• Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
• Beef and sheep seasonal webinar series
• Focus on education programs to help make farms safer
• Phone in on Tuesdays for north east farming advice
• Fox and wild dog bounty collections
• Calling on Victoria's rural women to lead the way
• GrazFert Program: nutrient planning for farmers
• Digital technology audits
• Gardiner Foundation Nuffield Scholarships
• Young Farmer Business Network
• Primary producers bushfire support programs
• Drought and dry seasons support services and information
• What's on – upcoming webinars

People living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are now required to wear a face mask when leaving home for one of the four permitted reasons: shopping for food and supplies, medical care and caregiving – including to be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19), exercise, and study or work if unable to work or study from home.

Victorians outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are being asked to use common sense when it comes to visiting friends and family, especially those who are more vulnerable.

That means seeing only those you need to – if you need to.

Stay safe by washing your hands regularly, keeping your distance from others and staying home if you feel unwell.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) you should get tested and stay home.

For more information, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Border travel restrictions

Restrictions on the movement of Victorians across our borders with South Australia (SA) and New South Wales (NSW) are now in place.

The Victorian Premier, the Prime Minister and the Premier of NSW agreed to close the border between Victoria and NSW from 8 July 2020.

From midnight Wednesday 22 July, a border zone, defined along the Murray River, has been established.

Entry to NSW from Victoria will be restricted, and exemptions for NSW residents travelling from the Victorian side of the border zone will be limited.

Permits issued up until the commencement of the border zone expired at midnight 21 July. Individuals eligible under the new rules will need to apply for a new permit. This closure is being enforced by NSW Police.

There are also restrictions in place for Victorians travelling into South Australia . People from Victoria may not enter South Australia unless they are an Essential Traveller.

For more information about the NSW border restrictions and cross border management in that state, including entry permits, visit Service NSW website, or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 13 77 88. No permit is required to enter Victoria from NSW.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries provides a coronavirus (COVID-19) concierge service to support primary producers to navigate the current restrictions.

This concierge service can be contacted directly at covidinfo@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

For more information about the South Australian border restrictions, visit the South Australian Government COVID-19 website, or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 1800 253 787.

No permit or approval is required to enter Victoria from another state – however you will need to adhere to the restrictions and directions that are in place to slow the spread of coronavirus in Victoria.

For the most up to date information about coronavirus (COVID-19) and current restrictions in Victoria, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

People in Victoria can also call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398.

About the initiative

The Victorian Government reinstated Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire on 8 July 2020 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. The restrictions will be in place for six weeks and will then be reviewed by the Chief Health Officer.

The return to Stay at Home restrictions mean that businesses within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, live music, entertainment venues and other businesses are either restricted in their operations or can no longer operate.

Businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that are affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5000 grant under the Business Support Fund - Expansion program.

Applications for the program close on 19 August 2020.

This program is in addition to the first round of the Business Support Fund, which closed on 1 June 2020.

Please read the information on this page as well as the Guidelines and FAQs carefully before applying.

Agriculture Victoria’s beef and sheep networks’ winter/spring webinar series is on again with expert presenters helping farmers answer all the challenging questions to get them through the next few months.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Tess McDougall said this series is aimed at decision-making with a focus on managing pastures, conserving fodder and livestock health and nutrition.

“Producers can join the afternoon sessions via their phone and/or computer, tablet or smartphone.

“They are easy to join and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions and discuss issues with our presenters,” she said.

“Each webinar will be recorded if you can’t attend, so please register to receive a copy of the recording via email.”

Webinar 1: Animal health and nutrition (13 August, 12.30 –1.30 pm)

• Learn more about animal nutrition, trace mineral deficiencies, winter/early spring feed budgeting and livestock health issues to watch out for.
• Presented by Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer and Nick Linden, Sheep Industry Development Officer.
• Register at – www.eventbrite.com.au/e/113841172010

Webinar 2: Fodder conservation (3 September, 12.30 – 1.30 pm)

• This webinar will explore questions such as how much is conserving fodder really costing me? How much of my farm should I cut and how can I produce high quality hay and silage this spring?
• Presented by Michele Jolliffe, Dairy Extension Officer and Claire Waterman Farm Business Economist.
• Register at – www.eventbrite.com.au/e/113841535096

Webinar 3: Spring pasture (17 September, 12.30 – 1.30 pm)

• Discussion will focus on what nutrients need to be replaced after fodder conservation, the importance of tillering and key grazing management practices for a successful spring.
• Presented by Fiona Baker, Beef Extension Officer.
• Register at – www.eventbrite.com.au/e/113841709618

For further information or if you have trouble registering contact Tess McDougall 0409 841 492 or tess.mcdougall@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Two new educational programs supported by the Victorian Government will be rolled out for rural and regional school students to start changing attitudes towards safety on farms from an early age.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes announced the programs at the beginning of National Farm Safety Week this week to reinforce the government’s commitment towards reducing deaths and injuries on farms.

Kidsafe Victoria will receive a $97,000 grant to support their work preventing unintentional death and injury of children by delivering a farm safety campaign and creative competition in primary schools over three years.

The National Centre for Farmer Health will receive a $108,500 grant to deliver twenty ‘Gear up for Agriculture Health and Safety’ workshops to Victorian secondary school students who have an interest in agriculture.

Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) found that children aged younger than 15 in Victoria’s outer regional areas are four times more likely to die due to injury than children in our major cities.

MUARC recommended addressing this problem through increased education and awareness of known injury hazards such as dams, farm equipment and off-road motorbike use.

Drowning is the leading cause of death of children on farms – providing a fenced play area away from water hazards such as dams is one example recommendation of what can be done to help make farms safer for children.

Teaching children about farms as workplaces as well as homes is a vital part of changing attitudes, with information showing children influence the decisions their parents make, in turn improving farm safety for the whole family.

These grants are part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million Victoria’s Smarter, Safer Farms program which is addressing skills and safety issues in the agriculture sector.

To find out more about the educational programs visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

A new weekly phone hook-up, The Corner Post, gives farmers in the North East the opportunity to discuss local farm management issues and agricultural recovery with technical specialists.

The Corner Post sessions will run for about 30 minutes on Tuesday nights from 7.30 pm, and will be held via phone hook-ups, making it easy and accessible for farmers across the region.

North East Agriculture Recovery Manager Kylie Macreadie said the sessions will cover a range of seasonal farming topics over the six weeks.

“Technical specialists will be available each week to answer questions, along with local specialists to offer their unique perspective,” Mrs Macreadie said. 

“We invite farmers across the North East to join us for the discussions, whether it’s about livestock health, fencing to optimise their property or an analysis of the season ahead.”

Dates and issues covered include:

• 28 July: Fencing as a management tool with Kylie Macreadie, Agriculture Recover Manager, Agriculture Victoria
• 4 August: Soil fertility and pasture production with Ian Gamble, Greg Bekker, Land Management Officers, Agriculture Victoria
• 11 August:  Beef market outlook with Simon Quilty, Market Analyst, Global Agri Trends
• 18 August: Business and financial planning with Jim Moll, Rural Financial Counsellor, Agbiz Assist
• 25 August: Season outlook with Graeme Anderson, Specialist, Climate Capability, Agriculture Victoria

When and how:

• Tuesdays, 7.30 – 8 pm (or longer, depending on discussions)
• Call (02) 9037 0069 Use PIN code 166 131 8057. Followed by ## to join.

For more information, contact Agriculture Recovery Manager Kylie Macreadie at kylie.macreadie@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 0428 975 728.

The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections have been suspended at Woori Yallock and Broadford to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

These collection centres will be closed until 11.59 pm Wednesday 19 August 2020 in line with the current Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions for those areas.

All other collection centres remain open at the scheduled times.

Due to this, the bounty program will be extended from the end of October 2020 until the end of November 2020, to allow for additional collections across all centres.

Agriculture Victoria intends to reopen Broadford on Thursday 20 August 2020 and Woori Yallock on Thursday 10 September 2020, subject to the advice of the Chief Health Officer in relation to Victoria’s coronavirus (COVID-19) restriction levels.

Hunters are still encouraged to continue to collect fox scalps and wild dog body parts, while following coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions relevant to their area.

These pieces can be frozen or air dried and submitted for reward at an alternative collection centre or when the suspended collection centres reopen, in line with bounty terms and conditions.

All participants are reminded that they must comply with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions when attending collections centres.

All hunters are reminded to use common sense when hunting and when it comes to attending bounty collections. Stay safe by abiding by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that apply to your area, stay local, practise good hygiene, keep your distance from others and, if you feel unwell, get tested and stay home.

Please continue to check the Agriculture Victoria website for the latest information, as the collection schedule is subject to change in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation: visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty.

The Victorian Government is inviting women from country Victoria to build their leadership skills, with the 2021 Victorian Rural Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program now open.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes is encouraging rural Victorian women involved in agriculture or the agricultural supply chain to apply for this year’s intake, with 14 funded places on established leadership courses starting later this year and early in 2021.

The government has provided $500,000 funding to the Victorian Rural Women’s Network to support the program, which has so far provided 24 rural women with professional leadership training.

The Leadership Program partners with four established leadership training providers delivering highly regarded programs suitable for emerging and experienced leaders.

Applications are now open for funded places on the 2020 Women’s Leadership Program as well as for the 2021 intake of The Observership Program and Williamson Leadership Program.

Participants in the Leadership Program build expertise in areas such as how to effectively build teams, financial and business management, governance and networking.

The Observership Program offers the opportunity for emerging leaders to gain first-hand board experience by sitting as an ‘observer’ on a not-for-profit board.

The Victorian Rural Women’s Network was re-established in July 2017 with a $1.7 million commitment over four years from the Victorian Government.

The Leadership Program, alongside other initiatives including AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award and the Invisible Farmer Project, is part of the Victorian Government’s ongoing support for rural and regional women.

For more information and to apply for a funded place on a leadership program, see the Victorian Rural Women’s Network website at extensionaus.com.au/VRWNetwork

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 cation-exchange capacity
• Attendance at two local workshops focused on soil test interpretation and nutrient budgeting
• Preparation of a nutrient management plan by Agriculture Victoria staff.

To learn more about the GrazFert program, check out the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qr7N_UYTsw

Cost:

• $150 for each farm business (maximum of 12 farm businesses/program).

Dates:

• Soil sampling – commences late August
• Workshop 1: Soil test interpretation – October
• Workshop 2: Nutrient budgeting – December

Location:

• Local workshop venue to be confirmed.

Registrations:

Please register your interest by Friday 21 August by contacting Ian Gamble, Agriculture Victoria, Rutherglen on 0437 362 620 or email 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.

An opportunity exists to participate in an on-farm digital technology audit conducted by phone by Agriculture Victoria, to understand the technology you already have available on-farm and how you can improve its efficiency.

Participants will be asked to identify what type of internet connectivity they have, where they have access to WiFi and how they use technology on their farm.

Participants will have time to prepare for the audit and will receive a property map and report of results.

REGISTRATION

To register for the audit please book a time at https://bit.ly/2VbBXBK

Contact: If you need help registering or would like more information please contact Andy Clark at Agriculture Victoria on 0436 804 656 or andy.clark@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support call 136 186 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

This project is supported by the 2019–20 Drought Support Package.

Preference will be given to participants from Central and East Gippsland, the GMID and the Millewa region of North-West Victoria.

Applications are now open for the Nuffield Farming Scholarship for a Victorian dairy farmer.

The scholarship, sponsored by the Gardiner Dairy Foundation and Nuffield Australia, provides a chance for the successful applicant to travel and investigate their field of interest. It is open to applicants between the age of 28–45 years.

Further details on the program is available at on the Gardiner Foundation website. Applications close on 11 September.

Information on the full 2021 Nuffield Scholarship Program is available at https://www.nuffield.com.au/

Young Farmers of Victoria – this is your network to talk about farm business management with other like-minded young farmers through social media, articles, online and face to face forums.

Click here to join and learn more about the Young Farmer Business Network Facebook group.

Producers in fire-affected regions can access up to three free one-on-one Back to Business sessions with a local farm management consultant to help put their business back on track.

All red-meat producers, including sheep, cattle and goat, who have been affected by the recent bushfires are eligible to apply.

The Back to Business program in Victoria is being coordinated by Agriculture Victoria. For more information or to register, contact:

• Lyndon Kubeil on 0418 532 085 or at lyndon.kubeil@agriculture.vic.gov.au
• Jo Cameron on 0419 832 704 or at jo.cameron@agriculture.vic.gov.au
• MLA at backtobusiness@mla.com.au

Online registration is also available here.

For more info visit mla.com.au/bushfire-recovery.

The new $10,000 Small Business Bushfire Support Grants are open.

• it's easy to apply
• you aren't required to upload any financial documents if you don't have them right now
• you can apply if your business was indirectly affected by the bushfires

The grant is available for small businesses and primary producers in East Gippsland, Towong, Alpine, Indigo, Wangaratta, Mansfield and Wellington shires who have experienced significant income loss as a result the 2019–20 bushfires.

Eligible activities include meeting standard business costs, seeking financial advice, adjusting the business to be viable in the changed local context following bushfire and improvements to make the business more resilient to future disasters.

The grants are available to eligible small businesses that have suffered a decline in revenue of 40 per cent or more in a relevant three-month period.

Businesses can apply for this grant in addition to other bushfire grants.

For more information contact Rural Finance 1800 260 425 or www.ruralfinance.com.au.

Find out more at www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-recovery-victoria

Concessional loans of up to $500,000 are available to support small business, primary producers and non-profit organisations impacted by the Victorian bushfires that began on 21 November 2019.

The loans are for restoring and/or replacing damaged assets and/or to meet working capital expenses.

They are available for eligible wine grape growers in Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga.

For further information contact Rural Finance 1800 260 425 or www.ruralfinance.com.au.

Grants of up to $75,000 to assist primary producers directly affected by the 2019–2020 bushfire with recovery costs. Eligible activities include rebuilding or replacing damaged or destroyed on-farm infrastructure, including fencing and trellises.

Wine grape growers who are located in eligible fire affected local government areas and have had crops affected by smoke taint may be able to claim for costs associated with the salvage, harvest and disposal of the smoke taint affected crops. Where no fire has occurred on the property, evidence of smoke impact, such as smoke taint testing results are required.

Available in eligible fire affected local government areas across Victoria. In the areas of 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 areas of Falls Creek, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling.

For further information contact Rural Finance 1800 260 425 or www.ruralfinance.com.au.

The Victorian Government’s Household Financial Relief Program delivered by the CWA and the On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant  all close on 28 August 2020 or until program funds are fully expended.

The Victorian Government is waiving the $235 application fee for new domestic and stock bore construction licences (BCL) for landholders in eligible areas of Victoria.

This initiative will help landholders secure their domestic and stock water supply needs in areas experiencing drought and dry conditions.

Apply online at the Victorian Water Register: waterregister.vic.gov.au/water-trading/my-water#Online_BCLs

The CWA of Victoria’s Household Financial Relief program has been provided a funding boost by the Victorian Government for the provision of household financial relief

The program can provide up to $3000 to eligible farming families, farm workers and farm dependent contractors to reimburse them for household expenses like school costs, utilities, food and medical bills.

This program will remain open until 28 August 2020 or until program funds are fully expended.

For more about the program and other available drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.

For anyone seeking a copy of the application form or requiring assistance to complete the application, please contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email the CWA on drought@cwaofvic.org.au

The maximum value of the On-Farm Drought Resilience Grants has increased from $5,000 to $10,000 to boost farmers’ access to professional services whilst still enabling farmers to invest in drought preparedness infrastructure.

Eligible farm businesses can now apply for:

• up to $5000 for business decision making activities (with no-contribution required)
• up to $5000 for infrastructure investments (with at least 50 per cent co-contribution required).

There are three new eligible infrastructure investments under the resilience grants:

• technologies to improve mobile phone connectivity
• weed control (e.g. purchase of registered herbicide)
• soil moisture probes (as an explicit investment under soil moisture monitoring activities).

This program will remain open until 28 August 2020 or until program funds are fully expended

For more information and to access the On-Farm Drought Resilience Grants program, call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.au.

Farmers are encouraged to apply early to ensure they do not miss out on funding.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website. Log on to agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to find out what's on.

Young farmers can learn the ins and outs of managing money, debt and talking to banks at the Farm Finance – Getting Prepared online workshop on Friday, 24 July.

The 90-minute online workshop will help young farmers understand the finance options available to achieve their goals.

Host Jane Foster is a Senior Consultant specialising in agribusiness at ORM and brings a wealth of experience in farm debt management and financial data analysis.

The online workshop is free to attend on Friday 24 July at 12.30 pm, and the session will be recorded and made available for those who register.

Registrations (via Zoom) can be made here:
zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0of-ytqjotGtbyo1ynhItVJXApFjOkJM3i

For more information and to register, contact Sarah Wallis on 0419 571 208.

Want to know more about improving your digital literacy and connectivity? Need confidence to access technology to improve your on-farm decision making?

CONNECTIVITY WEBINARS

Join extensionAUS and Agriculture Victoria for a series of webinars which will provide a unique opportunity for you to address on-farm connectivity issues and help you to understand available digital technology - how to measure it and how to make it work as best as possible for you and your business.

WEBINAR DATES AND TIMES

Webinar 2 – Getting the most out of video
meeting software
Tuesday 28 July
1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86270444624

Webinar 3 – Internet of Things (IoT)
Tuesday 4 August
1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89327853496

Webinar 4 – Online networking to better communicate on-farm and service farm businesses
Tuesday 11 August
1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433966881

Contact: If you need help registering please contact
Gavin Beever, Cumbre Consultants on 0438 234 886 or gavin@cumbre.com.au

This project is supported by the 2019–20 Drought Support Package.

Preference will be given to participants from Central and East Gippsland, the GMID and the Millewa region of North-West Victoria.

Dr Katharina Waha from the CSIRO exploring rainfall changes in rainfall patterns in different regions of Australia and hear how they impact on agricultural production in the next Forewarned is Forearmed (FWFA) Rural Research and Development for Program webinar.

Annual and seasonal rainfall are important drivers of agricultural productivity and profitability in Australian agriculture and various climatological and synoptic drivers influence rainfall in Australia’s diverse climate.

While lots of studies have focused on rainfall changes in northern and southern Australia, less is known about the agricultural areas between 25°-34°S on the East Coast including the Northern Murray Darling basin and coastal Queensland and New South Wales and at similar latitudes in Western Australia which stretches across subtropical climate in the North to temperate climate in the South and hot and dry grassland climate inland.

Using long-term rainfall data and agricultural statistics we compare trends in summer rainfall and extreme rainfall at different sites and its relation to agricultural production.

DATE: 28 July (1 pm - Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney)

REGISTRATION: https://unimelb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yUTydZZRQ0qA9n6BJD9JLg

Farmers and dairy communities

Learn how three farmers are bridging the rural-urban divide and building community on social media, plus practical tips and advice for getting the most out of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

Featuring:

• Adam Jenkins, farmer and rural advocate
• Dianne Bowles, dairy farmer and co-founder of the 'Show some #dairylove' Facebook group
• Peter Vallance, Mallee cattle and cropping farmer with an international following on TikTok

Webinar details

• Date: Thursday 6 August
• Where: via ZOOM
• Time: 7.30 - 8.30 pm
• RSVP here: https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/events-calendar/event?sfid=7016F000002XgaiQAC

The Grassland Society of Southern Australia is running its 61st Annual Conference - Growing with grasslands.

DATE: Until 19 August

TIME: 7.30 - 9.30 pm AEST

We invite you to join us for the 61st Annual Conference - and our first ever virtual conference! It will take place online via ZOOM from 7.30- 9.30 pm AEST every Wednesday evening for five weeks.

Find out more at www.grasslands.org.au

The Rural Press Club of Victoria has launched its 2020 Rural and Regional Journalism and Photography Awards, with increased prize money to recognise the best work across the state.

This year has been challenging for regional journalists and photographers, with many publications reducing or stopping coverage.

To reflect the challenges this year has brought, RPCV award category winners will receive $500 and a trophy, while winners of the overall awards including Journalist of the Year, Photographer of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year will each receive $1,000 and a trophy.

The awards are open to all journalists, photographers and media outlets in Victoria and Tasmania. Journalists and photographers can enter the awards until 31 July.

To enter the awards, you need to be a member of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. You can sign up for membership and enter the awards on the club’s new website ruralpressclubvictoria.com.au.

Enjoying the Northern Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.

It's easy – simply click this link.