• New urban network to bolster our plant health
• Soils Community of Practice update
• Finding the next generation of lamb leaders
• On-farm emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme
• Look over the farm gate grants
• What's on?

Urban gardeners will have the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge to ensure the health of their 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 last 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.

The September/October edition of the Soils Community of Practice update is now available.

In this edition agronomist Chris Bluett discusses the expansion of crop production in the high rainfall zone, highlighting how growers in Victoria's south west region have improved their cropping practices.

Get the Soils Community of Practice newsletter delivered to you by subscribing here.

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/

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 the following local government areas: Benalla, Campaspe, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Loddon, Moira, Strathbogie, Swan Hill, Wellington, Northern Grampians, Mildura, Wodonga, Alpine, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Towong, Buloke, Horsham, and Indigo.

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

Farmers and communities facing drought and dry conditions across northern and north west Victoria should apply now for funding under the Look Over the Farm Gate Program.

Look Over the Farm Gate events are an opportunity for farmers to take a break from the farm, reconnect with their community, access professional support and participate in mental health training.

You know what your community needs, so we encourage 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 Government and managed by the Victorian Farmers Federation in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Country Women’s Association, Country Fire Authority, and National Centre for Farmer Health.

Applications are still being accepted for events and are assessed on a first in best dressed basis.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit the website at lookoverthefarmgate.org.au

Agriculture Victoria will cancel workshops on Code Red fire danger days

You are invited to attend APAL Future Business workshop being held at Tatura on Friday 8 November from 12 pm – 4 pm.

This workshop will be examining risks and obligations facing business owners and managers in the pome industry.

This workshop will explore the key components of risk, looking at existing business risks and how to mitigate them. There will be an opportunity to explore who owns and controls specific data and information and how financial reporting and strategy play a role in effective management.

The presenters will touch on a range of topics including:

• practical applications that promote ease of reporting and processes;
• the key components of risk
• current risks to business
• how to prepare for and mitigate risk
• the responsibility on health and safety
• internal controls
• environmental impacts and
• an opportunity in the industry to share risk through the creation of a Discretionary Mutual Fund.

Location – Agriculture Victoria, 255 Ferguson Road, Tatura. For further information call APAL on (03) 9329 3511

To register go to https://bit.ly/2P8fKlW

This spring, join APAL as we take a stroll through Jeftomson’s Coomboona 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.

Don’t miss the opportunity of seeing up-close the Swarmbot Indigo being demonstrated in the field at Jeftomson orchard.

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

For further information contact APAL Northern Victorian Front Line Adviser Michael Crisera on 0427 239 871 or growerservices@fgv.com.au

Date and time – Friday 8 November from 8 – 11:30 am
Location – Jeftomson Orchard, 480 Trotter Road, Coomboona.

Are you looking at conserving fodder this season? Come along to our on-farm field day on Thursday 7 November in the Corryong area.

Topics will include:

• assessment of standing fodder
• conserving dry matter, energy and protein
• feed test interpretation
• nutrient removal.

The location will be confirmed upon registration. Lunch will be provided.

Please register by Wednesday 6 November by contacting Upper Murray Landcare Network on (02) 6072 7502 or umlandcare@bigpond.com

This activity is supported by North East CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare program and Agriculture Victoria.

Investment plan expert Peter Harrison will be explaining the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan assessment and grant application process, including an overview of streamlined dairy grants, on a webinar being held Friday 1 November.

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.

For more information on the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan visit https://go.vic.gov.au/OA0q2v

Please register for this 30-minute webinar below.

Friday 1 November, 1 to 1.30 pm register at https://bit.ly/2pxJVrP

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

Agriculture Victoria is hosting a series of free workshops to help new and existing small-scale pig and poultry producers prepare a land use planning permit application.

Attending participants will be eligible for the supporting grants program offering up to $3,000 for expenses related to on-farm works, consultancy, or training that supports the preparation of a land use planning permit application.

These workshops will provide information and advice on:

• Planning requirements
• Property development, locality and nutrient management plans and
• Identification of site improvements needed to support planning permit applications.

Locations

• Lismore – Thursday, 7 November
• Benalla – Tuesday 12 November
• Broadford – Tuesday 19 November.

Webinar (Online) Thursday 21 and 28 November 12.30 – 2.30pm (must attend both dates to qualify)

Face-to-face workshops run 9.15am – 3pm.

Lunch will be provided, so please indicate any dietary allergies on registering.

If these locations do not suit your needs, be sure to register an expression of interest (link below) so we can hold our next workshops at a location convenient to you.

Pre-workshop preparation
Agriculture Victoria may contact registered participants to determine property specific details prior to the workshop. This will allow us to provide participants with farm maps and/or aerial images.

Please register via Eventbrite at: https://agvic-pig-poultry.eventbrite.com.au

For more information email Ann McDowell at ann.mcdowell@agriculture.vic.gov.au or 0436 934 343.

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a two-part webinar for producers using the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database. 

Participants will learn how to complete a Property-to-Property (P2P) transfer and use the database features.

Topics include: Setting up, navigating and using the NLIS database and Completing Property-to-Property (P2P) transfers on the NLIS database.

Book your free tickets online at:
http://agriculturevictoriaevents.eventbrite.com then select ‘NLIS Database Practical Workshop – Webinar’

For more information, or if you have trouble registering, please call (03) 5761 1647.

Numbers are limited to allow for an interactive session, so be quick to secure a spot!

Connect with more than 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 program 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’.

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: The 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.

Date and time – Wednesday 13 November from 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Location – Melbourne Cricket Ground – Legends Room, Brunton Avenue, Richmond
For more information call (03) 9329 3511
To register go to https://www.apal.org.au/

GrazFert is a farm nutrient management program that enables livestock farmers to make better fertiliser decisions.

It provides an opportunity for farmers to access independent support and advice to optimise their soil management with information on interpreting soil tests, minimising nutrient losses, reducing soil acidity and maximising the economic returns from fertiliser and lime inputs.

What’s involved:

• Farm visit to collect two soil samples to assess a range of soil parameters including nutrients, pH and cationexchange capacity
• Preparation of a nutrient management plan by Agriculture Victoria staff
• Attendance at two local workshops focused on soil test interpretation and nutrient budgeting.

To learn more about the GrazFert program, check out the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4qr7N_UYTsw

COST $150 per farm business (maximum of 10 businesses/program)

Dates

Soil sampling: Commencing October

Workshop 1: Soil test interpretation November/December

Workshop 2: Nutrient budgeting February/March 2020

Location 

Ovens and King Valley workshop venue to be confirmed

Register 

Please register your interest by contacting Ian Gamble, Agriculture Victoria Rutherglen on 0437 362 620 or at ian.gamble@agriculture.vic.gov.au

This project is supported by North East CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare program and Agriculture Victoria.

NRM Regions Australia, along with North East Catchment Management Authority, is pleased to host Australia’s 7th National NRM Knowledge Conference. Our conference theme and question is: Creating Resilience through Natural Resource Management – how do we do it?

Here is your opportunity to engage with people working in the NRM sector from across Australia. Whether you work for NRM regional organisations, R&D organisations, territory, state and national agencies, NGOs or you are active in your local community we would love to see you in Wodonga. You will have the opportunity to hear the latest news from our research institutes and our partner government agencies and to contribute to the future direction of NRM in Australia.

We’re planning a highly interactive conference with very different types of sessions. Our aim for the conference is to identify a shared future for Australian natural resource management – and actions we will collectively pursue to address the Conference theme.

National NRM Knowledge Conferences have been held regularly over the past 15 years and provide an opportunity for NRM practitioners to share knowledge and build national networks with other practitioners, NRM regional organisations, individuals, government and non-government agencies.

To register, click here

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.

12 November – grain protectants
10 December – aeration cooling

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.

Click here