Issue 34

November 2018

 
 

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

 
 

Kathleen Plowman, CEO

2019 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

 

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOSECURITY SYMPOSIUM 
Registrations and the call for abstracts have officially opened for the Australian Biosecurity Symposium to be held 12-13 June 2019 on the Gold Coast, Qld.

 

The Symposium theme is preventative biosecurity practices and will focus on research and innovation, out-of-the-box thinking and the exchange of knowledge and ideas across the biosecurity collective – agriculture (animals and plants), pest animals, weeds, wildlife, aquatics and the environment.


Our Symposium provides the ideal platform for cross-sectoral discussion, where new concepts are introduced, ideas are shared and tested, advice is sought and given, and new partnerships built. Challenging papers that stimulate debate and energy are encouraged - we hope you will be a part of it!

 

Find out more about our call for abstracts below. 

 

FRESH AND FAMILIAR FACES ON OUR BOARD

Two returning Directors and one fresh face have joined the Board of AHA. Endorsed at our AGM, Directors Paula Fitzgerald and Sharon Starick have returned to the Board for another term, joined by Ms Catherine Cooper, who has over 18 years' experience as a Director across a wide portfolio.

 

We farewelled David Palmer, who has sat on the AHA Board since 2011. He has been a strong supporter of the livestock industry and a valued Board member of AHA for a number of years now. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

 

 

I hope you enjoy reading this month's edition of Animal Health Express.

 
 
 

 
 

Call for abstracts and registrations now open for the 2019 Australian Biosecurity Symposium

 

AHA and ISC are seeking presentations for concurrent sessions that align with the overall Symposium theme of ‘biosecurity prevention’. With four presentation types and five themes to choose from the opportunities are in abundance!

The following topics are central to the program and your abstract should link to one of these:

  • Future proofing biosecurity
  • Technology
  • International insights
  • Barriers and benefits to trade
  • Behaviour change for better biosecurity

Abstracts are open until 5pm (AEST) Friday 15 February 2019. Early bird registration rates to the symposium are also now open.

 

Find out more.

 

November meeting week 

 

As the year slowly draws to a close, we held our final member meetings for 2018 on 27-28 November. Complete with our annual Christmas function, it was fabulous to catch up with so many of our members and stakeholders one last time to discuss the Australian animal health system. Thank you to everyone who attended - we can't wait to see you all at our next meeting week in March 2019!

 

aha and industry news

 
 


Issue 2 of The Link out soon!

 

The Link features stories from producers, vets and others who work in the agriculture industry and shares what AHA is working on to strengthen the animal health system.

 

Issue 2 focuses on 'emergency animal disease: are we prepared?'. Click here to subscribe so you don't miss out!

 

You can view Issue 1 here

 
 
 
 

Sheep Producers Australia welcomes government action on lamb definition

 

Sheep Producers Australia, media release, 21 November 2018

 

Sheep Producers Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to pursue the amendments required to change the definition of lamb to be consistent with New Zealand as the first step in creating an international standard.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

Applications open for new goat industry advisory group

 

Meat & Livestock Australia, industry news, 15 November 2018

 

Goatmeat producers with an interest in guiding investment in research, development and extension to help boost the industry’s productivity and profitability are being encouraged to apply to become part of a new advisory group.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

Veterinarians key role in Australia’s agricultural industry

 

Australian Veterinary Association, Vet Voice, 21 November 2018

 

On National Agriculture Day, the Australian Veterinary Association is highlighting the important role that veterinarians play in ensuring the health and welfare of rural livestock which leads to increased productivity and profitability.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

A Whistling Tree Frog, a species affected by the Chytrid fungus. Credit: CSIRO

National Wildlife Biosecurity Guidelines released

 

Wildlife Health Australia, news, 26 November 2018

 

Wildlife Health Australia this week released an unprecedented and valuable resource to help Australians who work with wildlife; the National Wildlife Biosecurity Guidelines. 

 

Read more.

 

 
 
 
 

AgDay celebrations bring people city and country together

 

Farm Online, 21 November 2018

 

National AgDay brought people together across the country to celebrate the farming community’s contribution to Australia and the world. 

 

The initiaive is aimed primarily at urban Australians. Events were held at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne and Wynyard Park in Sydney to show the morning rush of commuters some top quality fresh farm produce.

 

Read more.


Credit: Farm Online
The team at National Farmers Federation headquarters in Canberra celebrated Ag Day with a sausage sizzle

 
 
 
 

GFF now part of NFAS audits

 

Australian Lot Feeders' Association, news, 21 November 2018

 

Auditing of lot feeding operations under the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS) now covers the industry’s newest certified product, Grain Fed Finished (GFF) beef, at roughly 30 GFF-ready sites.

 

Read more.

 
 

QUICK BITS

 
 

'Lambulance' drones used to check animal health in lambing season

 

Guy Stayner, ABC Rural, 13 November 2018

Drones fitted with infra-red cameras could soon be flying over paddocks helping sheep farmers save newborn lambs.

Read more.

Study to add muscle to Northern Australia’s beef sector

 

Farm Weekly, 21 November 2018


A new study into northern Australia’s beef industry could spark an estimated $3 billion-plus investment in the industry over the next decade.

Read more.

Smart ear tags detect disease

 

The Land, 13 November 2018


A CQ University Rockhampton based researcher will assess the ability of smart ear tags, developed by Australian Wool Innovation, to enable farmers to help sheep farmers detect disease earlier.

 

Read more.

 
 
 
 

Ingredients to a $100 billion industry

 

ANZ’s Head of Agribusiness, Mark Bennett, The Land, 21 November 2018

As National AgDay’s celebrations draw to a close, and we reflect on what’s been a challenging 12 months, it’s important to also examine the overall outlook - one that should create buoyancy among farmers.
 

Read more.

Ears a smart way to keep track of cattle

 

Beef Central, 21 November 2018

 

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and agtech startup Ceres Tag have created a new type of ‘fit bit’ to help farmers to keep track of where their livestock are and what they are doing.

 

Read more.

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