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| SAVE THE DATE: BestWool/Best Lamb and BetterBeef 2024 industry conference and dinner |
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Plans are currently underway for the Agriculture Victoria BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Conference and dinner to be held in a new location this year in Ballarat on 19-20 June.
The conference will be held over 2 days, 19 June BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef on 20 June.
For further details watch our events page.
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The Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) have released the upcoming shearer and wool handling training course schedule for 2024 that is fully funded by AWI and available for participants who meet certain criteria, with the following offered:
Novice Shearing and Wool Handling course
This is a 5-day practical shearing course for new entrant shearers to learn the skills required to be a professional shearer.
Improver school
This training is intended for those already working in industry and have experience in shearing. With limited spots available, it is recommended to register early.
If you are interested in attending any of the above courses, please contact the AWI team at ghaynes@swti.edu.au.
To view the full 2024 schedule visit the AWI website.
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Beef and sheep producers in the Colac area are invited to a free farm business success workshop presented by Agriculture Victoria and Pinion Advisory.
Understanding finance can be overwhelming and this workshop will help farm businesses have a better understanding of their financial position. The workshop will support farmers to build skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage their farm business finances.
Click here to register.
For more information email Hannah Manning or call on 0400 532 595.
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Join Agriculture Victoria and sheep veterinarian Dr Ben Blomfield from the Mackinnon Project for a free workshop. At this interactive workshop you will identify local health issues and learn about their prevention and treatment option solutions to create an animal health plan for your flock.
An animal health plan is an important tool for farmers to minimise biosecurity risks and increase animal performance.
The workshop will discuss local animal health issues, solutions, prevention and treatment. Each farmer will create their own animal health plan. Participants will also learn more about the legal requirements of record keeping.
Click here to register
Event contact: Hannah Manning, Livestock Industry Development Officer.
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Young farmers in Western Victoria are invited to register for Agriculture Victoria’s ‘Cultivating Futures in Farming’ Mentor Program.
The free program will provide young farmers in grains/mixed farming enterprises with the tools and resources to enhance their farm business management.
The program will be delivered by Pinion Advisory. Their team of skilled consultants will provide mentoring on a variety of topics including:
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risk management
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opportunity identification
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people management
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leasing and share farming
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natural resource management
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Limited spots available.
Click here to register.
Event contact: tanya.dobrijevic@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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| SAVE THE DATE – Net Zero: Better for business |
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Paraway Pastoral Company would like to extend an open invitation to attend the upcoming Field Day at Barton Station, Moyston, Victoria on the 22 May.
Following on from the success of our previous day at 'Burindi' where we embarked on the journey of 'Getting Started towards Net Zero'.
Paraway extends an invitation to our second field day focusing on 'Net Zero: Better for Business'. It promises to be a day filled with invaluable learning and networking opportunities.
Join us as we delve into Paraway’s journey, and explore the 'why' behind working in Net Zero. Listen to insights from leading industry representatives and participate in engaging panel discussions featuring guest speakers, before finishing the day with a farm tour at Barton.
We kindly ask all attendees to register for the event via Eventbrite using this link: Eventbrite Registration Link.
Further information will be provided in due course. In the meantime, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us.
Industry stalls:
If you’re interested in showcasing your business and products at the Field Day, we welcome you to complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form attached to this email. Due to space limitations, we encourage early submissions to secure your spot.
Promotion:
We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this invitation and event information throughout your network via newsletters, social media platforms, or any other relevant communication channels. Your support in spreading the word about this important event will be instrumental in making it a success.
For further information please contact Paraway Pastoral Co at events@paraway.com.au
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Free AWI womens shearing workshop
The two day womens shearing workshop will be held on the 28 and 29 May at Kaniva.
The workshop will focus on:
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timing
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technique
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footwork and gear.
For registrations or further information contact Glen Haynes on 0427 435 244 or ghaynes@swti.edu.au
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| SAVE THE DATE: Livestock Conference 2024 |
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The Southern Australia Livestock Research Council (SALRC) is excited to announce their third biennial Livestock Conference with the overarching theme of Environmental challenges and opportunities for Australian livestock industries.
Sessions will include keynote speakers and group workshop activities and cover the following:
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Improving land, air and water
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Solutions for human capacity
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Economic considerations and market impacts.
Click here for more information about the upcoming conference.
If you would like to register for conference updates you can join the mailing list here.
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| BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Coordinator Conference |
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Caption; Bestwool/Bestlamb (BWBL) and BetterBeef group coordinators attended the annual Coordinator Conference recently at Lancefield, north of Melbourne
BWBL and BetterBeef Group coordinators are a mix of predominantly private livestock industry consultants and advisors, as well as Agriculture Victoria sheep and beef extension officers.
There are 63 BWBL and BetterBeef producer groups around Victoria made up of 1254 beef and sheep producers, and 31 group coordinators. Each group has a coordinator who is funded by Agriculture Victoria, Australian Wool Innovation (BWBL groups) and membership fees paid by each group member annually.
Each group meets between 4 and 6 times per year, -usually on-farm. The coordinator’s role includes facilitating the development of an annual plan of activities in consultation with the group, and ensuring the plan is delivered over the year.
The plan is a reflection of the collective goals and interests of group members which usually includes addressing priority farm management and production questions that the group have. The outcome of the plan is that members have improved skills, knowledge and confidence to implement changes in their livestock enterprise, then go ahead and implement those changes.
Group sessions provide a safe environment for members to discuss the successes and challenges involved with farming amongst trusted industry peers, especially during difficult times like droughts, and after a natural disaster.
This year’s Coordinator Conference had a focus on annual planning, as well as industry updates from both AWI and MLA, and some time for the all-important networking.
The coordinators took part in 2 highly interactive sessions with Dr Kristy Howard from Inspiring Excellence who is currently engaged to find opportunities to improve the annual planning process, and develop new resources to support coordinators in this critical phase of a group’s annual calendar.
The conference also included an interactive session by Carlyn Sherriff from Pinion Advisory. When developing an annual plan, the coordinator needs to know what topics the group want to include in their plan and work out where they want to go with that topic.
This can be a challenging thing for groups to decide on. Carlyn’s work will provide additional resources for coordinators to use to complete this task more efficiently and effectively.
For more information on the BetterBeef network, please email Darren Hickey, or for more information on the BestWool/BestLamb network, please email Alison Desmond.
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| EOI for on-farm demonstration opportunity – NOW OPEN |
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Is there a technology, innovation or research finding that you’re keen to test on farm?
Agriculture Victoria in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) are conducting a producer demonstration program with the opportunity to establish 5 new demonstrations.
The program is inviting expressions of interest from Victorian sheep and beef producer groups to design and conduct their own 3-year projects.
The demonstrations are conducted on group members’ farms (preferably 3 sites per project per year) and involve participation by members in group activities, including skill development, site monitoring and discussion of results.
The program aims to increase adoption of key management practices or commercially available technologies that improve business profitability, farm productivity and sustainability.
Selected projects will focus on demonstrating systems or technologies in one of 4 priority areas:
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manage and adapt to a changing climate or specific regional conditions (e.g. addressing feed gaps, grazing system, enterprise mix)
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reduce emissions or emissions intensity, (e.g. reproductive efficiencies, feed types and quality, soil fertility management)
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manage animal health and welfare risks resulting from increasing/ emerging biosecurity threats in a changing climate
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implement on-farm innovations that improve production and management efficiencies – (e.g. recent research findings, genetics, ag tech).
Expressions of interest close on Monday, 13 May.
For more information and to receive an expression of interest form, please click here or contact Bindi Hunter, Project Leader Farming Systems Demonstration.
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WorkSafe, in collaboration with the below organisations, have developed safe work practices around cattle handling.
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Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association
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Apiam Animal Health
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Australian Herd Improvement Association
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Livestock and Rural Transporters Association Victoria
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Pro-Way livestock equipment
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ClipEx fencing and stockyards
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Agriculture Victoria
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Meat & Livestock Australia
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Victorian Farmers Federation.
As we know, primary producers and cattle service businesses regularly work together to improve herds and get cattle to market. There are many elements to cattle production, from animal nutrition and welfare to marketing. Often people working with cattle put themselves second to get the job done.
Developed with cattle industry stakeholders, our resources offer practical advice to keep your business running smoothly and efficiently with safety in mind so all those working with cattle can return home safely each day.
Click here to visit the WorkSafe Website for tools on safer cattle handling.
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| Nuffield Drought Resilience Scholarships now open |
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Applications opened in March for Nuffield Australia’s 2025 scholarship program, which for the second year, includes scholarships aimed at drought resilience study topics.
The Future Drought Fund (FDF) is investing $1.6 million dollars through Nuffield from 2024-25 to help farmers increase their knowledge of drought resilience, adapt innovative technology and practices from overseas and share these learnings to better prepare themselves and their communities for a changing climate.
Scholars will have the opportunity to travel overseas to study drought resilience and learn from international leaders in the field.
Each scholarship is valued at $35,000 and farmers and others working in food and fibre production aged between 28 and 45 should apply now.
Find out more about the Nuffield Drought Resilience Scholarships and apply at: nuffield.com.au/how-to-apply
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| Gra$$ to Dollars group session |
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Agriculture Victoria's flood recovery and MDC Innovative Beef and Sheep Networks projects have supported the delivery of the first MLA Profitable Grazing System Grass to Dollars course in Victoria in Skipton.
The course is an updated version of the highly popular and effective Prograze Program. The Skipton course is being delivered by its author Tim Prance, a leading agronomist in southern Australia and Jess Revel of Rumenate Livestock Nutrition. Indi Lamond, an MLA Livestock Advisor Intern Program participant is being mentored during the program by Tim and Jess.
In a recent session, the Skipton group covered the sheep session of the Gra$$ to Dollars Program, which was hosted by Stud Park South Merinos. The group began by discussing what they had learnt in the previous session, which focused on feed budgeting and worked through a scenario of some merino wethers grazing a budgeting summer crop.
The group then moved onto the focus for the sheep session, which was nutritional requirements of sheep. The session covered matching timing of lambing to the feed supply and the pasture availability and/or how to manage supplementary feeding to maximise the value of the additional feed.
The group condition scored some young ewes who were coming up to their 2nd joining and discussed the condition of the ewes and where they were in the production cycle. They headed out to the paddock to look at the feed on offer and discuss the seasonal conditions leading up to this point and what options were available for the rest of the season.
The group finished the day by completing a few scenarios in the workbook and discussing the next session which would focus on feed requirement for cattle and pull together all the individual sessions to make more informed decisions.
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| FeedingLivestock - What's new? |
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Check out the FeedingLivestock website for all resources, tables and tools related to feeding and nutrition of beef cattle and sheep.
Our faithful sheep and cattle drought feeding books are there as well as useful tables and a range of ration and water calculators.
Have you seen the articles on building a feed wedge after the autumn break using deferred autumn grazing?
How it works and farmers comments and tips are in the Latest News.
Click here to visit the FeedingLivestock site.
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| PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY SERIES 2023 RECORDINGS |
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How to attract and keep good staff
This webinar features Mick Hay, Managing Director of Rimfire Resources, who discusses farm labour and how to attract and retain good staff.
The webinar covers:
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What you need to prioritise to recruit for retention?
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How to attract staff in a candidate driven market? The current unemployment rate is at 3.6% and not predicted to rise above 4.6% for next 3-4 years
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Workforce skill sets are changing – how will this impact your farm business?
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Employees want to work for employers of choice – how brand, reputation and social impact can help you become an employer of choice?
Click here to watch
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Seasonal update - forecast implications
This webinar features Phil Graham, from Graham Advisory, who presents a current seasonal update and implications of this for producers.
The webinar covers:
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How to assess your exposure to a dry spring because the impact across southern Australia will be variable this year?
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What online resources are available to help producers assess current soil moisture?
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How to make the most of a below average spring through better pasture quality?
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The benefits of a dry summer such as lowering worm burden on pastures.
Click here to watch.
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This webinar features Dr Penny Schulz, of Shulz Livestock, who discusses the following:
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not meeting target market specifications can impact your profitability
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selection and breeding programs can influence your ability to hit your target market more consistently and efficiently
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to use all the data, feedback, and tools to assess your performance and make improvements to your breeding program.
Click here to watch.
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This webinar features Basil Doonan, of Pinion Advisory, who outlines ways to deal with the surplus, while better utilising feed to reduce waste.
The webinar covers:
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measurement – pasture supply and animal demand
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dealing with surplus
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maintaining persistency and quality
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prioritising feed based on animal needs
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dealing in liveweight
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marginal cost of conserving and feeding.
Click here to watch.
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BWBL Networks contact: Alison Desmond, Project Leader
M: 0409 424 274 E: alison.desmond@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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| National sheep producer survey |
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Time is running out to win 1 of 4 $500 EFZTPOS gift cards. Sheep producers and wool growers your feedback on this survey is invaluable and will help support reporting in the Sheep Sustainability Framework.
Click here to participate.
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| Understanding flystrike: Help us beat the flies |
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Woolgrowers! Want a personalised flystrike report from blowfly experts? AWI is partnering with Deakin University on an Australian Research Council funded project to explore the relationship between flies and merino’s and the key factors of susceptibility (like fleece rot).
The project will run across 3 consecutive flystrike seasons (Feb 2024 to May 2024; Sept 2024 to May 2025; Sept 2025 to May 2026) across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Researchers will partner with woolgrowers over the 3 years, with key activities for involved growers to include:
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participation in a series of questionnaires
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assisting Deakin researchers with non-invasive sampling of breech area including skin swabs, wool samples (if available) and collection of maggots/flies from flystruck merinos
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allowing Deakin researchers to set up fly traps at farm sites throughout the project.
For further info and for EOI’s please contact Professor Michelle Harvey.
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| Merino ewe mortality industry survey |
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Do you want to help reduce merino ewe mortalities?
Your valuable input is sought for an MLA/AWI funded research project on merino ewe mortality.
Participate in the industry survey to contribute insights shaping on-farm trials commencing in 2024.
Complete the survey here.
The survey closes on 13 May.
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BetterBeef Networks contact: Darren Hickey, Project Leader
M: 0457 609 140 E: darren.hickey@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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| Tech Note: Safe cattle handling and equipment for your safety |
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Farms are hazardous workplaces. Agriculture makes up just 2% of Victoria’s workforce, however 14% of workplace deaths occur on farms. Cattle handling is one of the top 3 causes of fatalities on farms. Every death and injury is preventable.
For owners, managers and employees on cattle farms, the Worksafe Victoria website provides a range of new and updated practical resources and information to support producers implement safer cattle handling practices, and checklists to identify aspects of cattle handling facilities that need repair, upgrades or replacing.
Items on the checklist include but are not limited to:
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Gates
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replace or repair damaged/bent gates
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gates swing easily and in the correct direction
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check hinges and clearance of the gate from the ground
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working latches – gates stay shut when they should be shut and open when they should be open.
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Yard Surfaces
Yards that are boggy or slippery and poorly drained are unsafe for both operators and stock. Handling stock in the mud is no fun and slows everything down.
Crushes
Come in a range of shapes and sizes and the like yards themselves represent a significant investment in your cattle handling equipment on farm. They are an essential item for safe and efficient cattle handling. More and more veterinary practices are now insisting on minimum standards of cattle handling equipment for their staff, and a safe crush is one of them.
Yards
Yard design is a science. While engineering factors are critical in yard design and construction, so is operator safety and animal behaviour. If you are looking at new yards or an upgrade, also consider new technology such RFID scanning and weighing, auto drafters, and remotely controlled (pneumatic) gates.
Training and Induction
It is essential that you, any family members working on the farm and employees are trained in safe / low stress cattle handling and in the use of any cattle handling equipment on the farm. It is normal for workplaces to insist that any contractors undergo an induction prior to commencing their work. Farms are no different.
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While operator and animal safety and welfare are the main reasons why cattle handling practices and facilities should be at a high standard, there are also many productivity and efficiency gains to be had as well.
Ensure you have a regular inspection schedule for your cattle handling facilities and make a plan now to repair/upgrade any of handing facilities that have been neglected and needs attention.
Not only will you find the working with cattle more pleasant and less risky, but your family, workers, your vet and other service providers who work on your farm will thank you.
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