• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Excellent farming workshop at Wedderburn and Wallup
• Telehandler tragedy a catalyst for new guidance
• The Very Fast Break
• Supplement feeding – grain poisoning risk
• Absentee farmer fined $5,000 for animal cruelty to herd
• Farm safety creative competition for kids
• Small-scale and craft program workshop in Hepburn Springs
• Federal assistance extended for Victoria storms and floods
• Connecting primary producers to prevent mental health risk
• Latest podcast episodes
• What's on?

The Victorian Government has announced a further easing of restrictions from 11:59pm tonight, Thursday 8 July. See the latest Statement from the Minister for Health for details.

Keep up to date with all the latest restrictions and requirements at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

Wimmera and North Central farmers and advisers have a unique opportunity to unravel what is ‘excellent farming’ with highly regarded agriculture scientist and author, Dr Kate Burke who will be at Wedderburn on Monday 19 July and in Wallup on Wednesday 21 July.

Led by Agriculture Victoria, the workshops will cover crops, people and money, and the influences that inform both business and personal decisions.

With 30 years’ experience in agriculture working with farmers, students, investors and regional communities in northwest Victoria, Dr Burke will provide valuable insights in managing risk on cropping farms and mixed farms.

Dr Burke uses evidence, experience and humour to shine a light on what matters for sustainable, profitable farming. She is also author of the new book ‘Crops people money and you, the art of excellent farming and better returns'.

Dr Burke said that managing the “external noise” and uncertainty with less stress is a skill that can be learnt. This hands-on, interactive ‘masterclass’ will teach those skills, combined with practical risk management.

“The Wimmera and North Central’s start to the season has been eventful,” she said.

“We are seeing record land prices on the back of good seasons.
“This year we are also dealing with price volatility, staggered crop emergence and challenging nitrogen decisions.

“Some farmers are pessimistic about the season while others are optimistic.”

Topics covered at this workshop will include:

• Better returns - what really drives profit?
• What drives potential and revenue at the whole farm level?
• The influence of climate ‘moods’ on your farm performance.
• Yield targets for guiding nitrogen management and grain marketing decisions; thinking in options, rather than averages.
• Money: taking the whole of farm long-term view to generating revenue and spending wisely.
• People: decision-making for robust and regret-free farming.
• You: the role you play in risk management.

Farmers are asked to bring farm maps, grain yield and gross margin records for crop types - the more years the better.

These workshops are funded by the Victorian Government’s Smarter, Safer Farms initiative through its skills program which provides targeted training to build capability in financial literacy, risk management, farm planning and adaption to climate change.

Wedderburn workshop: Monday 19 July, beginning at 12.30 pm at Wedderburn Bowls Club. Registrations are essential and numbers will be capped. Please contact Martin Hamilton on 0429 946 149 or martin.hamilton@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Wallup workshop: Wednesday 21 July at Wallup Hall, check-in begins at 8 am for an 8.30 am start, finishing at 11.30 am. Registrations are essential, and numbers will be capped. Please text or call Heather Drendel on 0427 868 705.

A tragic incident at a Wimmera feedlot in November 2020 was the catalyst for a new Telehandler Safety handbook for Victorian farmers.

Twenty per cent of on-farm injuries are caused by farm machinery, including telehandlers. Key risks include tipping by over-balancing the load, failing to see workers while reversing, creating a blind spot by not lowering the boom, and touching high voltage power lines.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Farm Safety Team partnered with the TeleScopic Handler Association to develop the Telehandler Safety handbook – a practical guide for farmers that highlights key safety considerations. 

A two-page flyer is also available that can be printed for employees, posted on noticeboards or made available in machinery sheds and tea rooms.

Key messages for telehandler users:

• Make sure that the view from the cab is not obstructed by the boom, cab pillars or other parts of the machine
• Lower the boom during travel to lower the centre of gravity and maximise stability and avoid contacting overhead powerlines
• High Risk Work Licences are required for operators of telehandlers with a load capacity over three tonnes. For telehandlers with a load capacity under three tonnes, the TSHA Operator Gold Card training is strongly recommended.

In addition to this guidance document, two safety advisors are available to provide advice and support to all Victorian farmers, free of charge.

The safety advisors spend three to four days a week visiting farms all over Victoria, undertaking safety audits and consulting with farmers.

The VFF Making Our Farms Safer Project is funded to deliver this work by the Victorian Government through the Growing Victoria’s Agriculture election commitment and Smarter Safer Farms program. 

To contact the VFF Farm Safety Team, phone Farm Safety Advisors John Darcy on 0432 156 223 or Richard Versteegen on 0499 772 472. 

You can also visit the Making our Farms Safer page on Facebook or Twitter.

Welcome to the Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clips.

We are partnering with the GRDC to bring you these short summaries for South Australia and Victoria and for the first time this year Southern NSW.

Click on the appropriate state to see the short YouTube video (5 min 07 sec).

• Play Victoria
• Play SA
• Play Southern NSW

If you have comments, questions or feedback address them to Dale Grey at the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Very Fast Break is produced by Agriculture Victoria as part of the GRDC (Southern and Northern Region) "Increasing grower and advisor capacity and confidence in seasonal forecasting - Southern region and SNSW" project.

Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer

Some producers may be considering supplementary feeding their livestock with grain or pellets. Such feeding can bring many benefits, but also carries the risk of grain poisoning.

Grain poisoning occurs when large amounts of starch are eaten and then rapidly fermented in the rumen or first stomach. This leads to the excessive production of lactic acid, which is absorbed into the animal’s body, reinforcing the condition’s other name, lactic acidosis.

Grain poisoning may occur when:

• grain or pellets are introduced too quickly
• there is a sudden increase in the amount of grain or pellets being fed
• there is a change in type of grain or pellets being fed
• there is insufficient feeding space leading to the dominant animals overeating
• farmers not being aware the same precautions need to be followed when feeding pellets
• accidental overeating due to storage areas not being sealed.

The clinical signs of grain poisoning should become apparent within 24 to 36 hours after the access to grain or pellets. In mild cases, cattle and sheep may show a decrease in appetite and appear quieter than usual.

In more severe cases, cattle and sheep may show weakness, lameness, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea ranging from porridge to water consistency, depending upon the severity of the condition, leading to dehydration. Severe cases of grain poisoning can be fatal.

Reducing the animal’s access to grain or pellets and increasing the availability of roughage can treat mild cases.

More severe cases may need to be drenched with sodium bicarbonate to neutralise the lactic acid. Unfortunately, severely affected animals are unlikely to respond well to treatment.

Following treatment, affected animals may develop hoof problems and lameness due to hoof damage caused by grain poisoning.

Like for many animal health problems, the best treatment is prevention, and the key to prevention is to gradually increase the proportion of grain or pellets in the diet at a rate at which the animal’s body can acclimatise.

Feeding guidelines are available in drought feeding guides for sheep and cattle, freely available from Agriculture Victoria at Home | Feeding Livestock | Agriculture Victoria

For further advice please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer.

Absentee farmer, Bruce Cook, was fined $5,000 in the Swan Hill Magistrates Court recently for animal cruelty to his herd.

The farmer pleaded guilty to two charges, one for cruelty and one aggravated cruelty offence. Without conviction he was fined $5,000 and costs awarded in the amount of $219.95 to the department.

The herd were agisted on a property at Lake Charm, near Swan Hill, approximately 410 kilometres from his residential address in Crossover.

At the time of the incident, Mr Cook was on a trip interstate and did not supervise the cattle himself or arrange for anyone to supervise the cattle in his absence. During the six-day period of extreme heat the cattle’s water source pump failed, resulting in the death of 32 cattle.

Agriculture Victoria Animal Health and Welfare Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can affect all producers.

“This is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or the community.”

“Also, those farmers who work as absentee owners are reminded that adequate supervision is a requirement particularly during risk times such as summer to ensure animals have proper and sufficient feed, water and shelter.”

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Looking for a creative school holiday activity? Kidsafe Victoria is running a farm safety creative competition for early learners and primary school aged children, with a $100 RH Sports voucher for the first 50 schools to enter.

Visit the Kidsafe website for more information.

There is still time to register for the Small-Scale and Craft Better Business Workshops!

We are heading to Hepburn Springs on 26 July, so book your spot below to find out ways to better your business.

Agriculture Victoria is hosting Better Business Workshops for Small-Scale and Craft growers and producers through the Small-Scale and Craft Program in Victoria on ways to improve your business with a focus on good business practices, accounting and online tools, legal advice and cyber security. Five expert panel members will discuss the below topics with a focus on small-scale growers and producers.

• Date: 26 July 
• Time: 2 pm
• Venue: Hotel Bellinzona
• Address: 77 Main Road, Hepburn Springs

Book Hepburn on 26 July.

Australian Government support payments activated for five additional local government areas across Victoria.

• Quickest and easiest way to claim is to call 180 22 66.
• Eligible recipients can make claims from Friday 2 July 2021.
• Check eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster.

The Australian Government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to support an additional five local government areas affected by the June storms and flooding across Victoria.

Support through the AGDRP and DRA is now available to the local government areas of Baw Baw, Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and Wellington.

Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the five local government areas announced are in addition to those already activated, taking the total to nine local government areas.

“The AGDRP provides a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home, serious injury or who have lost a family member,” Littleproud said.

“The DRA provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected because of this awful event. “By making these payments available, the Australian Government is helping people get back on their feet with dignity and respect.”

People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.

More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au

The National Centre for Farmer Health announced that the innovative and exciting new chat-based platform ‘Campfire’ is now live as part of the Primary Producer Knowledge Network.

Campfire provides an engaging, solution-focused community for farmers and fishers to proactively improve their systems of work in support of mentally healthy workplaces via:

• practical tools and resources,
• solution-focused stories that address work related challenges,
• interaction with experts and peer networks.

Online Campfires will be lit at each Tuesday – Thursday evening from 7:30pm, where primary producers can discuss work-related challenges.

Bonfires will be held fortnightly (Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm) where primary producers will hear from topic experts and participate in Q&A.

Register today to join the conversation, receive information about upcoming events and access topic blogs and podcasts by clicking here. 

Upcoming Bonfire Event Dates:

• 14 July - New to Farming
• 28 July – Communication – its more than your words
• 11 Aug – Planning for Success(ion)

My Rain Gauge is Busted

In the latest episode of ‘My Rain Gauge is Busted’, Agriculture Victoria’s climate specialist Graeme Anderson explains the differences between weather, seasonal forecast and climate change models and when and where to trust them.

To listen search 'My Rain Gauge is Busted' wherever you usually get your podcasts or listen in 🎧 here: https://go.vic.gov.au/31cuNY

AgVic Talk

In the latest episode if AgVic Talk hear about balancing location, variability and optimum capacity with Brett Findlay. 

To listen search 'AgVic talk' wherever you usually get your podcasts or listen in 🎧 on the Agriculture Victoria website.

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.

Agriculture Victoria is excited to be attending the following field days coming up in August.

Sheep Connect

Date: Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 August

Location: Hamilton Showgrounds, Shakespeare St, Hamilton

For more information visit the Sheep Connect website.

Mallee Machinery Field Days

Date: Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 August

Location: 2574 Sunraysia Highway, Speed

For more information visit the Mallee Machinery Field Days website. 

Has your farm been affected by soil erosion or sediment? 

Agriculture Victoria will provide information and approaches in responding to erosion impacts during this webinar.

Soil erosion and the associated movement of sediment is a common occurrence following bushfires and floods. Soil erosion can appear in many forms including landslips, sheet and rill erosion, scour gullies and gully head erosion. Soil erosion and associated sediment can damage dams, fences, tracks, and stream crossings.

Date: Tuesday 13 July 

Time: 7 – 8 pm

Venue: Zoom or phone

Speakers: Brad Costin and Clem Sturmfels

The Zoom meeting will open at 6.30 pm. Please join early to sort out any connection issues. For assistance contact Greg Ferrier on 0438 738 634

Topics: 

• Cause of soil erosion
• Farm impacts and maintenance
• Control techniques and responses
• Case studies
• Questions and answers.

Cost: Free

Register here.

Meeting ID: 951 0663 4604 Passcode: flood

Joining by phone:

Telephone call in number: (03) 7018 2005

Meeting ID: 951 0663 4604

Passcode: 840462

For further information contact Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer on 0429 018 879 or clem.sturmfels@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Hamilton collections: Hamilton Centre, Research Station Road, Hamilton

Collection type: Fox only

Time: 1.30 – 3.30 pm

• Wednesday, 28 July
• Wednesday, 25 August
• Wednesday, 22 September
• Wednesday, 20 October

Ballarat collections: 25 Vickers St, Sebastopol

Collection type: Fox only
Time: 1 – 3 pm

• Monday, 26 July
• Monday, 23 August
• Monday, 20 September
• Monday, 18 October 

Horsham collections: 180 Horsham-Noradjuha Rd, Vectis

Collection type: Fox and wild dog (wild dog by appointment only)
Time: 1.30 –  3.30 pm

• Wednesday, 4 August
• Wednesday, 1 September
• Wednesday, 29 September
• Wednesday, 27 October

Ouyen collections: Gregory St Ouyen

Collection type: Fox and wild dog (wild dog by appointment only)
Time: 2 – 4 pm

• Tuesday, 3 August
• Tuesday, 31 August
• Tuesday, 28 September
• Tuesday, 26 October 

St Arnaud collections: 4 Montague St, St Arnaud

Collection type: Fox only
Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

• Thursday, 5 August
• Thursday, 2 September
• Thursday, 30 September
• Thursday, 28 October

If you are attending a collection centre, you must comply with COVIDSafe principles including using QR code to check-in, physical distancing, good hygiene practices and wearing a face mask indoors (unless you have a lawful reason not to).

For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

GRDC Grains Research Update – Dimboola

The GRDC Grains Research Update events are for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers to see and discuss the latest in research and to network with their peers about how to apply new and relevant information to the latest farming systems.

Wednesday 14 July, 9 am - 1 pm

Dimboola Rowing Club, Recreation Reserve, Park St, Dimboola

For more information visit the GRDC website​.

GRDC Farm Business Update – Horsham

The GRDC Farm Business Update events drive innovation and adoption of improved farm business management practices across the grains industry.

Wednesday 28 July, 9.30 am

Horsham Town Hall, 71 Pynsent Street, Horsham

For more information visit the GRDC website.

Enjoying the Grampians Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.

It's easy – simply click this link.