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Thursday 24 October, 2019 |
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Soil-borne disease course at Horsham |
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New and experienced agronomists are invited to attend a PREDICTA®B root disease risk management course at Horsham next month to build on, or refresh, their skills and knowledge on soilborne diseases.
The course, which is one of a series being offered across Australian grain growing regions, will provide agronomists with the latest Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) information to help growers minimise production losses on-farm.
Cereal root diseases cost grain growers, on average, more than $200 million annually in lost production, and much of this loss can be prevented.
The one-day course provides accreditation for delivering PREDICTA®B – the DNA-based soil testing service which enables growers to identify the pathogens posing greatest risk to their farm.
The course will also cover:
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the main soilborne diseases for the region including rhizoctonia, crown rot and root lesion nematodes
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interpreting and understanding PREDICTA®B results
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using PREDICTA®B for better variety, rotation and paddock management decisions
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yield loss risk categories for established tests and population density categories for new tests
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management options
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soilborne diseases in dry times – what you need to know
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soil sampling strategies.
Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist Dr Grant Hollaway will be among the presenters at Horsham who will also include Alan McKay and Blake Gontar (SARDI), with the workshop facilitated by Allan Mayfield (Allan Mayfield Consulting).
Dr McKay, who leads SARDI’s soil biology and molecular diagnostics group, said a feature of this event would be an update on a national pulse root disease survey that has investment from the GRDC, Agriculture Victoria and the South Australian Grain Industry Trust.
“This survey was instigated following several reports of southern region pulse crop failures in 2017, due to suspected root rot disease, which prompted further investigations of soilborne diseases of pulses.
“Pulse crops in different grain growing regions have been surveyed under this project and initial results suggest that pulse root diseases have been underestimated and the risk has increased in areas where pulses are frequently included in the cropping sequence.”
The 2019 Predicta®B workshop at Horsham will be held at Grains Innovation Park on Monday, 11 November. For more details, or to register, go to: grdc.com.au/events/list.
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Climate webinar this Friday |
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Tune into a free webinar, as part of the launch of a new climate tool designed to help Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian growers assess the impact of climate drivers on regional weather patterns.
Presenters Dale Grey (Agriculture Victoria) and Peter Hayman (SARDI) will explain how growers can use the Forecasts4Profit and the Local Climate Tool to inform on-farm decision-making.
These tools were created as part of a joint initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Agriculture Victoria to support growers using forecast information to manage risk and increase profitability.
The webinar will be held this Friday, 25 October at 12 pm. Register to attend via the online link here.
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Is there a role for summer cropping in Victoria? |
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Summers in Victoria are associated with dry stubbles and occasional heat waves, but could there be a role for opportunistic winter/spring-sown intercropping and summer cropping?
This is currently under investigation in a new Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Agriculture Victoria project, using field sites at Hamilton, Rutherglen and Horsham.
The project is part of the Victorian Grains Innovation Partnership (VGIP) between the Victorian Government and GRDC, which aims to increase the profitability of southern grain growers through world-class research.
In addition to summer crops, the project is investigating winter crop mixtures (NE and SW Victoria) and water conservation measures (Wimmera) to fully explore ways to maximise profits.
The field activity at Agriculture Victoria’s research sites will be complemented next year by more experiments throughout the region. Crop modelling and economic analyses will also be used so the findings can be extended to a wider range of soil types and seasonal conditions – beyond those experienced at the project’s field trials.
Wheat and canola crops begin to mature in mid-November and, in many years, leave behind soil water they have been unable to extract by the end of grain-fill.
Agriculture Victoria research scientist Dr Garry O’Leary said there is also rainfall over summer that could be utilised by a summer crop. Long-term records from Agriculture Victoria’s Hamilton research centre show that at least 125 mm between mid-November and the end of February can be expected in at least 50 per cent of years, while in the wettest 20 per cent of years summer rainfall exceeds 190 mm.
Records from other grain-growing areas across south-western Victoria show that similar amounts of summer rainfall can be expected.
Dr O’Leary said some of this rainfall is evaporated directly from the soil, while water that penetrates deeper contributes to waterlogging in the following season.
“To turn this unused resource into profit, the new project is investigating winter companion crops, intercropping and summer crops that could utilise this resource, while also reducing potential problems of excess water in the following season,” he said.
Opportunistic crops that are being tested this summer at Hamilton and Rutherglen include soybeans and safflower in intercropped and relay sequences, with other crops such as chickpeas likely to be added in subsequent years.
Under summer conditions, these crops are expected to mature within four months after sowing.
Dr O’Leary said the project was timely with Hamilton recording four of its five wettest summers since 1970 in the last 12 years.
In December 2018 Hamilton received 78 mm over three days in mid-December. Observations on research sites showed that to a depth of 20 cm the soil initially became wetter due to the rain, but this was all lost by later in summer. Since there was minimal plant growth over this period, the water loss would have been due to soil evaporation.
At depths of 30 cm and below the soil wetted and stayed moist, increasing the chances of an early onset of waterlogging in the following year.
In the previous year (2017), 138 mm was received in the second half of November. Again, the upper soil water was lost during summer, whereas below depths of 30 cm the water was retained over summer.
“These figures all point to the need to understand the likely trigger points for growers to profit from such opportunistic strategies,” Dr O’Leary said.
“If low-yielding frosted crops can be identified early enough, these can be baled for hay or silage and an opportunistic summer crop sown to utilise remaining soil water.”
It is expected the project will enable grain growers to benefit from a more diverse range of crops, utilising more seasonal rainfall, while also reducing the impact of waterlogging on the main winter crop.
For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website –
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/innovation-and-research/research-services.
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Partnering to step up African swine fever preparedness |
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Agriculture Victoria is increasing its African swine fever preparedness, with industry and governments keeping watch for potential detections in Australia.
African swine fever is a deadly disease of pigs that has spread rapidly through Asia over the past year and was recently detected in Timor Leste
African swine fever is contagious among pigs and has a high rate of mortality in affected herds. It affects both domestic and feral pigs and can survive for long periods in the environment. Humans are not susceptible to it.
Agriculture Victoria met with key members of the agriculture and pork industries last week to discuss preparedness in the event that African swine fever is detected in Australia.
Representatives from Australian Pork Limited, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Pig Group, veterinary consultants, as well as some large pork producers were in attendance.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell said working hand-in-hand with industry was a key part of being prepared.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Everyone has a role to play in being prepared for responding to an incursion in order to have the best outcome. The need to work collaboratively on African swine fever preparedness continues to increase as the disease spreads globally,” Dr Bell said.
“If African swine fever were to be detected in Victoria, we’d be working closely with the pig industry with the intent to contain the disease quickly so that it didn’t spread. We’d seek to do that by restricting pig movements, undertaking disease surveillance and addressing the situation on infected farms as necessary. Similarly, if ASF were to be detected in another state, we’d be working to prevent it from entering Victoria.”
VFF Pig Group President Tim Kingma said it was great to sit around a table with representatives from pig production, veterinary and government sectors all contributing to a discussion around preparedness.
“With African swine fever now so close, we’re extremely nervous about the risk. Everyone has a role to play in keeping it out – if you’re coming into contact with pigs, whether commercial, hobby farming or whether it be feral pigs, it’s imperative not to feed swill,” Mr Kingma said.
Dr Bell said it was crucial for everyone with a pig to have a Property Identification Code and to be recording movements through the PigPass database, which would enable Agriculture Victoria to trace the disease more quickly in the event of a detection.
“Everyone coming into contact with pigs also needs to be vigilant about what they feed pigs – only certified pig rations, grain, fruit and vegetables are appropriate,” Dr Bell said.
“Do not feed swill, or waste food to pigs. This includes food scraps with meat, butcher’s shop waste, or any food that contains meat and vegetables that have been served with meat.
“Swill feeding is banned in Victoria and throughout Australia to help protect our livestock from exotic animal diseases such as African swine fever.”
For further information about African swine fever visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/africanswinefever or call 136 186.
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Building communities for climate resilience |
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Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), Buloke Shire Council, North Central CMA and Mallee CMA will come together to deliver a unique opportunity for community members to hear the latest climate information and what steps individuals and communities can take to help shape a positive future for the region.
‘Building Climate Resilience’ will be held at the Birchip Town Hall on Tuesday 29 October. During the forum experts in the areas of climate, agriculture, health, community, finance and insurance will share their knowledge and ideas.
BCG acting executive director Caroline Welsh said the event would give people an opportunity to learn about how the climate is changing.
“Climate is a challenge to businesses and communities in the Wimmera and Mallee," she said.
"The ability to adapt to the changing climate is essential to our survival and the region’s ability to remain prosperous."
The day will feature keynote speakers, Gabrielle Chan from the Guardian Australia and author of 'Rusted Off: Why Country Australia is Fed Up', and Mark Howden, director of the Australian National University's Climate Change Institute.
Ms Chan will join attendees for breakfast. Her focus is small town resilience and what their future looks like in terms of climate change.
Mr Howden is an expert on how climate variability and how climate change will impact on food production and food security, and how to adapt to those impacts.
Mr Howden is also a recipient of a joint Nobel Peace Prize with other members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change including Al Gore. Having made numerous visits to Birchip over the years, he also has a great understanding of local farming systems and how farmers have adapted and improved management practices.
Throughout the day speakers will be addressing topics such as agricultural outlook, climate applications, risk governance, agricultural diversification, growers as innovators, small business as innovators, improving connectivity, energy, environment and community as innovators.
A session on regional responses to drought features interstate perspectives including Stuart McAlpine from Western Australia and Peter Mailler from New South Wales, along with Dr Lauren Rickards, leader from the RMIT climate change and resilience research program.
This is a unique event for people across the region and a great opportunity to invest in upskilling and making informed decisions related to climate and the future.
Registrations for this free event are essential. Visit www.bcg.org.au/events for more information.
Following the climate forum a funder and community group workshop will be held in Birchip on Wednesday 30 October. Attendees will work together to recognise key skills gaps and identify then develop suitable training programs to bridge these.
For more information or to register your interest contact Phillip Guthrie on 0422 570 071 or phillip.guthrie@bcg.org.au.
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New urban network to bolster our plant health |
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Urban gardeners will have the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge to ensure the health of Melbourne’s plants with a new Urban Plant Health Network.
Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Rosa Crnov launched the Urban Plant Health Network at the Horticulture Industry Network meeting in Melbourne this week.
“Plant health and biosecurity isn’t just for farmers or commercial crop growers, everyone has an important part to play in keeping unwanted pests out of Australia,” Dr Crnov said.
“All of us need to keep our gardens clean and free of plant pests, diseases and weeds.”
The Urban Plant Health Network connects home and community gardeners with industry and government experts to help identify and manage new or ‘exotic’ plant pests and diseases.
“These exotic 'nasties' can spread easily from small urban gardens to rural areas, threatening our environment and our agricultural industries, who help customers around the world enjoy high quality ‘clean and green’ food and fibre.”
The network will publish seasonally relevant information and articles about managing unwanted garden pests and diseases through a new website, Facebook page and Twitter account.
The network will also provide an opportunity to connect urban gardeners with a team of skilled professionals who can provide advice on how to look for, manage, and report exotic plant pests or diseases in a home or community garden.
“Last summer, Agriculture Victoria responded to Brown marmorated stink bug detections in three locations in suburban Melbourne. Our urban population’s support of our surveillance was critical to the success of the response,” Dr Crnov said.
“With International Year of Plant Health just around the corner, it’s an ideal time to join the network and be involved in sharing opportunities to promote and participate in activities that support plant health.”
AUSVEG, Citrus Australia, CESAR and the Horticulture Industry Network are involved in the Urban Plant Health Network, with funding support from the federal Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Victoria.
For more information visit https://extensionaus.com.au/urbanplanthealthnetwork/home;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanplanthlth; Twitter: @urbanplanthlth.
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Agriculture Energy Investment Plan webinars |
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Come and join investment plan expert Peter Harrison as he explains the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan Assessment and Grant application process.
These 30-minute webinars will guide you through how to complete the energy assessment and grant application process. This will also include an overview of the Tier 1 – Streamlined Dairy Grants.
The on-farm energy assessment and grants are available to eligible primary producers until March 2020 or until available funding is exhausted.
Grants will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar cash co-contribution basis. Recipients are required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cash costs of the project.
An on-farm energy assessment is required to access one of the grants under the Agriculture Investment Energy Plan (AEIP).
Webinars running for 30 minutes will be presented at 12 pm on Thursday, 31 October (https://bit.ly/2VXBlyN) and 1 pm on Friday, 1 November (https://bit.ly/2pxJVrP).
Register via the links above.
For more information contact Sarah Clack at Agriculture Victoria Tatura on (03) 5824 5502 or sarah.clack@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
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What is photosensitisation in cattle and sheep? |
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With sunny weather and the green feed of spring, livestock producers are likely to see an increased incidence of photosensitisation in cattle and sheep.
The term photosensitivity refers to an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet light and resembles a bad case of sunburn.
When grazing lush green feed, cattle and sheep take in large amounts of the plant pigment, chlorophyl.
After the pigment is digested and absorbed, it passes to the blood from where it is normally filtered by the liver, broken down and passed out of the body.
If an excessive amount of chlorophyl is consumed its end products may not be fully removed and and they can build up to high levels in the blood.
This may also happen if the liver function is impaired in some way, for example, by liver fluke damage or damage from certain toxic plants such as heliotrope. There are other plants eaten by stock which have high levels of preformed photosensitising pigments such as St John's Wort.
The pigment can accumulate in the surface layers of the skin, and the interaction between the pigment and ultraviolet light results in a burn-like effect in the skin. This happens on uncoloured, less hairy areas of the skin such as the unpigmented skin and teats of cattle and the ears and nose of sheep.
In the early stages of photosensitivity affected animals become agitated due to the burning sensation in their skin.
Affected animals will shake their heads, rub against trees and kick at their bellies in an attempt to relieve the pain. Their ears may become swollen and droopy and will seek shade during the day.
Photosensitivity can be severe enough to put an animal into shock which can be fatal.
On many occasions farmers only see the end results of photosensitivity where the affected skin begins to lift off as a result of the damage the burn has caused.
If detected in the early stages, antihistamines may help. There are ointments available for darkening teats which can be particularly useful for dairy cattle.
Affected animals should be moved into shaded areas and taken off green feed.
For further advice please contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
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Early weaning of lambs in a drought |
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The feed requirements of ewes with lambs at foot are generally higher than when ewes and lambs are fed separately. In a difficult season with reduced feed supplies, it can be more economical to early-wean lambs from their mothers to lower feed costs and ensure that the ewes regain condition before joining.
This practice becomes even more important as the costs of feeds increase. Ewe's milk provides the main source of nutrition for lambs until about eight weeks of age. Lambs will sample pasture from about two weeks after birth and by eight weeks of age, pasture overtakes milk as the major portion of their diet with milk contributing around 10 per cent of the nutrient's lambs require therefore little nutritional benefit is gained by leaving them with their mothers after this time.
To wean lambs early:
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Lambs should be 8–10 weeks of age, minimum of 10 kilograms (kg) liveweight
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They should be marked and vaccinated. If they have been recently mulesed, allow four weeks to recover before weaning to avoid setback
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‘Train’ them to eat grain while still with their mothers (weaners should be well adapted in drought years due to the ewes being supplemented with grain during lactation).
Benefits of early weaning include:
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Feed cost savings – the requirements of a ewe with a lamb is higher, about three dry sheep equivalents (DSE), than the requirements of a ewe and lamb separately (1.8DSE)
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Flexibility for ewes – ewes can be fed maintenance rations, placed on poorer feed paddocks, sold or agisted
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Ewes have a longer time to regain condition before next joining – ewes will take a month and a half to regain one condition score on pastures with a Food On Offer (FOO) of 1500 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha). Until the lambs are weaned, ewes will continue to lose weight on this level of feed. Ewes need to be in condition score 3 by joining to achieve optimum lambing percentages
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Pastures have a better chance to re-establish and grow ahead of grazing stock
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Worms – lambs have a lower worm burden, as worm control can be provided earlier, and they won’t be grazing the pasture being contaminated by their mothers for as long.
Management of early weaned lambs
Weaners are often your replacements in the breeding flock. What happens to your weaners now will affect their lifetime liveweight, wool production and future reproductive performance.
It is important to optimise conditions for your growing weaners. To optimise future production from weaners, aim for crossbred lambs at 30 kg liveweight and merino lambs at 20 kg liveweight before summer and attain a condition score of two.
During dry seasonal conditions, lambs under 20 kg at weaning and those losing weight post weaning are at increased risk of mortality so its vital to optimise growing conditions for these stock to mitigate this risk.
Vaccinate at weaning for the main clostridial diseases, pulpy kidney, tetanus and cheesy gland; following label directions. It’s essential to provide this booster vaccine at weaning as the dose given at lamb marking won’t be effective without the booster.
Pulpy kidney is probably the most threatening disease for a weaner, particularly when they are to be fed high grain supplements or grazed on unharvested crops. Cheesy gland and tetanus are also important.
Provide high energy and high protein feed to ensure lambs keep growing. Weaned lambs require about 11 megajoules (MJ) of energy and 16.5–20 per cent crude protein in the diet for maintenance and growth. This can be provided from high energy and high protein grain supplements or commercial lamb pellets. Lambs that are weaned early and appear weak may grow better on commercial milk replacer pellets until there is sufficient pasture available.
Provide small amounts of the feed (100 g/ewe) at least three times prior to weaning to ‘imprint feed’ the lambs while still on their mothers and train the lambs to consume the ration and allow the rumen to adapt to the new feed type.
Closely observe all the lambs are eating the supplement prior to weaning, if not you will need to extend the imprint feeding period, which will depend on current pasture available, milk from the ewe and the type of grain being fed.
Weaners should be fed a minimum of two to three times per week. Initial feeding rates should start at 25 grams (g) per head/day and increased slowly to achieve a minimum growth rate of 1 to 2kg / month in the weaners. Weaners will benefit from grazing green feed for as long as possible during spring.
A paddock with a FOO of 800–1000 kg/ha will be sufficient to provide growth (this equates to 80 per cent green cover at one centimetre or 50 per cent cover at 3–4 centimetres). Where insufficient pasture is available, continue to provide adequate supplement in the paddock.
Monitor your weaners
Weighing a group of 50 weaners from the mob every two weeks will give a good indication if the feeding rate is adequate.
Weaners should be gaining at least 30 g/head/day and up to a potential of 200g/head/day until the start of summer. Weighing lambs at weaning and calculating the required daily body weight gain to reach 30 kg or above by the end of November will help to determine whether your feeding program will be sufficient to optimise weaner survival over summer.
Lambs have a greater potential to gain weight when they are younger, so it is better to grow them as soon possible after weaning.
Feed types for weaners
Spring pasture growth should provide sufficient energy and protein for the weaners. Be aware that quality of pastures declines rapidly after flowering and continues to decline as the pastures 'hay off'.
After the pastures have dried, the quality is usually too low for weaner growth and they will need supplements to maintain growth. From wilting, start to feed weaners 25g/head/day of supplement to continue a gradual increase in liveweight.
Continue to monitor a group of weaners for body weight gain.
Weaners around 15kg liveweight require a diet of 16.5 - 20 per cent crude protein and a minimum of 6.5 metabolisable energy (ME)/day for growth. Their requirements vary depending on the weight and target growth rate.
High protein sources such as lupins, faba beans, pellets and some cereals are recommended. Cereal grains can be used as part of the supplement if high protein sources are in short supply. For example, wheat can be fed as two thirds of the ration along with a high protein source.
Feed testing is recommended to determine nutritive value of feed on-hand or purchased in. Remember to introduce cereal grains gradually to all sheep to reduce the risk of acidosis. This can be achieved by increasing grain supplements in small increments of about 50g every two days over 14-21 days.
Gradual introduction to different types of grains is also recommended (for example oats to barley or wheat). Provide the highest quality roughage available (pasture or hay) to stock during the process of introducing grain into their diet.
There are also some very good quality commercial pellets now available for weaners. Choose pellets with more than 12MJ of energy per kilogram of dry matter and more than 15 per cent crude protein for weaners to ensure their requirements for growth can be met.
Parasites can seriously reduce weaner growth rates and survival during the spring and summer months. Weaners should be treated for worms at weaning time, using an effective drench, before turning the newly weaned lambs onto a 'low worm' pasture.
Worm egg counts after pasture senescence will determine if you need to drench your weaners again in summer.
Weaners also require a cool, clean water supply, especially as the pastures dry out and the hot summer months arrive. Salt levels in water must be below 6,000 parts per million (ppm), or 1100 milli Siemens per metre (mS/m) for weaners to drink. Lot fed or confinement fed weaners require better quality water, up to 900 mS/m. Poor quality water will reduce water intake; resulting in reduced affecting feed intake and growth.
Creep feeding
Creep feeding of lambs provides an alternative to early weaning during difficult seasons and is especially important when the lambs are too young or weak to be early-weaned from their mothers.
This method of ewe and lamb management provides less flexibility for ewe management but may be necessary when the ewes are in poor condition during lactation and/or the lambs are too young or weak to wean off their mothers at an early age.
Creep feeding involves the provision of high energy and high protein feed supplements to lambs while they are still with their mothers. There are several quality commercial milk pellets on the market to suit young lambs. Creep feeders consist of enclosures with vertical bars that are constructed to allow lambs to access the high-quality feed, while denying access to their mothers.
The spacings of the vertical bars should allow access for the lambs but the spacings should be too narrow for the ewes to enter. Further security for the feed can be provided by placing a horizontal bar at a height taller than the lambs, but smaller than the height of the ewes.
Tips for creep feeding:
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'Training' the lambs to accept the feed is hastened by feeding some of the pellets initially in a trail with their mothers. The lambs will learn to recognise the pellets as a feed source much earlier if fed with their mothers
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The creep feeder should be placed near the main campsite of the flock (and/or near the trail feed area for the ewes) so the lambs have constant access. It’s important to continue to supplement the ewes while creep feeding the lambs, as the lambs will still be obtaining some milk from their mothers
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There may be some risk of soil erosion around the creep feeder, so gravel may need to be applied around the base
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Creep feeding provides an alternative management strategy for feeding small, young or weak lambs and also assists the ewes by reducing the energy demands of the lambs.
For more information about managing during drought and dry seasonal conditions go to: agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au.
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Is your livestock fit to load? |
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Preparation for dispatch of livestock is a key element of the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program – making sure your animals are fit to load. For more information on the auditable animal welfare requirements under LPA, click here.
Watch this new video from MLA which explains best practice animal welfare when preparing, loading and delivering livestock, or you can download the animal fit to load guide.
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Finding Australia's next generation of lamb leaders |
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Are you, or do you know someone, aged 18 –35 years who is passionate about the Australian sheep and lamb industry?
Well, we'd like to let them know that the LambEx 2020 Young Guns competition is open!
Six finalists will be selected from round one of the LambEx 2020 Young Guns competition to attend the conference in Melbourne, receive travel assistance up to $800, and will be provided with professional development opportunities during the event.
Entering the competition is easy! LambEx wants to hear your vision on how to connect the Australian sheep and lamb industry with city consumers.
Simply capture your vision in three minutes or less using any digital medium(s) including (but not limited to) video, photography with voice overlay, digital storytelling, graphics, animation, GoPro etc.
Unleash your creativity over the coming months to prepare and submit your entry by 31 January 2020.
For information go to: lambex.com.au/young-guns/
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Tapping into Victorian craft produce |
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Victoria’s small-scale and craft producers are being supported to grow – creating new jobs and attracting more visitors from interstate and overseas to enjoy our locally-made food, beer and spirits.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes visited King River Brewing in Whitfield to launch the Victorian Government’s $10 million Small-Scale and Craft Program, encouraging all small-scale producers across Victoria to apply.
Two streams of funding are available under the new program:
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Stream One – Small-scale and Craft Business Development: Grants up to $25,000 are available to eligible small-scale and craft producers for projects that support businesses to scale up, expand their operations and diversify their products – with applications closing on 6 December.
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Stream Two – Job Creation and Economic Development: Grants of $25,000-$200,000 will go to eligible small scale and craft agribusinesses for significant projects that will deliver benefits to the community and generate jobs. Projects involving multiple businesses are particularly encouraged to apply, with Expressions of Interest, which close on 31 December.
King River Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery based in the King Valley that produce small batch and preservative-free boutique beer. It has an onsite taproom giving visitors an opportunity to taste the range of beers available as well as serving up wood-fired pizzas.
The brewery produces a range of beer styles, ranging from light and easy drinking Kolsch and Pale Ale to more complex styles like Belgian Tripel and Doppelbock. The brewery is also known for its seasonal beers such as the Fig Porter that often sell out within weeks.
This new program follows on from the successful Artisanal Sector Program, which delivered grants to businesses in Victoria’s highly valued and diverse artisanal produce sector, helping them grow production, enhance their farmers’ market potential and take their local produce to the world.
King River Brewing was one of 248 recipients in the Artisanal Sector Program, receiving $5,000 to enclose the brewery and install a climate control system, in order to enable year-round manufacturing of their beers.
Victoria is renowned for its premium produce and the Government is proud to support agricultural businesses that not only provide unique specialty produce, but create jobs, attract tourism and ensure regional communities are vibrant destinations to live and visit.
To find out more about the program, eligibility requirements and to apply, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/food-and-fibre-industries/artisanal-agriculture.
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The AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award - closing soon |
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Applications for The AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award close next Thursday.
The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.
Over the past two decades, the Award has gained a significant profile, and is recognised as a program of influence among parliamentarians, industry, media and Award alumni.
Each state and territory winner receives a $10,000 bursary for innovative ideas and projects, access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks.
AgriFutures Australia is committed to the future growth and advancement of the Award as a means of identifying, celebrating and empowering women.
The Rural Women’s Award is one of many AgriFutures Australia initiatives ensuring our rural industries prosper now, and into the future
Applications close 31 October.
For more information, click here
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Extension for say on sheep and goat levy until 31 October |
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The closing date for input on the duty paid by sheep and goat producers has been extended until October 31.
Sheep and goat producers and industry are invited to have their say on the future amount of the state’s sheep and goat duty, which is under review.
The duty, charged on the sale of sheep and goats in Victoria, was set at 12 cents in 1999 and has remained at that rate since.
Currently, the funds support projects and program benefitting industry, such as raising awareness of biosecurity practices.
The Sheep and Goat Compensation Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture about expenditure. The fund also allows for compensation to be paid to producers for sheep and goats in the circumstance they are affected by a declared endemic disease.
This review comes on the back of the sheep and goat industry going through major reform, having transitioned from a mob-based identification process to an electronic identification system over the last few years.
There are six options provided for the ongoing sheep and goat duty amount.
For more information on the consultation and to submit your feedback at: engage.vic.gov.au/sheep-and-goat-duty-review.
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Are you a Wimmera grain grower with an innovative idea or invention? |
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Wimmera grain growers who have an innovative idea or product, but aren’t sure whether it’s worth developing or how to take steps towards commercialisation, can now get support as part of a series of new Growers as Innovators workshops.
Being held on October 29, the workshops are being delivered by Farmers2Founders (F2F) in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) as part of the Birchip Cropping Group’s Building Climate Resilience event.
Farmers2Founders is an innovation and entrepreneurship program tailored to grain growers and primary producers. The GRDC has joined forces with them to support growers in the Wimmera region to take home-grown innovations through to commercialisation.
The one-hour Growers as Innovators workshops will feature case studies of innovative Australian producers, and tools to get started with an idea or to commercialise an invention.
GRDC Business Development and Commercialisation Manager – South Fernando Felquer said growers with ideas for new products or ventures were invited to come along to get support to determine whether their innovations were worth pursuing and to find out how they could get started.
The free workshops will be held in Birchip on October 29 at the Birchip Town Hall as part of the Building Climate Resilience event. The event runs from 8.45 am to 5 pm with the workshops part of the program.
The Growers as Innovators workshops are open to anyone keen to learn more about innovation in agriculture or with an idea for a new product. They offer an opportunity to:
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learn and share ideas for new products and new technologies
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obtain support to get started with your idea or take it to the next level
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hear case studies of innovative producers across Australia.
Mr Felquer said the GRDC had partnered with F2F to support growers who had creative solutions to overcome or combat problems in the grains industry.
“Growers have significant practical experience and are often resourceful and skilled when it comes to overcoming the challenges they have in the paddock,” he said.
“The Growers as Innovators workshops are about engaging with and supporting growers to develop and potentially commercialise their ideas.”
F2F is supported by AgriFutures, Wine Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, Meat and Livestock Australia and the GRDC.
Learn more at https://www.bcg.org.au/building-climate-resilience-event-blog/ or email Alexander Leat at alex@farmers2founders.com.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-climate-resilience-tickets-75253173267.
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Do your pulse crops look sick? Send in a sample |
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Agriculture Victoria researcher Dr Josh Fanning is calling on growers and agronomists to send in pulse and oilseed samples from crops where disease is suspected.
New disease sampling kits have been developed making the collection of plant samples easier. The disease samples will help to ensure researchers are using current samples that are regionally relevant.
Dr Fanning said since diseases change from one season to the next it is important that research and breeding programs have access to the latest samples.
"The information generated from these samples ensures growers have access to current information on the resistance of each variety and researchers can continue to improve disease resistance in new pulse varieties," he said.
"We have recently received a few reports of sclorotinia in lentil and chickpea crops and samples would be appreciated."
Crop samples with suspected soil-borne diseases are also sought as part of the National Soil-borne Disease project being run by Agriculture Victoria in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
Growers and agronomists are being asked to report crops exhibiting poor thrift so that they can be tested for root disease.
Dr Fanning said some of the soil-borne diseases the project was targeting included rhizoctonia and root lesion nematodes.
“In general, we don’t know which soil-borne diseases are causing losses in pulses and oilseeds,” he said.
"The results of the disease testing would enable researchers to undertake research into management strategies for the priority diseases.
“Growers and agronomists are being urged to get in touch if they suspect root disease or have seen it previously in particular areas.”
“We have sampling kits that we will send to agronomists which include instructions on how to collect the samples and a replied paid envelope. If growers don’t have an agronomist, they can contact us, and we can collect the sample with them.”
If you are able to help, please contact Joshua Fanning at Agriculture Victoria on (03) 4344 3335 or joshua.fanning@agriculture.vic.gov.au to request a sampling kit.
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Building climate resilience forum – 29 October |
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Final Horsham fox bounty collection next Wednesday |
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Collection centres
Horsham
180 Horsham-Noradjuha Rd, Horsham
Wednesday, 30 October
1.30 pm – 3.30 pm
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The Victorian Government’s fox bounty will conclude for the year this month.
Eligible participants can submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward during scheduled collection times.
Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Officers will be at the Horshame collection centre on 30 October to collect scalps.
For full details on bounty collection terms and conditions, and frequently asked questions, visit the Agriculture Victoria website or call our Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
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Agriculture Energy Investment Plan webinars – 31 October &1 November |
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Come and join investment plan expert Peter Harrison as he explains the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan Assessment and Grant application process.
These 30-minute webinars will guide you through how to complete the energy assessment and grant application process. This will also include an overview of the Tier 1 - Streamlined Dairy Grants.
There is no deadline to register. If you are new to Webex webinars, please log in 15 minutes prior to the start of the session to ensure Webex is set-up on your computer.
For more information contact Sarah Clack at Agriculture Victoria Tatura on (03) 5824 5502 or sarah.clack@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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Stock Containment Area field day |
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Event Details
DATE: Thursday, 7 November
TIME: 9.30 am to 1 pm,
lunch provided
VENUE: Mondilibi Station
1111 Mortlake- Ararat Rd, Mortlake
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Come along to share information on establishing and managing a stock containment area for sheep.
TOPICS:
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Siting and design of stock containment areas
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Feeding and nutrition of sheep in containment
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Producer’s first-hand experience - design and use of stock containment area
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Benefits and uses of stock containment areas (including seasonal grazing management, wet soil management, drought feeding, weaning, biosecurity and quarantine).
GUEST SPEAKERS:
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Clem Sturmfels - Extension Officer, Agriculture Victoria
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Nerida Evans - District Vet, Agriculture Victoria
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Nathan Hahn - Farm Manager, Mondilibi
Please register by Friday 1 November. Contact: Nerissa Lovric on 0475 986 314 or email nerissa.lovric@ecodev.vic.gov.au
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Predicta®B training course – Horsham |
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Event details
Date: 11 November
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Venue: Grains Innovation Park, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham
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New and experienced agronomists are invited to attend the PREDICTA®B Root Disease Risk Management course to build or refresh their skills and knowledge on soilborne diseases.
The course also provides accreditation for delivering PREDICTA®B - the DNA-based soil testing service which enables growers to identify the pathogens posing greatest risk to their farm.
This course will cover:
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The main soilborne diseases for the region including rhizoctonia, crown rot and root lesion nematodes
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Interpreting and understanding PREDICTA®B results
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Using PREDICTA®B to make better informed variety, rotation and paddock management decisions
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Yield loss risk categories for established tests and population density categories for new tests
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Management options
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Soilborne diseases in dry times - what you need to know
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Soil sampling strategies
More information at: https://grdc.com.au/events/list/submitted/2019-predictb-workshop-horsham
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GRDC grains storage webinars – 12 November, 10 December |
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Webinar topics
12 November – grain protectants
12.00pm – 2.30pm
10 December – aeration cooling
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A series of free-of-charge grain storage webinars from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will provide growers with convenient, timely and relevant information and advice about all aspects of storing grain on-farm.
One webinar will be held every month for the remainder of 2019 – each being 30 minutes and focused on different topics.
For more information and to register, go to storedgrain.com.au/event/webinar-planning-storage or contact Amy Harwood via amy.harwood@bcg.org.au or 0456 979 561.
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It's easy - simply click this link.
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Contacting Agriculture Victoria
Call 136 186 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call (except for mobiles and public telephones).
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment contact the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au.
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us.
Don't forget to check out Agriculture Victoria's social media sites for up-to-date information and news.
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