• Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
• New mulesing regulations
• Latest Mallee podcast
• Yersiniosis – a possible cause of ill-thrift and scouring in your herd
• The Fast Break
• Game Management Authority appointments
• Farm Business Resilience Webinar Series
• Need help controlling gorse?
• Fox and wild dog bounty collection details
• Citrus supply chain video
• PhD research fellowships on offer
• Young farmer business network
• What's on

The Victorian Government has announced further restrictions to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

From 11:59pm on 1 July, the following restricted postcodes moved to Stage 3 stay at home restrictions until at least 29 July:

• 3012 -Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray
• 3021 - Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans
• 3032 - Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore
• 3038 - Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens
• 3042 - Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie
• 3046 - Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park
• 3047 - Broadmeadows, Dallas , Jacana
• 3055 - Brunswick south, Brunswick west, Moonee vale, Moreland west
• 3060 - Fawkner
• 3064 - Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickelham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo.

If you live outside these locations, there are only four reasons to come in:

• shopping for food and supplies
• care and caregiving
• exercise, and
• study or work – if you can’t do it from home.

In all activities, farmers are asked to be considerate. Be cautious. Use your common sense. And if you don’t have to do it – don’t.

Stay safe by maintaining good hygiene, keeping your distance from others and if you feel unwell stay home.

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

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

Victorian producers are now required to administer a registered pain-relieving product if mulesing sheep.

The new provisions, which come into effect from 1 July 2020, have been introduced as part of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Regulations 2019.

The new requirement will ensure better animal welfare outcomes for Victorian sheep and will enhance the reputation of Victoria’s sheep industry.

Agriculture Victoria Program Manager Livestock Welfare Compliance, Rachael Holmes said only pain relief products that are registered for use on sheep by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) can be used when mulesing.

“Sheep producers are encouraged to seek advice from a veterinarian or animal health consultant regarding available treatment options for their own situation,” she said.

From July 1, infringement notices and fines can be issued to anyone mulesing a sheep without providing pain relief.

Dr Holmes said as with any agricultural or veterinary chemicals used on farm, producers should keep records of the pain-relieving products used.

“Full records of any pain relief products used must be kept,” she said.

“Details should include the product trade name, species/location of animals, identification numbers/description, the date the treatment has been applied and the dose rate used.”

More information about farm chemical record keeping requirements can be found by searching the Agriculture Victoria website.

Dr Holmes said Victoria’s Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Sheep (Revision Number 2) was also available to provide a technical guide for those using mulesing as part of a flystrike management program.

“If undertaken, mulesing should only be done as part of an integrated approach to flystrike management including crutching and shearing, good worm control, strategic use of chemicals, genetic selection of sheep and paddock grazing management,” she said.

Details about the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 are available from Agriculture Victoria – agriculture.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare.

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

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

This Friday evening Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Erica Schelfhorst will be discussing feed testing.

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

• Risky Weeds – with Agriculture Victoria District Veterinary Officer Jeff Cave
• Marketing cattle – with Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Greg Ferrier
• Weaning livestock – with Agriculture Victoria Lamb Industry Development Officer Nick Linden
• Cutting crops for hay – with Agriculture Victoria Grains Regional Manager Tony Fay

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

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

Dr Jeff Cave - District Veterinary Officer

As we move into the winter months, ill-thrift and scouring in herds occurs relatively commonly, and multiple causes should to be considered. One possible cause of these signs is yersiniosis.

Yersiniosis is a bacterial infection that can infect cattle, sheep and goats.

This infection does not usually cause ill-health in livestock and may go unrecognised.

However, Yersinia bacteria can cause clinical problems if livestock are under stress or if there is damage to the gut wall due to other factors, such as a large worm burden.

In these situations, signs of ill-health are most commonly seen in younger livestock. Typically, there may be a history of ill-thrift and ongoing scouring that has not responded to drenching.

The good news is most stock recover from infection and become immune to this disease. Death can occur but treatment with antibiotics is often successful.

Steps can be taken to prevent losses from yersiniosis and other similar diseases.

Simply optimising pasture utilisation during these colder months, practicing good parasite control, and minimising stress will help protect livestock.

It is important to remember that other causes of ill-thrift and scouring can look like yersiniosis, so it is best to contact your veterinarian to investigate these cases.

For further information contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health staff on 136 186.

The Fast Break for June gives you all your seasonal climate risk information in one hit.

As well as rainfall and soil moisture, The Fast Break also provides a snapshot of how ocean temperatures and pressure patterns will impact your patch.

Subscribe or download now at agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/weather-and-climate/newsletters/the-fast-break-victoria

Three new board members have been appointed to the Game Management Authority (GMA), bringing new skills and experience to the independent regulator.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes recently announced the appointment of Dr Bronwyn Orr, Corrie Goodwin and Owen Cavanough for a term of three years. Ian Maxfield has also been reappointed to the GMA Board.

Dr Bronwyn Orr will bring significant animal welfare expertise to the GMA Board as a veterinarian with a Master of Science in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law.

Dr Orr grew up in regional Queensland and is currently undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on the health of hunting dogs.

Ms Goodwin brings additional expertise in land management and public administration to the GMA Board, adding to her extensive regulatory experience in the Australian Dairy Industry.

Aboriginal culture and identity knowledge is maintained, with new director Mr Cavanough also bringing practical experience in sustainable and responsible game hunting.

The new appointments bring the GMA Board membership to eight directors, increasing diversity with country Victoria-based members, gender equality, and Aboriginal representation.

The GMA works with the community as an independent regulator overseeing game hunting in Victoria through education, research and enforcement to ensure game hunting is conducted in a responsible and sustainable way.

The GMA is continuing to adopt best practice approaches to managing deer, duck and quail hunting; investing in research and new technologies to ensure evidence-based regulation.

Victoria has more than 50,000 licensed game hunters who contribute to the economies of towns and regional centres across the state, supporting jobs both directly and indirectly.

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 delivered a $6 million funding boost to the GMA, which has increased staffing by almost 80 per cent, improved research and hunter engagement, and provided new equipment for officers.

The Victorian Government acknowledges the work of outgoing inaugural board members Deputy Chairperson Margaret Donnan and Mark Little for their leadership, hard work and oversight since the establishment of the GMA.

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a series of webinars to improve farm business resilience, hosted by ORM managing consultant Matt McCarthy.

Farmers and farm business managers should register for the webinars to identify how to safeguard their core business operations when unexpected situations occur. Register for each of the webinars below to attend or receive a link of the recorded event.

Webinar 4: Your Plan

Thursday 16 July, 1.30pm

In this webinar, an expert panel from across agriculture will discuss how farmers have successfully built business resilience over the last decade, where are the main gaps, and how can farms build resilience into the future.

Register here

Designated fox and wild dog bounty collection centres opened on Monday 29 June, operating in line with physical distancing requirements including established drop off and exclusion zones.

During the suspension period, bounty participants were encouraged to continue to collect fox scalps and wild dog body parts on private properties as part of pest control activities, and to freeze or air dry them.

Hunters are encouraged to refresh their knowledge of the terms and conditions of the bounty to ensure what they submit is acceptable.

Participants can submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward during scheduled collection times.

Ballarat collections (fox only) 25 Vickers St, Sebastopol

Time: 1 – 3 pm

Dates:

• Monday, 27 July
• Monday, 24 August
• Monday, 21 September
• Monday, 19 October

Horsham collections (fox only) 180 Horsham-Noradjuha Rd, Vectis

Time: 1.30 – 3.30 pm

• Wednesday, 8 July
• Wednesday, 5 August
• Wednesday, 2 September
• Wednesday, 30 September
• Wednesday, 28 October

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

Did you see our video on the new citrus traceability trial? The trial aims to show consumers the story from tree to table to give confidence in our quality Victorian produce.

Check out how we’re planning to use this innovative technology.

Watch the video here https://www.facebook.com/agriculturevictoria/videos/269719927596915

In partnership with the University of Melbourne, Agriculture Victoria is offering 32 PhD research fellowships in the grains, dairy and horticulture industries.

The fellowships will be based across Victoria at the department’s world-renowned research centres. Successful candidates will be rewarded with a $33,000 per annum scholarship, access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for professional development and overseas travel.

To find out more visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

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

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

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website. Log on to agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to find out what's on.

Fertility is a significant driver of profitability in beef breeding enterprises. Join us for a discussion on how bulls can be the missing link in herd fertility and how management decisions can ramp up fertility to the next level and improve profitability.

PRESENTER: Dr Shane Thomson, Holbrook Veterinary Centre. Shane is a veterinarian and partner at the Holbrook Veterinary Centre which specialises in production and breeding services to the beef industry.

DATE: Wednesday 15 July

TIME: 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

VENUE: Online or via phone

For those unable to join the webinar platform, a phone service is available, the details are on the registration page.

A recording of this event will be available afterwards.

REGISTER ONLINE: https://login.redbackconferencing.com.au/landers/page/6ea123

Click the above link to also register for the post event recording.

For further information or if you have any problems registering please contact Cathy Mulligan at cathy.mulligan@agriculture.vic.gov.au or 0438 341 970

Do you want to know more about all the pain relief options for livestock?

Join us for a free webinar with one of Australia’s leading cattle and sheep vets, Dr Andrew Whale.

Over the last few years it seems the options for pain relief within the livestock industry has exploded, resulting in confusion as to what’s best for your operation.

Andrew will take you through the range of different products available how to use them and when to use them?

WHAT: Pain relief in livestock. What's the best fit for my operation?

WHEN: Thursday 9th of July 2020

TIME: 8.00 – 9.00pm

WHERE: Online - wherever you like!

COST: Free

REGISTER :To register follow the link: https://bit.ly/2BHMfm0

What strategies do you have for managing diseases in pulses?

Join Dr Josh Fanning from Agriculture Victoria and  Dr Jenny Davidson from SARDI at 12:30 pm on Thursday 9 July for a GRDC pulse disease update in SA & VIC and develop a plan to prevent pulse disease.

Register now: https://buff.ly/2YKMXIs

Improving the effectiveness of management capabilities, can reduce the stress associated with making complicated decisions.

Date: 10 July
Time: 1 - 2 pm
More details at https://grdc.com.au/events/list?region=south 

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

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

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

DATE - Tuesday 21 July

TIME: 9.30am-11am.

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

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