• Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
• Boost your farm business skills with a mentor
• Do you need seasonal workforce assistance?
• Dairy Farm Monitor Project – GippsDairy industry briefing
• Optimistic results from intercropping project
• Housing order ends in the Golden Plains Shire
• Warm humid conditions are ideal for flystrike
• Helping mobile exhibitors care for their animals
• Top tips for selling and transporting livestock
• Have your say on a new animal welfare act
• Promising step for Victorian industrial hemp
• Young farmers regional wellbeing survey
• Celebrate your big crop
• Partners in Wellbeing hotline
• The THRIVE AUSTRALIA Challenge
• Fox and wild dog bounty collection schedule for South East Victoria
• AgVic Podcast – check out the current episodes
• Primary producers bushfire support programs
• What's on – upcoming webinars

Safely reopening Victoria

The coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap for reopening provides steps on easing restrictions, dependent on how many active coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are in the community and public health advice.

From 11.59 pm on 18 October 2020, restrictions are easing in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Read the Statement from the Premier or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more details.

Information for the agriculture industry

The Victorian Government continues to recognise the critical importance of the agriculture and food sector and will ensure our farms and agribusinesses can keep operating – to keep supermarket shelves stocked and food on Victorian tables.

Business and industry must operate in Victoria based on the following six COVIDSafe principles to ensure reopening is safe, steady and sustainable:

• ensure physical distancing (1.5 metres)
• wear a mask or face covering
• practise good hygiene
• keep good records and act quickly if staff become unwell
• avoid interactions in close spaces
• create workforce bubbles.

COVIDSafe Plans are required for regional Victorian businesses

From 11.59 pm on 13 September 2020, it is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

To ensure compliance, random spot checks are underway in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Your COVIDSafe Plan must set out:

• your actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
• the level of face covering or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
• how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
• this plan must demonstrate how you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees.

Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans routinely, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes. Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.

If you own a business in a high-risk industry, you must have a High Risk COVIDSafe plan.

High-risk industries include: construction, warehousing and distribution, supermarket and medical distribution centres, abattoirs and meat processing facilities.

For more information and for templates and guidance on how to create your COVIDSafe Plan, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Agriculture Victoria has an exciting new mentoring program for young farmers. There will be 10 available places in the 2021 program.

Agriculture Victoria Young Farmer Coordinator Sarah Wallis said this pilot program is designed to build a mentoring relationship between a young or new entrant farmer and an experienced farmer, which will be facilitated by a private consultant.

"This program offers young or inexperienced farmers an opportunity to build their professional support networks and learn one-on-one from a farmer who has years of farming experience and industry knowledge behind them," Ms Wallis said.

"Mentee’s, with the benefit of their mentor’s knowledge and experience, will make better decisions, and thrive in their pursuit to be a successful farmer. In this way, mentors can ensure their knowledge, skills, and wisdom are passed on to the next generation of farmers."

The young farmer mentee will be supported by their mentor to develop their skills in:

• managing their farm business
• identifying risks
• developing strategies to build resilience and achieve their business goals.

Applications must be submitted by 5 pm on Thursday 5 November 2020.

The Young Farmer Mentoring Program will be facilitated by private consultants who will match young farmers with a suitable, experienced farmer.

More information on the Young Farmer Program and the application process.

For more information please contact Sarah Wallis, Young Farmer Coordinator at Sarah.Wallis@agriculture.vic.gov.au

If you’re a vegetable, fruit, berry, grape or grains producer, the Victorian Government can provide you with the support you need to find workers for this season’s harvest.

The Victorian Government can connect you with jobseekers, provide assistance with worker accommodation and transport, as well as support you to help make your business COVIDSafe.

Seasonal Workforce Coordinators and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Engagement Officers are available in horticulture production areas, working on the ground with farmers, employers and labour-hire companies to help address workforce needs.

Farmers can register their Business workforce requirements at the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria - the online platform which matches jobseekers with employers. Visit vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

To support Victorian agribusinesses through the upcoming summer harvest, applications for Business Adaptation Grants, and support for worker induction and retraining are open until the end of 2020.

For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan

GippsDairy industry briefing: Monday 26 October, 12 – 1 pm

Profit improved for surveyed farms in Gippsland during 2019–20, as reported in the latest Dairy Farm Monitor.

More details in the full report on the Agriculture Victoria website or sign up to the industry briefing on Monday (26 October) from 12 –1 pm on the GippsDairy website here.

Further information on the Dairy Farm Monitor Project is available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

For information about the briefings or if you need assistance registering or joining the webinar please contact Claire Waterman on 0408 785 368 or claire.waterman@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Intercropping is commonly used in backyard gardening, with the benefits well recognised, for example growing basil with your tomatoes.

To determine the potential of intercropping in broadacre systems, a state-wide project has been established.

Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist Meredith Mitchell said the project will determine if intercropping of two crop species when sown together within one space, could increase production and profits.

“Four species mixtures are being evaluated: field pea/canola, faba bean/wheat, faba bean/canola and barley/canola,” Dr Mitchell said.

These mixtures have been sown in different densities, ranging from a 50:50 mix where each species is sown at half its normal rate to 25:75 where one species is sown at a quarter and the second at three quarters of their normal rates. These are then compared with ‘monocultures’ where each species is sown at their full rate with no companion.

Dr Mitchell said the crops have been sown in combinations to provide a mixture of functional groups – oilseeds, cereals and legumes. They are sown together to complement their use of nutrients, light and water.

“This can be achieved via different root systems that access different spaces in the soil profile; different canopy structures that can maximise light capture and provide physical support; and utilisation of nitrogen fixed by the legume component. It is about synergy and the value of plants working together.

“In the second year of our research the experiment is showing intercropping has the potential to increase yield, value and profitability in cropping regions of southern Australia.

“In 2019, six out of eight mixes evaluated had a small, but positive yield advantage, up to 20 per cent, over the monocultures.”

In Australia, intercropping is not widely adopted due to perceived additional labour requirements and the added complexity of managing and harvesting mixed species.

Dr Mitchell said new herbicide options available for a range of crops make intercropping systems a possibility for broadacre cropping.

“Experimental plots were harvested with a conventional header and then the grains separated post-harvest. Further research is being undertaken to examine profitability and risk in a whole-farm context.”

The project is part of the Victorian Grains Innovation Partnership between the Victorian Government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), which aims to increase the profitability of southern grain growers through world-class research.

This research is part of a project that has core experimental sites at Rutherglen, Hamilton and Horsham.

In 2020, in addition to the core experimental sites there are also six satellite sites. The ‘Intercropping to exploit rainfall for profit’ project is a three-year investment.

More information about the project is available in two GRDC podcasts featuring Agriculture Victoria researchers at https://bit.ly/36ZaLNd and https://bit.ly/30ZXYGA.

The housing order in place in the Restricted Area of the Golden Plains Shire to help manage detections of avian influenza ended at 11.59 pm on Monday 19 October.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said the end of the housing order coincided with a reduction in the size of the Control Area to reflect the progression of the response to eradicate avian influenza detections in the Shire.

"While this is another step in the right direction I strongly encourage bird owners in the Golden Plains Shire to continue to practise good biosecurity and take steps to stop their poultry mixing with wild birds.

"The end of the housing order and the refining of the Control Area reflects the progression in the management of this outbreak and therefore a reduction in restrictions placed on bird owners.

"As we have said throughout this response we are taking an incremental approach to our management to be confident that the threat of avian influenza has been eliminated and that if the situation changes we can respond quickly.

"Information and intelligence gathered so far, along with no new detections, means we are able to take this step.

"Our surveillance operations, including swabbing and testing birds, will also continue to monitor the viral load of avian influenza in the area.

"Other measures will remain in place, however, until the end of the outbreak, so please check the Agriculture Victoria website to understand what those are," he said.

"We are grateful for the efforts of both industry and the community for their assistance with this response, whether it has been supporting our ongoing surveillance efforts or reporting dead or sick birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline."

Dr Cooke said all poultry and captive bird owners must continue to follow good biosecurity practices in order to prevent a recurrence of the disease at any time. These include:

• keep drinking water and feed away from wild birds, pets and vermin
• ensure birds’ feed and water is clean from droppings or animal waste
• keep domestic birds away from potentially contaminated water sources such as streams, dams, ponds
• feed your birds good quality feed from a reputable feed-mill
• regularly clean your chicken coop, including feeders, drinkers and equipment
• frequently replace nesting materials.

Report sick or dead birds to the all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information about maintaining good biosecurity practices go to the Agriculture Victoria website.

Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer

With the warm, humid weather we are currently experiencing, conditions are ideal for flystrike. Flystrike is a significant cause of lost production and welfare concerns in sheep.

Flystrike costs the Australian sheep industry approximately $173 million annually, due to lost production, treatment costs and deaths. Reducing the risk of flystrike has immense benefits to the health and wellbeing of the sheep and productivity.

The major fly responsible for flystrike in sheep is the green blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, and is thought to be responsible for 90 per cent of flystrike cases.

This fly has a well-developed sense of smell and is attracted to odour, moisture, blood, rain affected wool, fleece rot and daggy wool, and it becomes more active with increasing temperature and humidity.

The other primary cause of flystrike in Australia is the common brown blowfly.

This is a bigger and slower blowfly, which is not as active, but can cause just as much damage as Lucilia cuprina. Other species of flies can also be present in a fly struck sheep.

The timely use of appropriate preventive treatments is essential to limit the severity of flies and flystrike.

Sheep producers are encouraged to carefully watch weather conditions, and for the presence of flies. They must also consider the type of sheep they have and any conditions that may lead to the opportunity for flystrike to occur.

Sheep should be monitored more regularly and more closely during danger periods.

There are a number of treatment options available and the proper application and choice of treatment will depend on the length of wool, time off shears and the future of the sheep.

Careful consideration of product choice is essential, and producers should take into consideration the relevant Withholding Periods (WHP) and Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) of any product used, and ensure they follow the product label directions and record the usage of all products.

For information on these different treatments and applications contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria veterinarian or animal health officer, or visit www.wool.com/flystrikelatest or www.flyboss.org.au

Animal exhibitors who have been impacted by coronavirus restrictions will get help to cover the costs of food and care for their animals, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes last week announced a $1 million support package that will help animal exhibitors such as mobile petting zoos and travelling reptile exhibitors to ensure their animals are looked after while their businesses remain unable to operate.

The Support Package for Animal Exhibitors will provide funding to purchase feed and to cover the specialised costs associated with housing and caring for exhibit animals.

Animal exhibitors play an important role in the community, letting people get up close to native wildlife and other animals, raise awareness about Australian native animals, and learn where our food and fibre comes from.

Restrictions that have been put in place to protect Victorians during the global pandemic have significantly limited the ability of animal exhibitors to operate as they normally would through school visits, field days, corporate events, and being open to the public.

The funding recognises the impact of the restrictions on animal exhibitors and the ongoing need to provide food, housing and other essential welfare requirements.

Animal exhibitors can apply for support online at Agriculture Victoria’s website.

Agriculture Victoria has created a livestock transport checklist to help farmers prepare and plan their trips.

Agriculture Victoria technical specialist Kirstie Anderson said the transport of cattle, sheep or goats involves rules and regulations across a number of agencies.

“The new ‘Transporting livestock responsibilities and recommendations’ webpage provides everything farmers need to be across from market expectations to curfews, animals being fit to load, planning the journey and getting the paperwork right,” she said.

“If you’re selling livestock, either for slaughter over the hooks, to the saleyard or in a private sale, it’s important to consider whether the stock meet your customer’s requirements.”

“Meeting market specifications can lead to higher prices compared to selling stock that is outside the specifications and can help to create a good relationship with your supply chain,” Ms Anderson said.

“The page provides a checklist of everything you need to be ready for market, to plan your journey and to get the paperwork right.”

The checklist includes links to resources relating to market specifications such as age or dentition, weight, fat or condition scores, withholding periods, Livestock Production Assurance (LPA), Meat Standards Australia (MSA) or other quality assurance program information.

Producers, stock agents and transporters can access curfew advice and information as well as links to MSA handling requirements and standards to better understand specific supply chains.

The page has links to Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, including the handy and easy to use booklet ‘Is the animal fit to load?’.

“Good preparation can ensure better animal welfare, minimize transport-related losses and can support better eating quality outcomes,” Ms Anderson said.

“We’ve included reminders about ‘spelling periods’ for livestock if a journey is going to take longer than the maximum time allowed, as well as maximum times off feed and water to help producers put their best plan forward.”

For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website, or contact Kirstie Anderson on 0437 990 967.

Victorians have the chance to help improve animal welfare in Victoria by shaping new legislation, with a Directions Paper setting out key proposals and options for a new Animal Welfare Act now available for public comment.

Victorians are being encouraged to have their say on the options for the new laws, which will help keep a high standard of animal welfare and support Victorian farmers to maintain access to important export markets.

A new Act will deliver on the government’s election commitment to replace the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 – which is more than 30 years old.

The Directions Paper sets out several proposals for the new Act which aim to strengthen Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, and to maintain public confidence in our agriculture industry, research institutions, and many other animal sectors.

Among the proposals put forward for comment are setting minimum standards of care people must provide for animals.

This would mean people caring for animals must meet basic needs of the animal – such as providing adequate food and water, and veterinary treatment for an injury or illness – rather than simply outlawing cruelty.

Other options being considered are how best to deliver on the government’s commitment to recognise animal sentience – meaning they feel pleasure, comfort, discomfort, fear and pain – in the legislation and how to ensure regulators are better able to drive behavioural change, monitor compliance, and undertake enforcement.

This would further protect the welfare of animals, with penalties better aligned with the seriousness of the offence and authorised officers able to better ensure animal carers are doing the right thing. Recognising animal sentience would also bring Victoria in line with other Australian and international jurisdictions.

The Directions Paper was developed following extensive consultation with key industry and community stakeholders about our existing laws and opportunities for improvement.

The government has already made reforms to improve animal welfare including mandatory pain relief when mulesing sheep, regulating appropriate fruit tree netting to protect wildlife and introducing the Pet Exchange Register to improve the traceability of cats and dogs.

The government is also investing $3 million to support not-for-profit and community vet clinics, animal shelters and foster carers to purchase equipment and improve their services.

The Directions Paper and survey on the proposals for the new Act are available at engage.vic.gov.au.

The survey closes on Monday 14 December 2020.

The future of an industrial hemp industry in Victoria is looking bright, with the Industrial Hemp Taskforce handing down its interim report today strongly backing a trial site.

The cross-party Industrial Hemp Taskforce included Member for Mildura Ali Cupper and Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Fiona Patten.

It was established to examine the challenges and opportunities faced by the industrial hemp industry. In delivering their report, the Taskforce committed to further explore opportunities to develop the industry.

The Taskforce has spent the last 12-months engaging with industry stakeholders, participants and research organisations and with this report, has identified a range of opportunities and issues that the industry is facing.

Opportunities outlined in the report include making improvements in processing capability, closing knowledge and experience gaps in hemp cultivation, addressing regulatory barriers as well as more clear and accessible market information.

One significant achievement of the Taskforce over the last year has been facilitating the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Australian Primary Hemp (APH) and SuniTAFE in Mildura.

The partnership outlines a two-year industrial hemp research and development collaboration under SuniTAFE’s SMART Farm project to assess its suitability of low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) hemp varieties.

Demand for hemp as food and oil products has grown rapidly in Australia since it was included under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code in 2017, however the industrial hemp industry remains in its infancy.

If successful, the trial would send a strong positive signal for hemp production and cultivation in the Sunraysia region, which could lead to the establishment of a promising new local industry, creating more local jobs.

The findings of the Taskforce provide a valuable evidence base on the state of the industry and highlight areas of focus to support development of the industrial hemp industry.

To read the report and find out more information, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Victorian young farmers it’s time have a go and share your thoughts and concerns in the 2020 Regional Wellbeing Survey.

Please jump online and do the survey at www.regionalwellbeing.org.au

You could win one of 29 prizes worth a total of $9,200.  You can do a short or long version of the survey, depending on how much time you have available.

The Regional Wellbeing Survey’s mission is to support research that improves the wellbeing, resilience and quality of life of people living in rural and regional Australia. This is done by asking thousands of people across Australia to do the survey.

Since the start of the survey in 2013, young farmers have been significantly underrepresented. Now is the time to change that statistic and ensure your voice is heard.

Agriculture Victoria supports the Regional Wellbeing Survey (conducted by the University of Canberra) and regularly uses the data and information to understand the needs of Victorian communities and to inform program design and delivery.

This year there is a special focus on understanding how events including COVID-19, drought, bushfire and floods are affecting people and communities across Australia (as well as asking some of our usual questions).

Find out more at www.regionalwellbeing.org.au. Call 1800 981 499 if you’d like a paper survey, or for help with the survey.

The survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous, and closes at midnight on 30 October 2020.

Thank you for taking the time to participate and share your valuable insights.

To celebrate the upcoming bumper harvest in Victoria, we want you to share photos of your big crop on social media.

If you’re growing some whopper wheat, bonza barley, large lentils, colossal canola, plentiful peas or big beans, then we want to see them!

Share your photo on Twitter or Facebook and make sure you tag @AgricultureVictoria #BigCropVic on Facebook and @AgVicGov and #BigCropVic on Twitter.

Free, confidential wellbeing and mental health support is now available to business owners, their employees and family members as part of the Wellbeing and Mental Health Support program.

The Partners in Wellbeing hotline provides one-to-one support to improve wellbeing, as well as free access to business advisers and financial counsellors.

Call 1300 375 330 from 9 am to 10 pm weekdays.

Read more

The THRIVE AUSTRALIA Challenge, in partnership with CSIRO, Victorian Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of State, aims to enable the needed transformations in Australia’s food value chain as highlighted in the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The Challenge will accomplish this by identifying, promoting, accelerating, and investing in innovative early-stage Australian start-ups that are creating new and alternative paths for a more efficient and sustainable global food system.

Five to ten start-ups will be selected from the pool of applicants to present their ideas at THRIVE AUSTRALIA’s Pitch Challenge before an audience of top agricultural leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs.

One winning start-up will receive the THRIVE AUSTRALIA Challenge Award, brand exposure, access to the THRIVE ecosystem, and a spot at pitch finals for the award-winning THRIVE VII Accelerator Program (March-June 2021).

Learn more and apply here https://thriveagrifood.com/australia-challenge/ by 6 November, 2020.

Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections resumed for regional Victoria from Monday 5 October.

Agriculture Victoria has a COVIDSafe Plan in place for each bounty collection centre.

If you are attending a collection centre, you must comply with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions including physical distancing, good hygiene practices and wearing a face mask (unless you have a lawful reason not to).

Hunters are encouraged to continue to collect fox scalps and wild dog body parts, while following coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions relevant to their area. 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 hunters are reminded to use common sense when hunting and when it comes to attending bounty collections. Stay safe by following the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that apply to your area and, if you feel unwell, get tested and stay home.

Reward payments can only be made by Electric Funds Transfer.

Woori Yallock remains closed in line with current metropolitan Melbourne restrictions.

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.

In the latest episode, East Gippsland farmer Peter Young talks about his experience with the dry conditions, how the family are setting up their business for the future, the importance of community and peer to peer learning.

To hear Peter search 'AgVic Talk' wherever you usually get your podcasts or listen in  🎧  here: agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgVicTalk

More details about the AgVic podcast series is available on the Agriculture Victoria website, where you can subscribe to the series or download the audio or transcripts of each episode.

The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are continuing to support the agriculture business recovery from the 2019–20 bushfires, with additional support for both inside and outside the fire-affected areas.

The Smoke Taint Grant provides up to $10,000 for business recovery and growth, improvements to make the business more resilient to future disasters, and marketing activities.

It is available to farmers outside the local government areas that are currently eligible for the Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grant and the Small Business Bushfire Support Grant.

For details of the grant and a list of the eligible local government areas, visit ruralfinance.com.au

The new $10,000 Small Business Bushfire Support Grants are open.

• it's easy to apply
• you aren't required to upload any financial documents if you don't have them right now
• you can apply if your business was indirectly affected by the bushfires.

The grant is available for small businesses and primary producers in East Gippsland, Towong, Alpine, Indigo, Wangaratta, Mansfield and Wellington shires who have experienced significant income loss as a result of this season’s bushfires.

Find out more at www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-recovery-victoria

Concessional loans of up to $500,000 are available to support small business, primary producers and non-profit organisations impacted by the Victorian bushfires that began on 21 November 2019.

The loans are for restoring and/or replacing damaged assets and/or to meet working capital expenses.

They are available for eligible wine grape growers in Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga.

For further information contact Rural Finance 1800 260 425 or www.ruralfinance.com.au.

Grants of up to $75,000 to assist primary producers directly affected by the 2019–2020 bushfire with recovery costs. Eligible activities include rebuilding or replacing damaged or destroyed on-farm infrastructure, including fencing and trellises.

Wine grape growers who are located in eligible fire affected local government areas and have had crops affected by smoke taint may be able to claim for costs associated with the salvage, harvest and disposal of the smoke taint affected crops. Where no fire has occurred on the property, evidence of smoke impact, such as smoke taint testing results are required.

Available in eligible fire affected local government areas across Victoria. In the areas of Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga, and the alpine areas of Falls Creek, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling.

For further information contact Rural Finance 1800 260 425 or www.ruralfinance.com.au.

The Victorian Government is helping regional Victorians who lost critical household water infrastructure in the 2019-20 bushfires with up to $20,000 available to replace rainwater and septic tanks.

Rebates, of up to $15,000 for septic tanks and $3,000 for household rainwater tanks, are available to cover up to half of the costs of the purchase and installation of new primary use tank systems to residents rebuilding homes.

To assist with the installation process, up to $1,500 funding is available for any combination of assessments required to get council approval to install or alter a septic system including condition reports undertaken by a qualified plumber and Land Capability Assessments.

Further funding of up to $500 is available to cover the initial refill of a rainwater tank installed as part of the program.

Rebates of up to $2,500 are also available for minor repairs or reconnections required for undamaged tank systems that comply with current standards.

The program is available to households in Alpine, Towong and East Gippsland shires, not connected to reticulated urban water systems, for the replacement, minor repairs or reconnection of primary use rainwater and septic tanks at their primary place of residence.

Rebates are available for works completed since 21 November 2019 and until 31 May 2023.

To apply for the rebates contact your local Bushfire Recovery Victoria hub or visit melbournewater.com.au/RaSTRprogram.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website. Log on to the Events page to find out what's on.

Managing and forecasting cash flow is essential for any business. For farmers it’s particularly important given the highly variable income that comes with seasonal conditions, market fluctuations and unforeseen circumstances such as fire or floods.

Being prepared, both on the farm and on the books, will assist in preparing for and managing challenging situations.

Farm Cash Flow 101 is a two-session course designed to help farmers understand cash flow budgets, and develop confidence using spreadsheets for cash flow management.

Using case study figures from a farming operation, Farm Cash Flow 101 presenter farm business specialist Jim Moll, from AgBiz Assist, will show you how to develop a simple cashflow budget for your farm business, to get a better handle on managing income and expenditure over the next 12 months.

Once mastered, these simple Excel® spreadsheets can become an integral part of farm financial planning and management, revised regularly to reflect current circumstances.

The course will run over two days from 11 am to noon:

Monday 26 October

• Why cash flow budgets are important and how they assist farm businesses
• Introduction to cash flow budgeting and spreadsheet basics

Wednesday 28 October

• Adapting cash flow budgets to different production systems
• Refining the spreadsheet

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION

Register on Eventbrite: https://farm-cash-flow-budgets.eventbrite.com.au

Join-in information and an Excel® spreadsheet template will be provided prior to the sessions.

For more information: contact Greg Ferrier at greg.ferrier@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 0438 738 634.

Agriculture Victoria is hosting the first in the next series of webinars to assist landholders in Central and East Gippsland.

Short presentations from your local AgVic staff will cover the following topics with an opportunity for questions and discussion:

• Animal health issues to be on the lookout for in late spring and summer
• Focus on worm control and the WormBoss website
• Summer feed and water quality
• Feedtests – what the numbers mean
• Summer crops – what to consider.

Join Zoom® Meeting at:
https://zoom.us/j/93654449373

Meeting ID: 936 5444 9373
Passcode: 779941

Dial in by phone: (03) 7018 2005 Pre-registration is not required.

If you would like to submit questions or photos for discussion prior to the event, please contact Caroline Love at caroline.love@agriculture.vic.gov.au or on 0427 515 668.

For more information, or if you need assistance registering or joining the webinar please contact the event organiser Tess McDougall on 0409 841 492 or at tess.mcdougall@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Agriculture Victoria is partnering with guest speakers from across the lamb industry to deliver a four-part webinar series focused on mastering your lamb marketing.

When:  Every Thursday, 5 November to 26 November

Where: Online webinar series

Time: 7.30 – 8.30 pm

Topics covered:

• Part 1: Know your business
• Part 2: Know your customer
• Part 3: Know your product
• Part 4: Know your value chain

Visit Webex to register for this event.

You only need to register once for the series. Recordings will be available for each session.

For more information, or if you need assistance registering or joining the webinar please email Alice Ritchie or call 0429 386 781.

Agriculture Victoria will host a number of climate and agriculture science talks in its latest lunchtime webinar series.

Having proved popular the first time around, the lunchtime webinars are designed for busy people chasing fast facts about climate and agriculture research.

Participants will hear from a broad range of expert speakers from Agriculture Victoria, North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA), University of Tasmania and other agencies.

Scheduled to speak this series, are:

• Dr Rebecca Harris from University of Tasmania: will share Australia’s Wine Future: A Wine Climate Atlas which shows how wine-region climates have changed, with more to come
• Agriculture Victoria, Climate Specialist, Graeme Anderson: will talk about using seasonal forecasts and share new tools developed with a GRDC project for south eastern Australia.

Land managers, service providers, researchers and educators are encouraged to subscribe to our climate updates and newsletters.

Any queries can be directed to Climate Development Officer Heather Field at heather.field@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For more information and to subscribe to stay up to date with these upcoming climate webinars visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate

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