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Barwon South-West Ag news
 
Thursday, 27 February 2020
In this edition
Get down and dance at Cudgewa this weekend

The first grant from the dedicated Bushfire Round will help bring visitors back to Cudgewa and the Upper Murray region from 29 February to 1 March.

The Victorian Government has delivered its first funding grant this week under the special Regional Events Fund Bushfire Recovery Round, supporting The Rise from The Ashes concert this weekend in Cudgewa.

The Cudgewa community was severely impacted by the recent fires with the loss of numerous homes, large numbers of cattle and damage to farmland and the Cudgewa Football Recreation Reserve, which is where the concert will be held.

Australian artists James Blundell and Sara Stoner will headline the concert, with a wide variety of talented local artists still to be announced.

A shuttle bus will connect with the concert and accommodation options in surrounding towns, which will make things easier for festival goers and help spread the economic benefit around the region.

With the concert program starting at 11:00am each day, visitors will be encouraged to explore local shops and cafes before heading to the concert.

The Bushfire Recovery Round of the Regional Events Fund is kickstarting the recovery of regions affected by the summer’s devastating bushfires and will deliver up to $300,000 to events that bring visitors to regional Victoria.

The Round is open until 27 March 2020 with grants of up to $20,000 available for events in following local government areas; Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga and the Alpine Resorts of Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Stirling and Falls Creek.

For information on Regional Events Fund applications, go to corporate.visitvictoria.com/events/regional-events.
The Rise from the Ashes Concert Weekend will run from Saturday 29 February – Sunday 1 March 2020. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://cooweeride.org.au/rfta.

Consider a second summer drench
Sheep drenching

Dr Jeff Cave
District Veterinary Officer
Agriculture Victoria, Wodonga

The majority of producers understand the value in having a strategic summer drenching program in place, but I want to reiterate to sheep producers - the possible need for a second summer drench.

Drenching is expensive and time consuming therefore pre-drench faecal egg counts (FECs) should always be considered, and this will put some science and evidence into whether or not to drench.

Strategic summer drenching involves an effective drench at the beginning and end of the season. This is to take advantage of the destruction of worm larvae on pasture by heat and lack of moisture.

The life cycle of the worm involves both your pasture and the animal. While the drench fixes the animal problem, the hot, dry conditions of summer will help eliminate the pasture problem.

Ineffective chemicals and/or an inadequate drench procedure can reduce the effectiveness of summer drenching.

Worm resistance, particularly to the white and clear drenches, is common in north east Victoria and unnecessary overuse and the incorrect use of drenches just add to the problem.

After drenching, producers should try to put sheep onto low risk pastures. These may be paddocks previously grazed by cattle, cut for hay or silage or grazed by low risk sheep such as older wethers.

Ewes rearing lambs and the lambs particularly after weaning are the most susceptible sheep in terms of worm burdens.

Large reinfestation of worms can occur in as little as three weeks if your drenching program is ineffective.

For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

Landcare Australia bushfire recovery grants 2020
Landcare Aust. grants

The Landcare Australia Bushfire recovery grants 2020 program will support landcare and community environmental groups as well as networks located in bushfire affected areas across Australia.

Applications close Friday, 13 March 2020.

The aim of the program is to support the urgent needs of the landcare community to restore essential wildlife habitat, shelterbelts and fences, protect our waterways, manage weeds and feral animals, work with Traditional Owner groups and run local community workshops, amongst other recovery activities.

To find out more information click here

On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme

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

The On-farm Drought Resilience Grant Program
On-farm drought resilience grant program

This program is now open to assist eligible farm businesses to invest in on-farm drought preparedness and to seek business advice.

A grant of up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) per farm business is available to assist eligible farm businesses to implement on-farm infrastructure improvements and or undertake business planning and advice activities.

The scheme is available to eligible farm businesses in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. Eligible irrigation farm businesses, including those that have transitioned from irrigation production systems to dryland production since 1 July 2018, located in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID).

For more information and to access the grant call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.au

For more information about other drought and dry seasonal conditions support from Agriculture Victoria go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

Look Over the Farm Gate grants

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

What's on?
NLIS workshop series

Agriculture Victoria is holding practical, hands-on workshops in February and March for sheep, goat and cattle producers on how to use the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.

The workshops will walk producers through their NLIS requirements and navigation, completion of movement transactions and reporting functions on the NLIS database. Participants will also learn how to update their Property Identification Code (PIC) details.

The aim was for producers to understand their livestock traceability requirements and how to manage their NLIS database account.

The recent bushfire events across Victoria has demonstrated just how important it is to keep PIC details up-to-date.

Dates and locations (all sessions run from 10 am to 3pm, with lunch provided).

  • Dookie - Friday 28 February at University of Melbourne, 940 Dookie/Nalinga Road, Dookie
  • Seymour - Friday 13 March at DELWP, 15 Hume and Hovell Road, Seymour
  • Echuca - Wednesday 25 March at Agriculture Victoria, Corner Ogilvie Ave/Annesley Street, Echuca

Plus, if you are unable to attend one of our workshops, there will be a webinar - Monday 16 and 23 March.

For further information on NLIS requirements and PICS is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/national-livestock-identification-system

Numbers are limited so please register early at agriculturevictoriaevents.eventbrite.com.au

For more information on the workshops, or to register over the phone, please contact Kirstie Anderson at Agriculture Victoria on (03) 5761 1647.

Agricultural technology: pushing your water further
Irrigation

Agriculture Victoria is hosting a two-day workshop on strategically maximising every megalitre of water applied on Thursday and Friday 5 and 6 March.

With current dry conditions and increasing seasonal variability, many farmers are looking at ways to manage their water more efficiently. Hear how other farmers are utilising agricultural technology to assist in pushing their water further.

Topics and presenters

Day 1

  • Future Climate – Graeme Anderson, Agriculture Victoria. What does climate modelling tell us about our future climate?
  • Complementary Forage Systems - Prof. Sergio ‘Yani’ Garcia, University of Sydney. Improving your on-farm productivity and profitability by increasing forage yield and maximising milk from home grown feed whilst potentially reducing economic risk.
  • Irrigate or Not  Damian Jones, Irrigated Cropping Council. Discussing likely return on water invested using some of the available tools.
  • Farm Visit – Examine how technology has enabled farmers to better target water application.

Day 2

  • Pivot Assessment  Nick O’Halloran, Agriculture Victoria. Pivot assessments in the Shepparton Irrigation Region – driving production, irrigation uniformity and energy efficiency.
  • Soil Moisture Monitoring  Dale Boyd, Agriculture Victoria. How real time data can inform decisions including sowing programs and in-crop fertiliser application.
  • Farmer Panel Hear from other farmers and gain insights into how they have been utilising technology, the benefits they have found, and the issues they have identified.
  • Digital Agriculture  Andy Clark, Agriculture Victoria How the integration of digital technology can provide farmers with information and the ability to seize opportunities for growth.

Location, dates and times

This workshop will be held at Agriculture Victoria Tatura, 255 Ferguson Rd, Tatura.

Day 1 Thursday, 5 March
9.45 am – 3 pm
Morning talks followed by farm tour returning to Tatura by 3 pm

Day 2 Friday, 6 March
9.45 am – 2 pm
Morning tea and lunch included both days

To register or for more information please contact Richard Smith on (03) 5833 5214 or richard.m.smith@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Restoring your garden after fire
Restoring your garden after fire

'Restoring your Garden after Fire' at Walwa at Corryong
Wednesday 11 March

Jane Edmanson, Gardening Australia presenter, is coming to the Upper Murray to Talk about 'Restoring your garden after fire'.

Walwa Bush Nursing Centre 10 am – 12 pm

and then

Corryong RSL Hall from 1.30-3.30 pm.

Please register for catering by 9 March by emailing umlandcare@bigpond.com or calling (02) 6072 7502 or 0427 437 439.

Free digital workshops for small businesses in regional Victoria
Digital opportunities

Small Business Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are hosting free workshops across regional Victoria to help businesses make the most of the digital economy and reduce their cybersecurity risks. 

Topics include Developing an online presence, Understanding and using digital tools and Managing your cybersecurity and safety plan.

Bookings are essential.

  • Wangaratta, 12 March from 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
  • Wodonga  12 March from 1 pm – 3 pm
  • Kyabram  6 May from 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
  • Shepparton  26 February from 9 am – 11 am

To find out more and to book, click here

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Contacting Agriculture Victoria

Call 136 186 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call (except for mobiles and public telephones).

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment
contact the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au.

A full list of our contact points can be found at:
agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us.

Don't forget to check out Agriculture Victoria's social media sites for up-to-date information and news.

 

 

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Privacy | Email: sarah.hetherington@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 0409 405 639

 
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