Dealing with the Dry: Regional forums for growers

On-Farm Emergency Water rebate scheme

In a nutshell - 5th Australian Almond Research and Development forum and field day

National plan to combat climate change in agriculture

Tree removal program helping to fight fruit fly

Soils Community of Practice Update

Soil Moisture Monitoring - Pastures

Improve your nursery irrigation with water workshop

Agriculture Energy Investment Plan webinars

Young Farmer Business Network group on Facebook

Young Farmers Business Bootcamp in Kerang?

Look Over the Farm Gate funding

Planning support for small-scale pig and poultry producers

What's On

Save-the-dates

Firsthand experience of drought and an understanding of the toll it can take on farming businesses, bank balances and emotional well-being was the catalyst for a series of Dealing with the Dry: Farm management options during and after drought forums being run across the Victorian Mallee and Sunraysia region.

Initiated by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grower Relations Manager Susan McDonnell the forums aim to deliver practical advice ranging from how to talk about debt with your bank manager, to accessing government services and identifying and supporting mental health issues.

A grain grower herself, Mrs McDonnell said the GRDC Dealing with the Dry forums will be run in Lake Cullulleraine, Wentworth, Euston and Balranald and were focused on delivering genuinely helpful information directly to those in need.

“Unfortunately, like many people involved in rural industries, I know only too well the impact of drought. It can be extremely demoralising and leave you wondering how you will get through both from a financial and psychological perspective,” she said.

“These forums are about bringing communities together and offering support and advice on some really challenging topics, like how we talk to our bank manager about debt and what we can do to put ourselves in the best possible position for that conversation.

“As growers we all know our long-term business goals have been put on hold due to our income changes with the drought, so this is about understanding the different ways we can effectively manage our debt and limited cash flow while planning for the future.

“These forums aren’t about having all the answers. Instead, they are about starting interactive discussions and offering opportunities to question experts and build on our knowledge.”

Mrs McDonnell said rural financial counsellors would also present at the forums on how and what government services growers could access during dry times.

“As growers we don’t always have the time to fully investigate options when it comes to government services so this is a chance to hear what is available and how you can access it,” she said.

Specialists consultants will also offer guidance on managing dry conditions and evaluating farm planning for when the season breaks.

“We have invited experienced local farm advisers at each event to be part of this session so we are hearing realistic options for local conditions,” Mrs McDonnell said.

“Like many people involved with the GRDC, the drought is my daily reality too and while I know there is a limit to what we can do on-farm while it is dry, there are steps we can take to put ourselves in the best possible position to get through these tough times," she said.

“We encourage growers to attend and know that they will find the forums valuable.

"We delivered a similar series in NSW during July with grower feedback suggesting that the practical information and regionally relevant content helped them make important management decisions.”

“The forums have been extended across a wider area due to high demand and need."

The GRDC Dealing with Dry forums are open to growers, farm advisers and other community members and industry stakeholders and are free of charge.

The forums will be held as follows: 

LAKE CULLULLERAINE: WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER
8 am - 12.15 pm
Lake Cullulleraine Yacht Club - Part Lake Cullulleraine Recreation Reserve

WENTWORTH: WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER
2 pm - 6.15pm
Wentworth Tennis Club - Beverley Street, Wentworth

EUSTON: THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER
8 am - 12.30pm
Euston Club Resort - 1 Nixon Street, Euston

BALRANALD: FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
8 am - 12.15 pm
Senior Citizens Hall - 106 Market Street, Balranald

The workshops are free but registration is essential so we can cater accordingly and ensure you have an information kit.

To register visit: http://bit.ly/DealingwiththeDryNov or call Tina on (08) 8332 32 77.

The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is now available for the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock.

The scheme is available to eligible farm businesses in a number of local government areas, including: Campaspe, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Loddon, Strathbogie, Swan Hill, Mildura and Buloke.

Farm businesses outside of the above local government areas can make an application if they can demonstrate a critical water need for livestock resulting from current seasonal conditions.

These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The scheme is available for water infrastructure purchased since 1 July 2018 – guidelines and application details can be obtained from Rural Finance, call 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.au

Australian almond industry partners and collaborating researchers have been taking part this week in the R&D Forum and Field Day, presenting the latest updates on almond projects.

Presentations by respected Australian researchers and experts have been addressing issues, technology advancements, technical information and scientific research outcomes.

Agriculture Victoria researchers were among them, including;

• Jacky Edwards on ‘Integrated Disease Management in Almonds’,
• Paul Cunningham on ‘An Integrated Pest Management Program for the Australian Almond Industry – One season in’,
• Michael Treeby on ‘Updated on Agriculture Victoria’s Mildura Experimental Orchard and Victorian Research Developments’
• Zelmari Coetzee on ‘Spur Dynamics’

Read the full program here.

Agriculture ministers from around Australia came together in Melbourne last week to endorse a national program, led by Victoria, that will see governments work together to help farmers meet the challenges of climate change.

Much of Australia is facing severe drought and dry conditions are set to become more frequent and extreme as a result of climate change.

It is vital that governments across Australia work together to build the country’s response to droughts and our farms’ preparedness for ongoing difficult seasonal conditions, through a coordinated national approach that gives Australian producers access to support that will provide relief immediately and well into the future.

Victorian Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes welcomed the decision of the Agricultural Ministers’ Forum to commit to the national climate change work program, which will provide certainty to the agriculture and business sectors while supporting producers to build resilience against changing conditions.

Victoria led the development of the program, which focuses on four priorities:

• Delivering information and tools to improve on-farm decisions and risk management
• Driving research and innovation to support adaptation and mitigation technology
• Strengthening market opportunities and farming business models to build resilience
• Preparing for increasing biosecurity risks as the risk of pests, diseases and weeds changes

A new Climate Change Task Group will oversee the delivery of the program, regularly reporting to the Agriculture Senior Officials' Committee and Ministers on its progress.

Farmers across Australia know too well the challenges caused by climate change.

While they are good at adapting to difficult seasonal conditions, they need further support to thrive for decades, not years, to come.

Adapting to climate change makes good business sense, creating jobs for Australians and unlocking new investment opportunities.

Thousands of Sunraysia residents have chosen to remove their fruit trees over the past three years, helping to reduce Queensland fruit fly activity and support their local horticulture industries.

Since Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area’s free tree removal program began in 2016, more than 6280 host trees have been removed, including stone fruit, citrus, pome trees, and other problematic varieties such as feijoas and loquats.

The program has been successful in eliminating fruit fly host plants from across the area, however, there is still more to be done.

To reduce the external pressure on horticultural properties, the GSPFA is again offering tree removal for Victorian residents who live between Yelta and Kerang, either in town or on a residential block in rural areas.

For more information, click here.

The latest Soils Community of Practice Newsletter is now available.

In this edition we will be hearing from Chris Bluett, who is an agronomist with almost 50 years’ experience in the grains industry, working mainly on the expansion of crop production and improved cropping systems in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) of South-West Victoria.

His work has included the development of raised bed cropping and controlled traffic farming (CTF) in the HRZ, with a more recent role in the CTF in the low rainfall zone (LRZ) project.

He is Chairman of the Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association (ACTFA), an organisation that promotes the development and adoption of CTF across the grains, horticulture, sugar cane, cotton and forage industries.

For a comprehensive overview of the current soil topics locally and overseas, view the September October newsletter here.

The Agriculture Victoria Pasture Soil Moisture Monitoring project provides instant soil water content and temperature data through a network of soil moisture probes. 

Probe monitoring sites have been installed across a range of pasture and soil types in the medium to high rainfall zones of Victoria.

The sites record soil water content from between 10 and 80 centimetres below ground.

It’s hoped this pilot project will have application in dairy, beef and sheep grazing systems in the future.

To subscribe, click here.

Agriculture Victoria is offering a two-day workshop for nursery irrigators who are interested in the latest information on nursery irrigation management.

Normally valued at over $500, Agriculture Victoria is providing this workshop free to Mallee irrigators.

Presenters are Agriculture Victoria Irrigation Manager (Mallee) Jeremy Giddings and Bill Yiasoumi, nursery irrigation consultant.

Mr Giddings said the WATERWORK workshop had been run for many years throughout Australia helping the nursery industry meet its environmental guidelines for waste water.

“Most nurseries can save large quantities of water and nutrients by lowering their system application rates and improving their evenness,” he said.

Mr Giddings said nursery managers doing the workshop had reported better plant quality with faster and more even growth and significant water savings.

“The outcomes are a win for the nursery and environment,” he said.

The WATERWORK workshop is a combination of lectures, practical exercises and classroom exercises, conducted over two days.

The participants are introduced to three important measurements that can help them evaluate their irrigation system: Mean Application Rate — MAR, Coefficient of Uniformity — Cu % and Scheduling Coefficient — Sc.

The workshop will take place on Wednesday, 13 November from 9 am – 4 pm and Thursday, 14 November from 9 am – 3 pm at SuniTAFE Farm, 161 Dairtnunk Avenue, Irymple.

Day 1 - Overhead sprinklers, mobile booms, hand watering. Practical Session: Evaluating sprinkler performance • drip irrigation • bottom watering systems • operating and scheduling irrigation systems • irrigation system audit • irrigation system design

Day 2 - Water supply and irrigation requirements • water treatment (includes water testing) • water disinfestation, drainage and recycling, site assessment for drainage • drainage system design • dealing with drainage water • review and wrap-up

To register contact Jeremy Giddings on (03) 5051 4566 or jeremy.giddings@agriculture.vic.gov.au before 8 November.

Come and join investment plan expert Peter Harrison as he explains the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan Assessment and Grant application process.

The 30-minute webinar 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).

An energy assessment is not required for the Streamlined Dairy Grants.

DATE, TIME AND REGISTRATION

Friday 1 November from 1 – 1.30 pm
To register or join the webinar please visit:
https://ecodev.webex.com/ecodev/onstage/g.php?MTID=e70bda3bfe9cbacb0a938a48b0a4b46cb

For more information on the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan visit:
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/agriculture-energy-investment-plan

For more information please contact Sarah Clack at Agriculture Victoria Tatura on (03) 5824 5502 or sarah.clack@agriculture.vic.gov.au

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.

Agriculture Victoria is taking expressions of interest to run a Young Farmer Business Bootcamp in Kerang.

We need a minimum of ten businesses for the program to go ahead.

The two-day bootcamp is suited to those who are young or new to managing a farm business and wanting to forge a long and successful career in beef, sheep and mixed farming enterprises by developing the skills required to respond to risks, such as dry seasonal conditions.

The bootcamp is delivered over two days - 5 and 12 Februrary 2020.

Participants can expect to improve their understanding of profit and loss and cash flow budgeting, balance sheets and gross margins, planning for and managing risks and financial planning and analysis.

Participants register here on eventbrite.

If you are unable to register using eventbrite or would like further information, please contact Sarah Wallis on (03) 5761 1573.

The bootcamps will be delivered by Tristan Wardley, Farm Business Economist, Agriculture Victoria.

Frequently asked questions:

Do I need to attend both days?

Yes, this is a two-day program.

What can I bring into the event?

Course materials are provided.

Loddon Mallee farmers and communities facing drought and dry conditions can apply for funding under the Look Over the Farm Gate Program.

Look Over the Farm Gate events let farmers take a break from the farm, reconnect, access professional support and participate in mental health training.

The program encourages community groups to think creatively about what single event or series of events would be most effective.

It could be anything from a barbeque and comedy night, regular fitness meet-ups in the park, or a family movie night.

Look Over the Farm Gate is a mental health and wellbeing initiative funded by the Victorian State Government.

It's managed by the VFF in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Country Women’s Association, the Country Fire Authority, and The National Centre for Farmer Health.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit the website.

Provides Victorian small-scale pig and poultry producers with funding of up to $3,000 to help them with the costs related to obtaining a land use planning permit.

Who can apply:

At a minimum, you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be seeking a land use planning permit for an existing or proposed small-scale pig or poultry farm located in Victoria
• complete a small-scale pig and poultry planning workshop prior to applying for the grant program

Other eligibility requirements may apply.

Deadline to apply: Applications close: 31 May 2020

Applications will remain open until 31 May 2020, or when the funding allocation is expended, whichever occurs first.

Contact information: 13 61 86 or psai@ecodev.vic.gov.au

APPLY HERE: Planning Support Program for Small-Scale Pig and Poultry Producers VIC

Agriculture Victoria will cancel workshops on Code Red fire danger days

Recording of Forecasts4Profit and Local Climate Tool webinar

Presented by Dale Grey (Seasonal Risk Agronomist, Agriculture Victoria) and Peter Hayman (Principle Science Climate Applications, SARDI)

In the webinar, Dale and Peter discussed two new tools that might be useful for growers:

• Forecasts4Profit website
• Local Climate Tool

These tools have been created to help Victorian, South Australian, Southern NSW and Tasmanian growers assess the impact of climate drivers on regional weather patterns.

View the recording here.

Duration: 1 hour

The webinar was recorded on Friday 25 October at 12 pm.

FREE Dry-time regional forums for growers
Growers are invited to attend the dry-time regional forums which offer practical information on:

• Nutrition status of eroded paddocks
• Soil nutrition and budgeting
• What to expect from weeds and managing herbicide residues
• Crop / variety selection to sow following erosion and / or rebuilding good stubble cover
• Soil, fallow and herbicide residue management
• Sheep feeding strategies
• Cash-flow planning and debt management
• Accessing and utilising government services (grants and application support)

Presenters will provide locally relevant content and will include panel sessions to get your questions answered.

Each attendee will receive a resource kit to assist farm management decisions in the dry.

The forums will be held as follows:

LAKE CULLULLERAINE: WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER
8 - 12:15 pm
Lake Cullulleraine Yacht Club - Part Lake Cullulleraine Recreation Reserve

WENTWORTH: WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER
2 – 6.15pm
Wentworth Tennis Club - Beverley Street, Wentworth

EUSTON: THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER
8 am – 12.30 pm
Euston Club Resort - 1 Nixon Street, Euston

BALRANALD: FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
8 am – 12.15 pm
Senior Citizens Hall - 106 Market Street, Balranald

The workshops are free but registration is essential so we can cater accordingly and ensure you have an information kit.

To register visit:  http://bit.ly/DealingwiththeDryNov 

Or call Tina on (08) 8332 3277.

Date and time

Monday, 11 November from 8 pm

Monday, 18 November from 9 pm

Agriculture Victoria is conducting this interactive two-part webinar to assist Victorian livestock producers to use the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database to complete transactions, including Property-to-Property (P2P) transfers.

This two-part webinar is relevant to cattle, sheep and goat producers.

All sheep and goats and cattle tagged with an EID NLIS tag must be transferred on the NLIS database when they are moved between two different Victorian Property Identification Codes (PICs).

This interactive two-part webinar will walk producers through setting up and using the NLIS database.

Topics to include:

• Setting up, navigating and using the NLIS database
• Management of livestock movements onto your property
• Property-to-Property (P2P) transfers on the NLIS database.

This is a two-part webinar, delivered 8 - 9pm Monday, 11 November and 8 – 9 pm Monday, 18 November.

You must attend both parts to participate.

Numbers are limited to allow for an interactive session.

If you have any problems with registering online please call (03) 5761 1647.

On Tuesday 12 November, the Victoria Gorse Taskforce (VGT) is holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 1.30 pm at State Government Office in Ballarat.

The VGT will conduct a short presentation outlining major activities and achievements that have occurred over the last 12 months and announce their 2019/20 grant recipients.

The VGT are also currently accepting nominations for committee positions in 2019/20, at which all current committee positions will be vacated and a new committee will be formed.

The VGT are looking for highly motivated individuals, that have a passion for weed control and want to take positive actions to help local community groups implement integrated Gorse control programs across Victoria.

As a member of the state-wide committee you will have a shared responsibility to oversee the coordination and implementation of the Victorian Gorse Control Strategy 2014-2019 (VGCS).

Nominations for the 2019/20 VGT committee will be accepted up until Friday 1st November 2019.

If you or your organisation are interested in attending, please RSVP to our Executive Officer, Nicole Garfi on 0417 593 250 or by email to info@vicgorsetaskforce.com.au by Friday 1 November 2019.

For more information about the VGT, visit the VGT website to find more information and to view the Victorian Gorse Control Strategy.

Wednesday, 13 November – 9 am – 4 pm
Thursday, 14 November – 9 am – 3 pm

SuniTAFE FARM – 161 DAIRTNUNK AVENUE CARDROSS

Agriculture Victoria is offering a two-day workshop for nursery irrigators who are looking to receive the latest information on nursery irrigation management.

Normally valued at over $500, Agriculture Victoria is providing this workshop free to Mallee irrigators.

Presenters are Jeremy Giddings, Agriculture Victoria and Bill Yiasoumi, nursery irrigation consultant.

WATERWORK PROGRAM

Day 1 – Irrigation systems

• Overhead sprinklers, mobile booms, hand watering • Practical Session: Evaluating sprinkler performance • Drip Irrigation • Bottom Watering Systems • Operating and Scheduling Irrigation Systems • Irrigation System Audit • Irrigation System Design

Day 2 – Water supply and treatment

• Water supply and irrigation requirements • Water Treatment (includes water testing) • Water Disinfestation

Drainage and recycling

• Site assessment for drainage • Drainage system design • Dealing with drainage water • Review and Wrap-up

REGISTER WITH: Jeremy Giddings, Agriculture Victoria on (03) 5051 4566 or at jeremy.giddings@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

RSVP: Friday, 8 November

Numbers strictly limited.

A series of free grain storage webinars delivered by 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.

12 November – grain protectants
10 December – aeration cooling

Click here for more information and to register or contact Amy Harwood via amy.harwood@bcg.org.au or 0456 979 561.

Grower R&D Update Future Orchards®

Connect with 80+ growers, agronomists and scientists to explore the latest research findings from the world of pome fruit.

Refreshed as a standalone event in 2019, the programme is dedicated to share the latest research projects, focusing on orchard management techniques to lift production and improve fruit quality.

On day two, we are teaming up with Future Business to hold their first workshop “Powerful changes secure cost savings”.

Why attend?

High-calibre agenda: World-renowned researchers and fellow growers will challenge your thinking on your orchard management techniques.

Unparalleled networking: Held at the iconic MCG, connect with growers and researchers throughout the day and enjoy a behind the scenes tour, finishing up with a drink at the Stumps Bar.

News you can use: Our packed agenda will provide you with the R&D insights and first-hand perspectives to drive change in your orchard.

Key topics:

• Transforming your orchard irrigation with sensors and monitoring
• How soil characteristics can improve water and nutrient use efficiency
• Water efficiency and techniques for a sustainable future
• Securing pollination through revegetation
• Biodiversity of pollinators in Apple orchards
• Pollination in protected cropping – learnings from NZ
• What you can do now to improve pollination and what you need to start thinking about to safeguard your business into the future
• Tatura Smart Farm – introduction to the Sundial experimental orchard
• Precision automation, the new frontier for crop loading
• Making sense of AI, machine learning, and data science
• The pros and cons of protective netting
• Combating codling moth with the mastrus wasp
• Real-time monitoring for the presence and location of fruit fly
• Cold chain disinfestation and quality management for market access
• Preparing for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Click here to download the full agenda with session outlines

Utilising technology to improve labour efficiency and fruit quality

This spring, join us as we take a stroll through Chaplin orchard and hear from global experts on how you can utilise agri-technology to maximize production, improve fruit quality, and optimise labour to remain competitive.

Being spring the field session will also discuss and demonstrate the latest knowledge regarding the critical spring tasks particularly thinning.

Following the orchard walk Fruit Growers Victoria will be holding their AGM from 1pm to 2pm.

For further information
APAL Southern Victoria Front Line Adviser – Camilla Humphries on 0419 107 245 or via email chumphries@eemuir.com.au

https://apal.org.au/events/spring-future-orchards-walk-southern-victoria/

Agriculture Victoria is hosting an Occasional Counsellor™ workshop facilitated by David Cherry, a clinical and forensic psychologist. 

This workshop is for service providers and support workers who are not employed in a counselling role but are called upon to give others emotional support.

The focus of the workshop is on teaching participants strategies for assisting individuals who are sad, upset, bewildered, confused, angry or have suicidal concerns.

Date – Monday 2 December 2019    
Time - 10.30 am - 4 pm 
Location - Agriculture Victoria, Acacia Room - Koorlong Avenue and 11th Avenue, Irymple.
Catering – Lunch and afternoon tea provide

Workshop content:

• the skills of the helper including the importance of empathy and when not to empathise
• understanding professional boundaries, including your role and the limits of your role
• the difference between emotional support and counselling
• simple, practical strategies for supporting individuals who may be acutely emotionally distressed, including making appropriate referrals, while keeping yourself safe and remaining in your role
• self-care for the worker

Register online -  https://irymple2019.eventbrite.com.au or contact Rachel Jacobson 0436 814 241 if you need help registering.

For event information - contact Rob O’Shannessy 0400 821 588

For more information about assistance available to help farmers manage during drought conditions call 136 186 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

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