• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Excellent farming workshop at Wedderburn and Wallup
• Telehandler tragedy a catalyst for new guidance
• Extra support for farmers to build harvest workforce
• Small-scale and craft program workshop at Hepburn Springs
• Supplement feeding – grain poisoning risk
• The Very Fast Break
• Economic and risk project to support farmers’ feeding and housing system decisions
• Federal assistance extended for Victoria storms and floods
• Australian Biosecurity Awards - nominations now open
• Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections
• AgVic Talk – latest podcast episodes
• What's on?

The Victorian Government has announced a further easing of restrictions from 11:59pm tonight, Thursday 8 July.  See the Statement from the Minister for Health for details.

Keep up to date with all the latest restrictions and requirements at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

Wimmera and North Central farmers and advisers have a unique opportunity to unravel what is ‘excellent farming’ with highly regarded agriculture scientist and author, Dr Kate Burke who will be at Wedderburn on Monday 19 July and in Wallup on Wednesday 21 July.

Led by Agriculture Victoria, the workshops will cover crops, people and money, and the influences that inform both business and personal decisions.

With 30 years’ experience in agriculture working with farmers, students, investors and regional communities in northwest Victoria, Dr Burke will provide valuable insights in managing risk on cropping farms and mixed farms.

Dr Burke uses evidence, experience and humour to shine a light on what matters for sustainable, profitable farming. She is also author of the new book ‘Crops people money and you, the art of excellent farming and better returns.

Dr Burke said that managing the “external noise” and uncertainty with less stress is a skill that can be learnt. This hands-on, interactive ‘masterclass’ will teach those skills, combined with practical risk management.

“The Wimmera and North Central’s start to the season has been eventful”, she said.

“We are seeing record land prices on the back of good seasons.

“This year we are also dealing with price volatility, staggered crop emergence and challenging nitrogen decisions.

“Some farmers are pessimistic about the season while others are optimistic.”

Topics covered at this workshop will include:

• Better returns - what really drives profit?
• What drives potential and revenue at the whole farm level?
• The influence of climate ‘moods’ on your farm performance.
• Yield targets for guiding nitrogen management and grain marketing decisions; thinking in options, rather than averages.
• Money: taking the whole of farm long-term view to generating revenue and spending wisely.
• People: decision-making for robust and regret-free farming.
• You: the role you play in risk management.

Farmers are asked to bring farm maps, grain yield and gross margin records for crop types - the more years the better.

These workshops are funded by the Victorian Government’s Smarter, Safer Farms initiative through its skills program which provides targeted training to build capability in financial literacy, risk management, farm planning and adaption to climate change.

Wedderburn workshop: Monday 19 July, beginning at 12.30 pm at Wedderburn Bowls Club. Registrations are essential and numbers will be capped. Please contact Martin Hamilton on 0429 946 149 or martin.hamilton@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Wallup workshop: Wednesday 21 July at Wallup Hall, check-in begins at 8 am for an 8.30 am start, finishing at 11.30 am. Registrations are essential, and numbers will be capped. Please text or call Heather Drendel on 0427 868 705.

A tragic incident at a Wimmera feedlot in November 2020 was the catalyst for a new Telehandler Safety handbook for Victorian farmers.

Twenty per cent of on-farm injuries are caused by farm machinery, including telehandlers. Key risks include tipping by over-balancing the load, failing to see workers while reversing, creating a blind spot by not lowering the boom, and touching high voltage power lines.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Farm Safety Team partnered with the TeleScopic Handler Association to develop the Telehandler Safety handbook – a practical guide for farmers that highlights key safety considerations. 

A two-page flyer is also available that can be printed for employees, posted on noticeboards or made available in machinery sheds and tea rooms.

Key messages for telehandler users:

• Make sure that the view from the cab is not obstructed by the boom, cab pillars or other parts of the machine
• Lower the boom during travel to lower the centre of gravity and maximise stability and avoid contacting overhead powerlines
• High Risk Work Licences are required for operators of telehandlers with a load capacity over three tonnes. For telehandlers with a load capacity under three tonnes, the TSHA Operator Gold Card training is strongly recommended.

In addition to this guidance document, two safety advisors are available to provide advice and support to all Victorian farmers, free of charge.

The safety advisors spend three to four days a week visiting farms all over Victoria, undertaking safety audits and consulting with farmers.

The VFF Making Our Farms Safer Project is funded to deliver this work by the Victorian Government through the Growing Victoria’s Agriculture election commitment and Smarter Safer Farms program. 

To contact the VFF Farm Safety Team, phone Farm Safety Advisors John Darcy on 0432 156 223 or Richard Versteegen on 0499 772 472. 

You can also visit the Making our Farms Safer page on Facebook or Twitter.

The Victorian Government is backing key horticulture regions through a program designed to help farmers attract and retain workers they need for the coming harvest season.

Food and Fibre Gippsland received a $49,500 grant to help connect jobseekers to employment opportunities with local growers, and improve communication with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the region.

The grant will also be used to help farmers understand transport requirements for workers - a common barrier that prevents people from taking on horticulture work.

Third-generation asparagus producer Adrian Raffa is one of Australia’s biggest producers and exporters of asparagus at his farm at Tooradin in South Gippsland. At peak harvest Raffa Fields employs more than 200 workers each year.

Raffa Fields is one of the many farms in the region’s $1 billion horticulture industry that will benefit from Food and Fibre Gippsland’s project, with a greater understanding of the needs of local jobseekers as it looks to boost its seasonal workforce for this season and for seasons ahead.

The grant is part of the government’s $1 million Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP), which provides support for industry groups to employ additional staff and deliver new initiatives that assist farm businesses in priority harvest regions to recruit and retain seasonal workers.

Under the program, Agribusiness Yarra Valley also received $100,000 to develop a seasonal workforce hub to connect employers with workers, as well as a targeted campaign to entice jobseekers to horticulture work.

Cobram and District Fruit Growers received $51,000 to connect more young workers to horticulture jobs, and Ausveg Vic received $56,700 to produce videos in multiple languages to highlight the COVIDSafe protocols of Victorian vegetable farms.

The program is part of the government’s comprehensive $76 million support package to assist the industry to address the workforce challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, and to develop targeted solutions driven by local communities. 

The Victorian Government continues to provide support to farmers through the Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus and the Pacific worker quarantine arrangement with Tasmania.

There is still time to register for the Small-Scale and Craft Better Business Workshop at Hepburn Springs.

We are heading out to Hepburn Springs on 26 July, so book your spot below to find out ways to better your business.

Agriculture Victoria is hosting Better Business Workshops for Small-Scale and Craft growers and producers through the Small-Scale and Craft Program in Victoria on ways to improve your business with a focus on good business practices, accounting and online tools, legal advice and cyber security. Five expert panel members will discuss the below topics with a focus on small-scale growers and producers.

Date: 26 July 

Time: 2 pm

Venue: Hotel Bellinzona

Address: 77 Main Road, Hepburn Springs

Book Hepburn on 26 July

Dr Jeff Cave
District Veterinary Officer

Some producers may be considering supplementary feeding their livestock with grain or pellets. Such feeding can bring many benefits, but also carries the risk of grain poisoning.

Grain poisoning occurs when large amounts of starch are eaten and then rapidly fermented in the rumen or first stomach. This leads to the excessive production of lactic acid, which is absorbed into the animal’s body, reinforcing the condition’s other name, lactic acidosis.

Grain poisoning may occur when:

• grain or pellets are introduced too quickly
• there is a sudden increase in the amount of grain or pellets being fed
• there is a change in type of grain or pellets being fed
• there is insufficient feeding space leading to the dominant animals overeating
• farmers not being aware the same precautions need to be followed when feeding pellets
• accidental overeating due to storage areas not being sealed.

The clinical signs of grain poisoning should become apparent within 24 to 36 hours after the access to grain or pellets. In mild cases, cattle and sheep may show a decrease in appetite and appear quieter than usual.

In more severe cases, cattle and sheep may show weakness, lameness, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea ranging from porridge to water consistency, depending upon the severity of the condition, leading to dehydration. Severe cases of grain poisoning can be fatal.

Reducing the animal’s access to grain or pellets and increasing the availability of roughage can treat mild cases.

More severe cases may need to be drenched with sodium bicarbonate to neutralise the lactic acid. Unfortunately, severely affected animals are unlikely to respond well to treatment.

Following treatment, affected animals may develop hoof problems and lameness due to hoof damage caused by grain poisoning.

Like for many animal health problems, the best treatment is prevention, and the key to prevention is to gradually increase the proportion of grain or pellets in the diet at a rate at which the animal’s body can acclimatise.

Feeding guidelines are available in drought feeding guides for sheep and cattle, freely available from Agriculture Victoria at Home | Feeding Livestock | Agriculture Victoria

For further advice please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

Welcome to the Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clips.

We are partnering with the GRDC to bring you these short summaries for South Australia and Victoria and for the first time this year Southern NSW.

Click on the appropriate state to see the short YouTube video (5 min 07 sec).

• Play Victoria
• Play SA
• Play Southern NSW

If you have comments, questions or feedback address them to Dale Grey at the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Very Fast Break is produced by Agriculture Victoria as part of the GRDC (Southern and Northern Region) "Increasing grower and advisor capacity and confidence in seasonal forecasting - Southern region and SNSW" project.

Dairy farmers who plan to change their businesses to zero-grazing and contained housing systems will be supported by a new economic and risk analysis collaborative project led by Dairy Australia, Agriculture Victoria and NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The Victoria component of the project is co-funded by Dairy Australia and Agriculture Victoria. 

The proposed project aims to support dairy farmers who are evaluating their options and who may decide to move down a path that transitions them to a new feeding and/or housing system.

This will be achieved through a sound economic and risk analysis of both partial and total mixed ration feeding systems.

For more than ten years, Agriculture Victoria has provided tailored and extensive support to dairy farm businesses through their feeding transition, and enquiries are not slowing.

Agriculture Victoria Dairy Program Manager, Terry Batey said there was a handful of farmers considering this type of investment and transition ten years ago and over the last few years has grown.

“We have supported many farm clients on the zero-grazing journey since 2006,” he said.

“Farmers are looking for information in Australia and overseas to support their planning and decision-making.

“We need information, data and advice in context of the Australian dairy industry which is why this collaboration is so timely and important.”

For more information on the project, and on the Adapting Dairy Farm Systems program, visit dairyaustralia.com.au/adaptingdairyfarmsystems

• Australian Government support payments activated for five additional local government areas across Victoria.
• Quickest and easiest way to claim is to call 180 22 66.
• Eligible recipients can make claims from Friday 2 July 2021.
• Check eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster.

The Australian Government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to support an additional five local government areas affected by the June storms and flooding across Victoria.

Support through the AGDRP and DRA is now available to the local government areas of Baw Baw, Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and Wellington.

Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the five local government areas announced are in addition to those already activated, taking the total to nine local government areas.

“The AGDRP provides a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home, serious injury or who have lost a family member,” Littleproud said.

“The DRA provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected because of this awful event. “By making these payments available, the Australian Government is helping people get back on their feet with dignity and respect.”

People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.

More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au

Australians can nominate individuals and businesses who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the country's $66* billion agricultural industries and the health of its animals, plant and people through the 2021 Australian Biosecurity Awards.

The Australian Biosecurity Awards highlight the important role that everyone plays in keeping Australia safe from biosecurity risks.

The Australian Biosecurity Awards acknowledge and recognise individuals and groups that show a commitment to supporting and promoting Australia's biosecurity and the systems upholding it.

There will be eight award categories in the 2021 Australian Biosecurity Awards.

Nominations are open until 30 July 2021.

For more information on the Australian Biosecurity Awards, including the nomination form go online awe.gov.au/ABA

This year’s biosecurity champions will be announced at the Australian Biosecurity Awards dinner in November 2021.

The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections recently resumed in regional Victoria.

Agriculture Victoria has a COVIDSafe Plan in place for each bounty collection centre.

If you are attending a collection centre, you must comply with COVIDSafe principles including using QR code to check-in.

All hunters are reminded to use common sense when hunting and when it comes to attending bounty collections. Stay safe by following COVIDSafe principles, if you feel unwell, get tested and stay home.

Metropolitan Melbourne residents are reminded to adhere to the restrictions in place in Melbourne. Stopping the spread of COVID-19 means knowing the restrictions that apply to you and making sure you follow them. For more information, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Please continue to check this webpage for the latest fox and wild dog bounty information, as the collection schedule is subject to change in response to the COVID-19 situation.

From the team that brings you the Fast Break newsletter and Very Fast Break YouTube video, Agriculture Victoria now has ‘My Rain Gauge is Busted’ - the podcast.

In this podcast the seasonal risk team talks about all things climate and farming, and explores stories from farmers, researchers and innovative folk, about the weather, the seasons and the climate, about what's normal and what isn't, and the great work underway that is setting us up for the future.

To listen search 'My Rain Gauge is Busted' wherever you usually get your podcasts or Listen in 🎧 here

AgVic Talk podcasts

Have you checked out the new ‘AgVic Talk’ podcast series yet?

Each AgVic Talk podcast episode covers contemporary problems and solutions including dry seasonal conditions, weather and climate, as well as some fantastic inspiring stories from young farmers.

All information included in our episodes is accurate at the time of release.

Contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or your consultant before making any changes on-farm.

Subscribe to AgVic Talk

You can subscribe and listen to AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts.

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.

Has your farm been affected by soil erosion or sediment?

Agriculture Victoria will provide information and approaches in responding to erosion impacts during this free webinar.

Soil erosion and the associated movement of sediment is a common occurrence following bushfires and floods. Soil erosion can appear in many forms including landslips, sheet and rill erosion, scour gullies and gully head erosion. Soil erosion and associated sediment can damage dams, fences, tracks, and stream crossings.

DATE: Tuesday 13 July  
TIME: 7 – 8 pm
VENUE: Zoom or phone
SPEAKERS: Ag Vic specialists Brad Costin and Clem Sturmfels

The Zoom meeting will open at 6.30 pm.  Please join early to sort out any connection issues.

For assistance during the Zoom meeting contact
Greg Ferrier on 0438 738 634.

TOPICS:

• Cause of soil erosion
• Farm impacts and maintenance
• Control techniques and responses
• Case studies
• Questions and answers.

REGISTER: Please register via Eventbrite at:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/managing-soil-erosion-after-flood-storm-tickets-161834566545

Log on/phone in detail will be sent out prior to the event.

For further information contact Clem Sturmfels on 0429 018 879 or at clem.sturmfels@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Do you farm around Wedderburn?

Keen to meet up with other local farmers and learn about what is the key to excellent farming? Then if you are free on Monday 19 July from 12:30 pm, head to Wedderburn Bowls Club.

Dr Kate Burke, author of the new book ‘Crops, people, money and you, the art of excellent farming and better returns’ will be running a workshop on farm business.

To register for this event please contact Martin Hamilton on 0429 946 149 or martin.hamilton@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Better be quick for this opportunity, as places will be limited for this free event.

The eighth webinar in our irrigation webinar series, Irrigation AgTech, what’s in it for you, will run on Thursday 15 July, from 1 pm.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Irrigation Extension Officer Rob O’Connor said the webinar is particularly relevant for farmers and service providers who want to find out more about irrigation AgTech equipment and the recently announced Victorian Digital Grants program for farmers.

The webinar will cover:

• types of irrigation AgTech equipment and Internet of Things (IoT) services available for irrigated farm businesses
• recent findings from the AgVic IoT Project and the on-farm dairy, cropping, horticulture and sheep trials
• the IoT catalogue of apps, devices and suppliers
• what irrigation AgTech can do for your farm business
• AgTech funding and the Victorian Digital Agriculture Investment scheme.

Agriculture Victoria Industry Technology Coordinator Mark Sloan will be giving an overview of the past two years while working alongside farmers in the Agriculture Victoria On-Farm IoT Trial, to investigate the benefits of IoT technology on farm. Mark will provide an insight into the devices and connectivity relevant to irrigated farms.

To register in advance for this webinar, go to https://bit.ly/AgVicWMW8.  After you have registered you need to save the confirmation email, which will contain information about joining the webinar, including a password.

More information about the Victorian Digital Agriculture Investment Scheme can be found here:  https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/digital-agriculture-investment-scheme

For more information about the irrigation webinar series please call Rob O’Connor on 0408 515 652, or for technical issues call John Paulet on 0429 158 500.

This webinar is brought to you by the Sustainable Irrigation Program, a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, DELWP, catchment management authorities and rural water corporations.

This year the Gippsland Red Meat Conference will replace the East Gippsland Beef Conference, and will be organised and delivered by Gippsland Agricultural Group (GAgG) with the support of Agriculture Victoria.

It will be held on Tuesday 31 August at the Riviera Convention Centre in Bairnsdale.

Topics to be covered at this year’s conference include:

• Resilience and recovery: How a former NSW Farmer of the Year traded his way out of two and half years of drought
• How a family-owned sheep stud which lost its entire ewe flock in the 2015 Pinery (SA) bushfires has bounced back
• Succession planning: Moving the farm from one generation to the next, without tears!
• Financial literacy: If the CapEx fits, do you wear it? Or will you EBIT and ROAM?
• Analysing the market forces that are shaping beef and sheep meat prices
• What does it mean to be carbon-neutral, how can we achieve that, and what is in it for us?
• Did you hear about the $500,000 carbon credit trade to Microsoft? Hear from the bloke who sold those credits
• Soils ain’t just soils, Sol. What is happening underground and how can we profit from that?

Plus, Masterclasses in stock trading, precision lambing, and crossbreeding and heterosis.

Tickets will soon be available. Put the date in your diary now.

Enquires to Craig Bush, Gippsland Red Meat Conference Event Manager on 0427 943 155 or redmeat@gippslandag.com.au

Agriculture Victoria is excited to be attending the following field days coming up in August.

Sheep Connect
Date: Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 August
Location: Hamilton Showgrounds, Shakespeare St, Hamilton
For more information visit  the Sheep Connect website. 

Mallee Machinery Field Days
Date: Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 August
Location: 2574 Sunraysia Highway, Speed
For more information visit the Mallee Machinery Field Days website.

GRDC Grains Research Update - Woomelang

13 July, 9 am – 1 pm

The GRDC Grains Research Update events are for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers to see and discuss the latest in research and to network with their peers about how to apply new and relevant information to the latest farming systems.

Speakers and topics coming soon

You can register online.

Farm Business Update - Swan Hill

The GRDC Farm Business Update events drive innovation and adoption of improved farm business management practices across the grains industry.

Tuesday 27 July, Swan Hill Town Hall, 53-57 McCallum Street, Swan Hill VIC, 9.30 am (doors open at 9 am).

PODCASTS

Fungicide resistance podcast provides regional insights for southern growers

Past seasons have already seen several local examples of fungicide failure from Tasmania to the far west of South Australia, generally linked to a lack of crop and fungicide rotations.

In this podcast, Dr Hugh Wallwork talks about the factors that contribute to fungicide resistance and how fungicide management needs to begin with variety and seed treatment selection before sowing.

Plant available water capacity

In this podcast, many factors affect how much stored soil water is available, including rainfall before and during the growing season, infiltration, evaporation and transpiration. And then there’s plant available water capacity, which is the total amount of water a soil can store and release to a crop, which differs depending on the crop.

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