Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Farmers and producers are vital to all Victorian communities and play an important role during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Premier has implemented restrictions or shutdown of non-essential activity aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

In addition to this, the Government has advised the community to practice social distancing of 1.5 metres between people.

Farms and agribusinesses are not included in the current bans agreed by the National Cabinet on Tuesday 24 March.

The agricultural supply chain is essential to maintaining the flow of food to our supermarkets and kitchen tables.

The situation continues to rapidly change and we urge you to regularly check the Department of Health and Human Services website for the latest update coronavirus.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer has also developed a factsheet with advice for animal owners during the pandemic.

More information is available on the website at http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/coronavirus

• Suitable season for Barber's pole worm
• Dunkeld animal champion wins rural women's award
• Lead poisoning in livestock
• Water hyacinth – don't buy, sell or give it away

Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer

Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is the most important parasite that needs to be controlled in sheep within summer rainfall areas of Australia.

Therefore, it would not be surprising if we see outbreaks of disease due to Barber’s pole worm with the warm, moist conditions we have recently experienced.

Adult Barber’s pole worms live in the fourth stomach of sheep. The mature female worms are visible to the naked eye.

The gut of the worm is red, as it is full of blood. Wound around the gut is the white ovary, packed with hundreds of eggs. This red and white spiral effect gives the worm its name as it looks like the classic barber’s pole.

The adult female worms are prolific egg producers leading rapidly to a heavy pasture contamination.

During warm, moist conditions these eggs hatch into larvae and are eaten by sheep while grazing.

Given their prolific production, worm populations can build up rapidly.

Like other internal parasites, Barber’s pole worms mainly affect weaners and lactating ewes.

Barber’s pole worms feed by sucking blood leading to anaemia and ‘bottle jaw’, but not necessarily weight loss or diarrhoea.

Just 1000 adult Barber’s pole worms can remove 50 ml of blood from a sheep per day.

Consequently, Barber’s pole worm outbreaks can lead to high mortalities in a short space of time.

Barber’s pole worms can be detected at post-mortem, or in live animals by a faecal egg count.

As with other internal parasites, producers need to be aware that drench resistance to Barber’s pole worm is becoming increasingly common.

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

A Dunkeld farmer’s passion to boost the resilience of her local community by building connections through animals has seen her take out the 2020 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes this week announced Kelly Barnes as the winner of the prestigious award, and Victoria’s candidate for the national title to be awarded in Canberra later in the year.

Ms Barnes will receive a $10,000 Westpac bursary to help her pilot a Working Dog Training School in Dunkeld.

The idea for the Working Dog Training School came from Ms Barnes’ love and respect for her working dogs. She believes working dogs are a great way to bring people together, not only to improve their dog handling skills but also to break down social barriers and aid mental health.

Ms Barnes was one of four finalists for the prestigious award, alongside Kerryn Wildenburg from Kyneton, Jackie Elliott from Byaduk, and Katrina van Eyk from Pyramid Hill.

Each of the 2020 Victorian finalists will join the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni in recognition of their achievements.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award acknowledges the significant role women play in agriculture and rural communities. The award is supported by Agriculture Victoria and is sponsored nationally by AgriFutures and Westpac.

Unfortunately no event to celebrate the finalists’ achievements was possible this year due to the Government’s responsibilities responding to the coronavirus crisis. Each finalist was able to speak with the Minister and there are plans for an event when circumstances permit.

More information about the Rural Women’s Award is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Dr Rachel Gibney, District Veterinary Officer

Over the past year a significant number of properties in south west Victoria have had cattle die from lead poisoning.

The most common source of lead accessed by cattle comes from old car batteries that have been discarded beside sheds, in farm tips, or that have been burnt in bonfires.

Cattle have also been known to lick old paint that contains lead and consequently be poisoned.

Cattle find lead sweet and palatable, and they will selectively choose to eat it. If they find a lead battery, they often eat lumps of lead which will then sit in their stomach and act as an ongoing source of lead to the animal.

Lead toxicity in cattle is a concern for multiple reasons. Often the first indication that animals may have accessed lead is to find dead livestock. Lead also causes neurological signs such as blindness, depression and circling.

Low level poisoning may lead to gastrointestinal signs such as decreased appetite, colic and constipation, followed by diarrhoea.

It is important that cattle exposed to lead do not reach the human food chain, so restrictions are placed on the sale of such animals.

Cattle may show no signs of being poisoned, but have a blood or tissue lead level that is of concern for food safety.

Blood testing can be performed to check if cattle have been exposed to lead.

Livestock other than cattle may also be affected if they ingest lead.
The best approach is to prevent exposure to lead.

Check to ensure that no old batteries are lying around on your property. If you suspect old paint may contain lead, make sure that livestock do not have access to the area.

For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

Water hyacinth is a highly invasive weed that is choking lakes, rivers and water ways around the world and Agriculture Victoria is encouraging Victorians to report it to prevent it from taking hold in Victoria.

Water hyacinth may look pretty but has a well-deserved reputation for being the world’s worst water weed.

If you see or have any water hyacinth, or any other State prohibited weed, report it to the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or email weed.spotters@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

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