Issue 18

June 2017

 
 

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

 
 

JUNE BRINGS BIG CHANGES FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS​

 

 

JOHNE'S DISEASE UPDATE
​​Transitional arrangements are ending as of 30 June 2017. Producers who have not implemented an on-farm biosecurity plan with a J-BAS score of 7 or 8 will revert to a score of 6 rather than 0. Read more in our latest news below.

 

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION ASSURANCE PROGRAM UPDATE
​In a new update from the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) Program, accredited producers will be required to have an on-farm biosecurity plan in place. A learning module will be available to guide producers through the new LPA bioseurity requirements in July. Keep an eye out on AHA's website and social media for the latest updates.
 

CONGRATULATIONS

​Over the Queen's birthday weekend, AHA Chairman Peter Milne was recognised as a member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia. How lucky we are to have someone of Peter’s calibre on our board!

 

ANIMAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA
​This month saw the latest edition of Animal Health in Australia (AHiA) reach finalisation. I'd like to extend a warm thank you to everyone involved in the creation of this publication and look foward to working on it all again next year. Not only does it look fabulous, but what a fantastic summary of the breadth and depth of Australia’s agriculture industry.

 

I hope you enjoy reading this month's edition of express

 

 

 

 
 

​Kathleen Plowman, CEO

 
 
 

IN THE NEWS

 
 

Johne's disease frequently asked questions

Animal Health Australia have put together a handy FAQ webpage for anyone who may still have concerns over the new Johne's disease and biosecurity plan requirements.
​Read them all here
 

Johne's disease update
 

 

Biosecurity focus the way of the future for livestock producers
 

Animal Health Australia, Media release, 01 June 2017

Transitional arrangements for J-BAS end on 1 July 2017 and cattle producers across Australia are urged to implement an on-farm biosecurity plan in order to maintain their current J-BAS. J-BAS is managed by Animal Health Australia (AHA) on behalf of the Cattle Council of Australia (CCA), who represent the industry.

 

In an important update for producers, herds with a transition score of J-BAS 7 or 8 will revert to a  J-BAS 6 rather than J-BAS 0, if no on-farm biosecurity plan is in place by 1 July 2017.


Read more
 

 
 
 
 

Big changes coming for Livestock Production Assurance – new $60 fee, animal welfare inclusions

 

Beef Central, 07 June 2017

Significant changes will be introduced to the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) system in October.

 

Read more

 

LPA changes ensure producers can stand by what they sell

 

Australia’s world leading red meat integrity system will be enhanced and strengthened through significant upgrades to the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Image provided by Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

White spot disease containment reinforced

 

Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Media Release, 16 June 2017

 

Today, the Queensland Government introduced a new biosecurity regulation aimed at strengthening the containment of white spot disease and further protecting Queensland’s multi-million dollar seafood industry.

 

Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said this regulation has been introduced to contain white spot disease and prevent further outbreaks.

 

Read more

 

 

 
 
 
 

The face of biosecurity in NSW is changing.

 

NSW Department of Primary Industries

On 1 July 2017 the new Biosecurity Act 2015 will commence, supported by the Biosecurity Regulations 2017. The Act will replace all or part of 14 existing Acts.

 

Read more

 
 

Meet our board

 
 

Dr Len Stephens, Director since 2016

 

 

Dr Len Stephens is a veterinarian with PhD training in pathology and microbiology.

 

He is the Managing Director of the Seafood CRC Company Ltd, Chairman of Australian Seafood Industries Pty Ltd, a Director of the Rural Industries R&D Corporation and a Director of the South Australian Estuary Care Foundation.

 

 

 
 

Monthly catch-up

 
 

This month we caught up with Robin Condron. Before his recent retirement, Robin was a key member of Dairy Australia (and the dairy industry) for a number of years. We had a chat about his role in the industry and his thoughts on the industries future.

 

What was your role at Dairy Australia?
I was recruited to Dairy Australia when it was established fifteen years ago. My role was to provide strategic direction and to support the dairy industry across a broad range of technical issues. These included areas such as; food standards, animal health and welfare, domestic and international regulations, agricultural and veterinary chemical risks, microbiological risks, biosecurity and quality assurance practices.  I was able to utilise and build on my former experience from leading veterinary research and diagnostic activities at the Victorian Institute of Animal Science.

 

Read more

 
 

AHA and member updates

 
 

A big congratulations to our Chairman Peter Milne!
 

 

Chair of Animal Health Australia Peter Milne has been named as a member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia.

 

“We are so pleased to announce that our Chairman, Peter Milne has been named a member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia”, said AHA CEO Kathleen Plowman. “He has been recognised for his significant contributions to both animal health and biosecurity programs. Over the past few decades, Peter has held many senior positions in the livestock and meat industry at both state and national levels. Since joining the Animal Health Australia board in 2002, he has been an active member with us, becoming our Chairman in 2011. This is a fantastic achievement and we are honoured to have you on our board”.

 

Read more about Peter here

 
 

Animal Health Australia (AHA) publishes (in collaboration with our members) the Animal Health in Australia (AHiA) series of annual reports that provide a comprehensive summary of Australia’s animal health status and system.

 

Download the 2016 edition here

 
 
 

Red Meat Industry gives DEXA the tick

 

Cattle Council of Australia, Media Release, 21 June 2017

Australia’s Red Meat Peak Industry Councils, representing cattle and sheep producers, lot feeders and red meat processors, have given their support to the introduction of objective measurement across industry, including the adoption of Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technology, to provide a single scientific measurement of lean meat yield.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Antimicrobial resistance

 

Agriculture Victoria’s new antimicrobial resistance (AMR) web pages are live.
With information for the general public, farmers, pet owners and anyone else who looks after animals. The new webpage also provides prescribing guidelines, fact sheets and posters for veterinarians regarding myths of AMR and appropriate antimicrobial use.

 

Read more

 
 

Have your say on the future direction of biosecurity
 

You can now have your say on the draft Queensland Biosecurity Strategy: 2017-2022 to help set the future direction for biosecurity in Queensland.

This is a first step towards more detailed action planning about how government, industry and the community will work together to prioritise biosecurity in Queensland.

Visit www.qld.gov.au/biosecuritystrategy to have your say by 5pm, 14 July 2017.
 

For more information visit the website: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/biosecurity/about-biosecurity/draft-queensland-biosecurity-strategy or contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

 
 
 

Peak veterinary association welcomes new president

 

Dr Paula Parker has become the national president of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), which represents close to 10,000 veterinarians and veterinary students.


Dr Parker said it was an honour and privilege to be elected President of the AVA.


“The depth and diversity of skills of our members is humbling as is their commitment to work proactively together to advance veterinary science and support each other and their communities.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

 Meet our staff!

 

Daniel Hadiwibawa is our Graphic Designer. He graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor in Graphic Design as well as an Advance Diploma in Graphic Design from the Canberra Institute of Technology.

 

Daniel has worked as a graphic designer for the past five years where he has specialised in many areas including logo/corporate identity design, advertising, publications, signage and social media. The current edition of AHiA is a great example of his recent work!.

 

 
 

Great shot of presenters at the Wildlife Health Australia and Australian Veterinary Association Biology special interest group’s collaborative workshop! A fantastic learning initiative about the role of vets in an Emergency Animal Disease situation.

Pictured L-R: Frank Wong (Australian Animal Health Laboratory), Mark Hawes (VIC Department of Innovation Industry & Regional Development), Michael Banyard (Australian Veterinary Association), Kathy Gibson (Animal Health Australia) and Rupert Woods (Wildlife Health Australia).

 
 
 

Lay of the land for working dog breeders

 

Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Media release, 16 June 2017

 

Working dog breeders may be exempt from new dog breeder registration laws introduced by the Queensland Government last month (May).

 

Read more

 

 

 
 

in the news

 
 

Tour gives closer look at FMD

 

Courtney Walsh, Farm Weekly, 05 June 2017

 

BIOSECURITY was the focus of a recent tour to Nepal for a trio of WA women who were given the opportunity to examine the impacts of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on the local farming communities.

 

Read more


 
 
 
 

Paddock to patient: How Australian beef cattle are being used to create heart valves and save lives

 

Kathleen Calderwood, ABC Rural, 03 June 2017

 

Cattle from Queensland and northern New South Wales are proving to be a key ingredient in a medical technology that is saving the lives of heart patients who might otherwise have died a slow death.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Green prawn imports banned following white spot disease outbreak

 

Marty McCarthy, ABC News, 06 June 2017

 

The importation of green prawns into Australia will be suspended following an outbreak of white spot disease in Queensland, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has announced.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 
 

​Investing $4.5 million for collaborative farming projects

 

The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, Media Release, 06 Jun 2017

 

The Coalition Government today announced $4.5 million in grants have been awarded to help groups of farmers implement new collaborative business approaches to deliver greater farmgate returns.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Cow friends: Does hanging out with their mates make cattle happier?

 

Amy McCosker, ABC Rural, 06 June 2017

Like humans, cattle tend to hang out with the same characters and do not like being separated from their mates.

Hang on — did you even know that cows had friends?

 

Read more

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

FARM BIOSECURITY NEWSLETTER

 
 
 

IN BRIEF

 
 

Bluetongue virus buffer zone extends to the Bay

 

Bega District News, 08 June 2017

Following the detection of bluetongue virus (BTV) in cattle in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has advised that the BTV declared transmission and buffer zones have been extended.​

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Making waves on World Oceans Day

 

The Hon. Anne Ruston, Media Release, 08 June 2017

 

World Oceans Day will be making a splash around the globe today—and in Australia it’s a great opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the crucial role that sustainable oceans play in our health, wealth and way of life.

 

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston, said this year’s theme—‘Our oceans, our future’—highlighted the importance of sustainable management of the ocean’s resources, including fish stocks.
 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Uluru Camel Cup saddles up for sixth year of races in the red centre

 

Caroline Winter, ABC News, 29 May 2017

 

For an event that was born from a beer and kicked off on "hump day", the Uluru Camel Cup is becoming an annual spectacle and tourist drawcard in Central Australia.​

 

Read more

 
 

QUICK BITS

 
 

Launch of Peak Australian Seafood Body

 

The Hon. Anne Ruston, Media Release, 09 June 2017

 

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston, launched Seafood Industry Australia in Adelaide today, delivering yet another Coalition government election promise.

 

Read more

Researchers question whether parasite discovered in carp could target native fish

 

Verity Gorman, ABC Rural, 09 June 2017

 

Researchers fear a parasite discovered in carp in the New South Wales Riverina could target native fish if carp are removed after the release of the herpes virus.​

 

Read more

Chinese love of honeycomb a sweetener for apiarist at Orange

 

Michael Cavanagh, ABC Rural, 08 June 2017

Most people think of honey in a jar as the sweet export success, but one Orange apiarist is forging a new market for honeycomb.
Already China is the honey pot for the Australian primary sector.

 

Read more

 
 

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