? Are the livestock derived from a tested or accredited herd? What is their drenching and vaccination history?

Once the livestock are on your property, it is highly recommended that you quarantine the newly purchased livestock in a separate area.

This is a practical way to reduce the spread of diseases or weeds if they have inadvertently been introduced onto your property.

During the quarantine period, the introduced livestock can be monitored for diseases, including parasites. It also offers you the ideal time to drench and vaccinate before introduction to the rest of your property and your herd.

To help manage your property’s biosecurity risks, it is essential to have your boundary securely fenced to prevent the introduction of stray livestock from neighbouring properties.

If using roadside verges, consider the risk posed by livestock that may have grazed there previously and what weeds could potentially be introduced onto your property.

It is also wise, when bringing supplementary feeds from other properties, to consider the likelihood of introducing weeds.

Rural Assistance Commissioner Peter Tuohey talks about all the decisions he's faced on his farm and how expert independent advice has helped him.

**WATCH** Peter Tuohey - Millewa Forum.

Agriculture Victoria has put together The Millewa Forum: Planning for Success, a series of free webinars designed specifically for farmers in the region, with a focus on business decision making and succession planning. The three webinars include:

• Agronomic planning with David Smith of ORM. Tim will discuss the top and bottom paddocks, crop selection, high return crops verses consistent yielding crops, weed control, grain legumes verses vetch for grazing, hay or brown manure and hostile soils.

• Planning for the future with Mike Krause of P2P-Agri. Mike will talk about the tough questions – why are you farming, what do you want to be doing in five years and what’s your exit plan?

• Improved Decision making with John Gladigau of Bulla Burra Operations. John will discuss looking after yourself and others in times of stress, having a process in place to aid decision making, the risks of emotional decision making, and engaging advisors.

Date and time webinar registration

Friday July 17: 12 - 1 pm Agronomic planning with David Smith bit.ly/2NHrz08

Thursday July 23: 12 - 1 pm Planning for the future with Mike Krause bit.ly/2VwukpI

Thursday July 30: 12 - 1 pm Improved Decision making with John Gladigau bit.ly/3g9rNtj

For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

The webinar is delivered by Agriculture Victoria and funded by the Victorian Government’s 2019–20 Drought Support Package.

Young Farmers of Victoria – this is your network to talk about farm business management with other like-minded young farmers through social media, articles, online and face to face forums.

Click here to join and learn more about the Young Farmer Business Network Facebook group.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website. 

Join Greg Condon, Garry Rosewarne and Michael Moodie for a live online question and answer session.

In a break from tradition and due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, GRDC Grains Research Updates will be delivered in a dynamic online format discussing relevant, timely and farm-ready research relating to broadleaf weed control in pulses, herbicide tolerant pulse varieties and limitations to deep ripping Mallee sands learnt from hindsight.

The GRDC Grains Research Update events are for grain growers and advisers to explore the latest research and discuss its impact and adoption to modern farming systems.

DATE: Tuesday 21 July

TIME: 9.30 – 11 am

REGISTER AT: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/grdc-grains-research-update-sea-lake-live-stream-tickets-108069570996

Young farmers can learn the ins and outs of managing money, debt and talking to banks at the Farm Finance – Getting Prepared online workshop on Friday, 24 July.

The 90-minute online workshop will help young farmers understand the finance options available to achieve their goals.

Host Jane Foster is a Senior Consultant specialising in agribusiness at ORM and brings a wealth of experience in farm debt management and financial data analysis.

The online workshop is free to attend on Friday 24 July at 12.30 pm, and the session will be recorded and made available for those who register.

Registrations (via Zoom) can be made here:
zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0of-ytqjotGtbyo1ynhItVJXApFjOkJM3i

For more information and to register, contact Sarah Wallis on 0419 571 208.

Do you want to make your farm more resilient, sustainable and productive?

Agriculture Victoria and the Glenelg Hopkins CMA invite you to participate in an online whole farm planning course to be run between August and September this year.

Please note first preference will be given to farmers from the Casterton and Coleraine districts of south-west Victoria.

DATES: To be confirmed

DAY: Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks

TIME: 8.30 – 10.30 am

VENUE: Online via Zoom

CONTACT: Tess McDougall on 0409 841 492 or  tess.mcdougall@agriculture.vic.gov.au

RSVP: By email with contact details before Monday 3 August

COST: The course is fully sponsored by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA.

The Rural Press Club of Victoria has launched its 2020 Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards, with increased prize money to recognise the best work across the state.

This year has been challenging for regional journalists and photographers, with many publications reducing or stopping coverage.

To reflect the challenges this year has brought, RPCV award category winners will receive $500 and a trophy, while winners of the overall awards including Journalist of the Year, Photographer of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year will each receive $1,000 and a trophy.

The awards are open to all journalists, photographers and media outlets in Victoria and Tasmania. Journalists and photographers can enter the awards until 31 July.

To enter the awards, you need to be a member of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. You can sign up for membership and enter the awards on the club’s new website ruralpressclubvictoria.com.au

The Grassland Society of Southern Australia is running its 61st Annual Conference - Growing with grasslands.

DATE: 22 July - 19 August

TIME: 7.30 - 9.30 pm AEST

We invite you to join us for the 61st Annual Conference - and our first ever virtual conference!

It will take place online via Zoom from 7.30 - 9.30 pm AEST every Wednesday evening for five weeks.

Find out more at www.grasslands.org.au

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