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Loddon Mallee Ag News
 
Thursday 22 October, 2020
In this edition:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
staying home if we're sick keeps us together

Safely reopening Victoria

The coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap for reopening provides steps on easing restrictions, dependent on how many active coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are in the community and public health advice.

From 11:59 pm on 18 October 2020, restrictions are easing in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Read the Statement from the Premier or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more details.

Information for the agriculture industry

The Victorian Government continues to recognise the critical importance of the agriculture and food sector and will ensure our farms and agribusinesses can keep operating – to keep supermarket shelves stocked and food on Victorian tables.

Business and industry must operate in Victoria based on the following six COVIDSafe principles to ensure reopening is safe, steady and sustainable:

  • ensure physical distancing (1.5 metres)
  • wear a mask or face covering
  • practise good hygiene
  • keep good records and act quickly if staff become unwell
  • avoid interactions in close spaces
  • create workforce bubbles

COVIDSafe Plans are required for regional Victorian businesses

From 11:59 pm on 13 September 2020, it is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

To ensure compliance, random spot checks are underway in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Your COVIDSafe Plans must set out:

  • your actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
  • the level of face covering or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
  • how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
  • this plan must demonstrate how you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government.

Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees.

Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans routinely, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes.

Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.

If you own a business in a high-risk industry, you must have a High Risk COVIDSafe plan.

High-risk industries include: construction, warehousing and distribution, supermarket and medical distribution centres, abattoirs and meat processing facilities.

For more information and for templates and guidance on how to create your COVIDSafe Plan, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Latest news
Do you need seasonal workforce assistance?
need assistance with your seasonal workforce

If you’re a vegetable, fruit, berry, grape or grains producer, the Victorian Government can provide you with the support you need to find workers for this season’s harvest.

The Victorian Government can connect you with jobseekers, provide assistance with worker accommodation and transport, as well as support you to help make your business COVIDSafe.

Seasonal Workforce Coordinators and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Engagement Officers are available in horticulture production areas, working on the ground with farmers, employers and labour-hire companies to help address workforce needs.

Farmers can register their Business workforce requirements at the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria - the online platform which matches jobseekers with employers.

Visit vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

To support Victorian agribusinesses through the upcoming summer harvest, applications for Business Adaptation Grants, and support for worker induction and retraining are open until the end of 2020.

For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan

Boost your farm business skills with a mentor

Agriculture Victoria has an exciting new mentoring program for young farmers. There will be 10 available places in the 2021 program.

Agriculture Victoria Young Farmer Coordinator Sarah Wallis said this pilot program is designed to build a mentoring relationship between a young or new entrant farmer and an experienced farmer, which will be facilitated by a private consultant.

“This program offers young or inexperienced farmers an opportunity to build their professional support networks and learn one-on-one from a farmer who has years of farming experience and industry knowledge behind them,” Ms Wallis said.

“Mentee’s, with the benefit of their mentor’s knowledge and experience, will make better decisions, and thrive in their pursuit to be a successful farmer. In this way, mentors can ensure their knowledge, skills, and wisdom are passed on to the next generation of farmers.”

The young farmer mentee will be supported by their mentor to develop their skills in:

  • managing their farm business
  • identifying risks
  • developing strategies to build resilience and achieve their business goals.

Applications must be submitted by Thursday 5 November 2020.

The Young Farmer Mentoring Program will be facilitated by private consultants who will match young farmers with a suitable, experienced farmer.

More information on the program and the application process is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/young-farmer-mentoring-program

For more information please contact Sarah Wallis, Young Farmer Coordinator at sarah.wallis@agriculture.vic.gov.au

#BigCrop call out for photos

To celebrate the upcoming bumper harvest in Victoria, we want you to share photos of your big crop on social media.

If you’re growing some whopper wheat, bonza barley, large lentils, colossal canola, plentiful peas or big beans, then we want to see them!

Share your photo on Twitter or Facebook and make sure you tag @AgricultureVictoria #BigCropVic on Facebook and @AgVicGov and #BigCropVic on Twitter.

Optimistic results from intercropping project
intercropping project Rutherglen

Intercropping is commonly used in backyard gardening, with the benefits well recognised, for example growing basil with your tomatoes.

To determine the potential of intercropping in broadacre systems, a state-wide project has been established.

Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist Meredith Mitchell said the project will determine if intercropping of two crop species when sown together within one space, could increase production and profits.

“Four species mixtures are being evaluated: field pea/canola, faba bean/wheat, faba bean/canola and barley/canola,” Dr Mitchell said.

These mixtures have been sown in different densities, ranging from a 50:50 mix where each species is sown at half its normal rate to 25:75 where one species is sown at a quarter and the second at three quarters of their normal rates.

These are then compared with ‘monocultures’ where each species is sown at their full rate with no companion.
Dr Mitchell said the crops have been sown in combinations to provide a mixture of functional groups – oilseeds, cereals and legumes.

They are sown together to complement their use of nutrients, light and water.

“This can be achieved via different root systems that access different spaces in the soil profile; different canopy structures that can maximise light capture and provide physical support; and utilisation of nitrogen fixed by the legume component. It is about synergy and the value of plants working together.

“In the second year of our research the experiment is showing intercropping has the potential to increase yield, value and profitability in cropping regions of southern Australia.

“In 2019, six out of eight mixes evaluated had a small, but positive yield advantage, up to 20 per cent, over the monocultures.”

In Australia, intercropping is not widely adopted due to perceived additional labour requirements and the added complexity of managing and harvesting mixed species.

Dr Mitchell said new herbicide options available for a range of crops make intercropping systems a possibility for broadacre cropping.

“Experimental plots were harvested with a conventional header and then the grains separated post-harvest.

Further research is being undertaken to examine profitability and risk in a whole-farm context.”

The project is part of the Victorian Grains Innovation Partnership between the Victorian Government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), which aims to increase the profitability of southern grain growers through world-class research.

This research is part of a project that has core experimental sites at Rutherglen, Hamilton and
Horsham.

In 2020, in addition to the core experimental sites there are also six satellite sites.

The ‘Intercropping to exploit rainfall for profit’ project is a three-year investment.

More information about the project is available in two GRDC podcasts featuring Agriculture Victoria researchers at https://bit.ly/36ZaLNd and https://bit.ly/30ZXYGA.

Dairy farm monitor industry briefing
 

See 'What's On' section below for details of the upcoming Northern dairy industry briefing

The Victorian Government’s annual survey of dairy performance shows profit improved for northern Victorian farms during 2019-20.

Early in the year, farms budgeted for high prices of allocation water and many chose to purchase fodder in favour of irrigating which lowered irrigation and fertiliser costs.

The continued rainfall events and mild temperatures in the second half of year also allowed farmers to carry-over unused feed and water inventories, increasing returns.

Read the report on the Agriculture Victoria website
agriculture.vic.gov.au/dairyfarmmonitor

Top tips for selling and transporting animals

Agriculture Victoria has created a livestock transport checklist to help farmers prepare and plan
their trips.

Agriculture Victoria technical specialist Kirstie Anderson said the transport of cattle, sheep or goats involves rules and regulations across a number of agencies.

“The new ‘Transporting livestock responsibilities and recommendations’ webpage provides everything farmers need to be across from market expectations to curfews, animals being fit to load, planning the journey and getting the paperwork right,” she said.

“If you’re selling livestock, either for slaughter over the hooks, to the saleyard or in a private sale, it’s important to consider whether the stock meet your customer’s requirements.”

“Meeting market specifications can lead to higher prices compared to selling stock that is outside the specifications and can help to create a good relationship with your supply chain,” Ms Anderson said.

“The page provides a checklist of everything you need to be ready for market, to plan your journey and to get the paperwork right.”

The checklist includes links to resources relating to market specifications such as age or dentition, weight, fat or condition scores, withholding periods, Livestock Production Assurance (LPA), Meat Standards Australia (MSA) or other quality assurance program information.

Producers, stock agents and transporters can access curfew advice and information as well as links to MSA handling requirements and standards to better understand specific supply chains.

The page has links to Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, including the handy and easy to use booklet ‘Is the animal fit to load?’.

“Good preparation can ensure better animal welfare, minimize transport-related losses and can support better eating quality outcomes,” Ms Anderson said.

“We’ve included reminders about ‘spelling periods’ for livestock if a journey is going to take longer than the maximum time allowed, as well as maximum times off feed and water to help producers put their best plan forward.”

For more information visit the ‘Transporting livestock responsibilities and recommendations’ web page or contact Kirstie Anderson on 0437 990 967.

Fruit exports pilot traceability technology

Victoria’s trial of new traceability technology for citrus exports has been completed, giving overseas consumers confidence they are buying Victorian produce.

The Victorian Government invested $200,000 in the Citrus Traceability Pilot, a partnership between Agriculture Victoria and Citrus Australia, that was announced in March this year.

Since then, the pilot has traced over 400,000 kg of fruit from Nu Leaf I.P. orchards in Mildura, through the Mildura Fruit Company packhouse, and on to international consumers.

Citrus exports in the pilot were scanned at over 50 retail and wholesale locations by overseas consumers and businesses as the Victorian produce entered export markets from late August.

Improved traceability will help combat food fraud, which is a major issue in some export markets, providing confidence about a product’s origin and allowing Victorian growers to better capitalise on the state’s reputation as a quality producer.

The pilot used ‘digital fingerprint’ labelling developed by Laava and blockchain technology provided by Trust Provenance.

Laava labels can be scanned using mobile phones, providing consumers with instant information that authenticates the product’s origin.

The Trust Provenance blockchain links together various information points in an encrypted ledger that cannot be altered, providing a reliable record of a product’s journey from tree to table.

Traceability helps in managing biosecurity and food safety risks and can provide assurances to consumers about how and where their food is produced.

In 2018–19, Victorian food and fibre exports were valued at $14.2 billion, making the sector a vital part of the state’s economy.

You can watch a video for further details about the pilot.

Mildura storage facilities boosts fruit exports and jobs

A new fruit warehouse and cold storage facility at Mildura will boost horticulture exports and has created 35 local jobs with support from the Victorian Government.

The new $1.75 million facilities include a warehouse, loading bays, an office, cool rooms, a cold treatment space and refrigeration, which will enable the business to meet supplier demand for fruit from across the Mildura region.

The VCT Refrigerated Transport hub has experienced an increase in freight demand and in customers as a result of improvements enabling the addition of 20 full time equivalent and 15 part time and casual jobs for warehousing and transport industry workers.

The new positions include administration staff, service technicians, general yard staff and truck drivers, with three heavy stream mechanic apprentices also among the roles.

The new facilities will also boost horticulture exports by an estimated $20 million a year and further benefit up to 100 local fruit-growers across the region by allowing them to use the facilities to treat fresh produce before they export it.

The warehouse and cold store facilities have been made possible through the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs Fund and provide storage for some of the region’s most important exports.

Epic journey of bees secures Victorian almond season

Victoria’s almond harvest has thrived for another year, with a bumper crop expected to be harvested this season despite dry seasonal conditions and difficulties with border movements due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mildura's almond crop - estimated to be worth more than $500 million to Australia - represents around 65 per cent of the country's total almond export production value.

Without the efforts of the Victorian Government and industry bodies, this season’s pollination might not have happened at the required scale.

Each year, about 140,000 beehives are transported in an epic journey between Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria to pollinate the country’s 15 million almond trees, 6.6 million of which are in Victoria.

In 2020, interstate border controls across Australia threatened to stop the bee movement. 

Agriculture Victoria hosted a series of meetings with beekeepers, the almond industry and relevant state governments who worked together to find solutions to safe entry and exit from orchards in a rapidly changing environment.

Almond pollination provides significant economic benefit to the apiary industry as well as the local community who rely on the annual crop.

The cooperation of industry and government has enabled the continued growth and harvest of the high-quality Victorian produce that people enjoy world-wide and brought assurance to the communities that financially rely on this crop.

The work which ensured the 2020 almond pollination season went ahead is particularly pertinent with 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health with the theme “protecting plants, protecting life.”

Support is available for Victorian producers to make the operational changes necessary to continue to operate in a COVIDSafe way.

For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan.

Warm humid conditions are ideal for flystrike
VRWN Kylie Noble with sheep

Dr Jeff Cave
District Veterinary Officer

With the warm, humid weather we are currently experiencing, conditions are ideal for flystrike.

Flystrike is a significant cause of lost production and welfare concerns in sheep.

Flystrike costs the Australian sheep industry about $173 million annually, due to lost production, treatment costs and deaths.

Reducing the risk of flystrike has immense benefits to the health and wellbeing of the sheep and productivity.

The major fly responsible for flystrike in sheep is the green blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, and is thought to be responsible for 90 per cent of flystrike cases.

This fly has a well-developed sense of smell and is attracted to odour, moisture, blood, rain affected wool, fleece rot and daggy wool, and it becomes more active with increasing temperature and humidity.

The other primary cause of flystrike in Australia is the common brown blowfly.

This is a bigger and slower blowfly, which is not as active, but can cause just as much damage as Lucilia cuprina. Other species of flies can also be present in a fly struck sheep.

The timely use of appropriate preventive treatments is essential to limit the severity of flies and flystrike.

Sheep producers are encouraged to carefully watch weather conditions, and for the presence of flies. 

They must also consider the type of sheep they have and any conditions that may lead to the opportunity for flystrike to occur.

Sheep should be monitored more regularly and more closely during danger periods.

There are a number of treatment options available and the proper application and choice of treatment will depend on the length of wool, time off shears and the future of the sheep.

Careful consideration of product choice is essential, and producers should take into consideration the relevant Withholding Periods (WHP) and Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) of any product used, and ensure they follow the product label directions and record the usage of all products.

For information on these different treatments and applications contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria veterinarian or visit wool.com/flystrikelatest or flyboss.org.au

Have your say on a new animal welfare act

Victorians have the chance to help improve animal welfare in Victoria by shaping new legislation, with a Directions Paper setting out key proposals and options for a new Animal Welfare Act now available for public comment.

Victorians are being encouraged to have their say on the options for the new laws, which will help keep a high standard of animal welfare and support Victorian farmers to maintain access to important export markets.

A new Act will deliver on the government’s election commitment to replace the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 – which is more than 30 years old.

The Directions Paper sets out several proposals for the new Act which aim to strengthen Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, and to maintain public confidence in our agriculture industry, research institutions, and many other animal sectors.

Among the proposals put forward for comment are setting minimum standards of care people must provide for animals. 

This would mean people caring for animals must meet basic needs of the animal – such as providing adequate food and water, and veterinary treatment for an injury or illness – rather than simply outlawing cruelty. 

Other options being considered are how best to deliver on the government’s commitment to recognise animal sentience – meaning they feel pleasure, comfort, discomfort, fear and pain – in the legislation and how to ensure regulators are better able to drive behavioural change, monitor compliance, and undertake enforcement.

This would further protect the welfare of animals, with penalties better aligned with the seriousness of the offence and authorised officers able to better ensure animal carers are doing the right thing.

Recognising animal sentience would also bring Victoria in line with other Australian and international jurisdictions.

The Directions Paper was developed following extensive consultation with key industry and community stakeholders about our existing laws and opportunities for improvement.

The government has already made reforms to improve animal welfare including mandatory pain relief when mulesing sheep, regulating appropriate fruit tree netting to protect wildlife and introducing the Pet Exchange Register to improve the traceability of cats and dogs.

The government is also investing $3 million to support not-for-profit and community vet clinics, animal shelters and foster carers to purchase equipment and improve their services.

The Directions Paper and survey on the proposals for the new Act are available at engage.vic.gov.au.

The survey closes on Monday 14 December 2020.

Focus on fodder conservation

Presented by Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Dairy South West Michele Jolliffe and Specialist Farm Business economist Claire Waterman.

With welcome rain down the east coast of Victoria, thoughts have turned to the conservation of fodder.

This recorded webinar draws on the vast knowledge of Dairy Extension Officer, Michele Jolliffe.

It is focused on the production of quality silage and identifying the costs involved.

Michele covers what is required to ensure that you succeed in ensiling a top-quality product.

Her rule of thumb is to guarantee timeliness which reduces quality losses throughout the process.

Claire rounds up the webinar with tips on how to ensure cost effectiveness when considering fodder conservation, as well as providing some tools to work out whether investing in your own equipment or using a contractor is the way to go.

To watch the recording, please click on the following link https://vimeo.com/454256871

Helping mobile exhibitors care for their animals
Helping mobile exhibitors care for their animals

Animal exhibitors who have been impacted by coronavirus restrictions will get help to cover the costs of food and care for their animals, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.

The Victorian Government has announced a $1 million support package that will help animal exhibitors such as mobile petting zoos and travelling reptile exhibitors to ensure their animals are looked after while their businesses remain unable to operate.

The Support Package for Animal Exhibitors will provide funding to purchase feed and to cover the specialised costs associated with housing and caring for exhibit animals.

Animal exhibitors play an important role in the community, letting people get up close to native wildlife and other animals, raise awareness about Australian native animals, and learn where our food and fibre comes from.

Restrictions that have been put in place to protect Victorians during the global pandemic have significantly limited the ability of animal exhibitors to operate as they normally would through school visits, field days, corporate events, and being open to the public.

The funding recognises the impact of the restrictions on animal exhibitors and the ongoing need to provide food, housing and other essential welfare requirements.

Animal exhibitors can apply for support online at Agriculture Victoria’s website.

Young farmers it's time to have a go

Victorian young farmers it’s time have a go and share your thoughts and concerns in the 2020 Regional Wellbeing Survey.

Please jump online and do the survey at regionalwellbeing.org.au

You could win one of 29 prizes worth a total of $9,200*. 

You can do a short or long version of the survey, depending on how much time you have available.

The Regional Wellbeing Survey’s mission is to support research that improves the wellbeing, resilience and quality of life of people living in rural and regional Australia.

This is done by asking thousands of people across Australia to do the survey.

Since the start of the survey in 2013, young farmers have been significantly under represented.

Now is the time to change that statistic and ensure your voice is heard.

Agriculture Victoria supports the Regional Wellbeing Survey (conducted by the University of Canberra) and regularly uses the data and information to understand the needs of Victorian communities and to inform program design and delivery.

This year there is a special focus on understanding how events including COVID-19, drought, bushfire and floods are affecting people and communities across Australia (as well as asking some of our usual questions).

Find out more at regionalwellbeing.org.au. Call 1800 981 499 if you’d like a paper survey, or for help with the survey.

The survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous, and closes at midnight on 30 October.

*All survey participants aged 18 or older who completes the survey either online by going to www.regionalwellbeing.org.au or returns a completed paper survey will be eligible to enter the draw to win prizes (provided by the University of Canberra) in (i) 11 weekly draws (valued at $200 each), and (ii) a grand prize draw for one of 18 prizes to the total prize pool value of $7000. Winners will have their choice of a WISH, Coles-Myer, Bunnings or Flight Centre gift card, or to donate their winning value to Australian Red Cross, Blaze Aid, WIRES or a charity of choice (limited to organisations formally registered as charities). Full terms and conditions are at http://www.regionalwellbeing.org.au/#prize-t&c.

New training supports grains industry workers

Workers joining the grains industry for this season’s harvest will be quickly brought up to speed with necessary skills and knowledge, thanks to an online training package supported by the Victorian Government.

The Victorian Government has announced $175,000 in funding from the Agriculture Workforce Plan for the Grains Industry Skills Development and Induction Program, which will be developed by Grain Producers Australia.

The training focuses on creating a safe and efficient workforce as peak harvest season arrives given that the availability of regular seasonal workers from overseas and interstate has been affected by border restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus.

New workers will complete comprehensive online courses covering farm safety, new hygiene and distancing practices and a thorough induction of what to expect during harvest.

This includes understanding the main aspects of grain harvesting such as the operation of harvesters and chaser bins, grain handling and grain transportation.

An important part of the training will lay out for farm managers and centres how to effectively induct employees and how to provide a safe work environment.

There will also be a section to support existing workers to get up to speed on best-practice farm safety.

The online training will be provided free of charge for Victorian businesses.

The Agriculture Workforce Plan is also supporting other industry-led training programs including the Dairy Passport and Horticulture Farm Worker Induction Program.

In addition to targeted skills development, the plan is supporting businesses in key agriculture and food processing industries through adaptation grants, job-matching, worker accommodation and relocation support and initiatives to help Victorian producers connect into new markets.

For more details on the Agriculture Workforce Plan visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan.

Avian influenza - know your biosecurity basics
know your biosecurity basics

What should you do to help limit the spread of avian flu?

Here are eight key things you can do:

  • Report sick or dead birds, including wild birds to the 24/7 Emergency animal Disease Watch Hotline – 1800 675 888 or contact your vet
  • Always wash your hands before and after handling birds or eggs
  • Restrict contact between your birds and wild birds, including bird-proofing housing and feed storage areas
  • Keep poultry sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean
  • Limit visitors to your birds and use clean footwear
  • Ensure that any visitors to your birds wear protective clothing and walk through a viricidal footbath before going into your bird areas
  • Quarantine new birds before integrating them with your existing birds
  • Prevent your birds from accessing water sources that may have been contaminated by wild waterfowl (e.g., ponds, lakes, creeks, channels, dams, puddles and water troughs) or only use an appropriately chlorinated water source.

Have questions? Call the avian influenza hotline (03) 4334 2715 or go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu

Fox and wild dog bounty collection schedule for North West Victoria
Fox

Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections resumed for regional Victoria from Monday 5 October.

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

If you are attending a collection centre, you must comply with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions including physical distancing, good hygiene practices and wearing a face mask (unless you have a lawful reason not to).

Hunters are encouraged to continue to collect fox scalps and wild dog body parts, while following coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions relevant to their area. 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 hunters are reminded to use common sense when hunting and when it comes to attending bounty collections. Stay safe by following the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that apply to your area and, if you feel unwell, get tested and stay home.

Reward payments can only be made by Electric Funds Transfer.

BENDIGO

Dates: Monday 26 October and Monday 23 November, 10.30 am –12.30 pm

Address: Cnr Midland Hwy and Taylor St, Epsom

Collection type: Fox only

HORSHAM

Dates: Wednesday 28 October and Wednesday 25 November, 1.30 – 3.30 pm

Address: 180 Horsham-Noradjuha Rd, Vectis

Collection type: Fox only

OUYEN

Dates: Tuesday 27 October and Tuesday 24 November, 2 – 4 pm

Address: Gregory St, Ouyen

Collection type: Fox only

 

ST ARNAUD

Dates: Thursday 29 October and Thursday 26 November, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Address: 4 Montague St, St Arnaud

Collection type: Fox only

 

 

SWAN HILL

Dates: Tuesday 27 October and Tuesday 24 November, 8.30 – 10.30 am

Address: 7 Quin Drv, St Arnaud

Collection type: Fox only

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

AgVic Talk podcast – latest episodes
agvic talk podcast

Imagine farming on some of the most fragile land in the State and being able to say, after the worst rainfall figures on record a mere 25 per cent of your 250 mm average, that you harvested a viable crop from 50 per cent of your farm seeded area.

This is the remarkable story of Ron and Nick Hards, who farm in the Millewa at Yurara.

The key to their success has been passionately protecting their topsoil.

For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website:

We have several other episodes out now, including:

  • Now is the time to assess your pastures if you were affected by fire last season. In this episode of ‘AgVic Talk’, our Extension Officer Fiona Baker talks about the key things to look for, consider this spring on fire affected pastures.
  • Merrigum dairy farmer Kevin Fitzsimmons says since the millennium drought, running profitably has never been more difficult. In one of our first episodes of ‘AgVic Talk’, Kevin discusses how he manages climate variability on his farm.
  • Sarah McLean tells us how the Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship helped her turn her dream to farm a reality.

🎧 Listen here.

Erosion risk in the Victorian Mallee podcast

Agriculture Victoria with support from the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA), is monitoring wind erosion risk in the Victorian Mallee by assessing groundcover and land management throughout the year. 

This will help build a picture as to how the region is maintaining ground cover and reducing the effects of wind erosion. 

Groundcover data is obtained through remote sensing (satellite imagery) technology and roadside surveys. 

This combines new technology and is reinforced by existing tried and true methods. 

Land Management Developent Officer with Agriculture Victoria Rachel Coombes talks about the project and the results from the 2019 growing season in this project.

For more information on this project contact Rachel Coombes at rachel.coombes@agriculture.vic.gov.au

This project is supported by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, though funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

What's on?

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.

Farm Cash Flow 101 – managing cash flow budgets with confidence

Managing and forecasting cash flow is essential for any business. For farmers it’s particularly important given the highly variable income that comes with seasonal conditions, market fluctuations and unforeseen circumstances such as fire or floods.

Being prepared, both on the farm and on the books, will assist in preparing for and managing challenging situations.

Farm Cash Flow 101 is a two-session course designed to help farmers understand cash flow budgets, and develop confidence using spreadsheets for cash flow management.

Using case study figures from a farming operation, Farm Cash Flow 101 presenter farm business specialist Jim Moll, from AgBiz Assist, will show you how to develop a simple cashflow budget for your farm business, to get a better handle on managing income and expenditure over the next 12 months.

Once mastered, these simple Excel® spreadsheets can become an integral part of farm financial planning and management, revised regularly to reflect current circumstances.

The course will run over two days from 11 am to noon:

Monday 26 October

  • Why cash flow budgets are important and how they assist farm businesses
  • Introduction to cash flow budgeting and spreadsheet basics

Wednesday 28 October

  • Adapting cash flow budgets to different production systems
  • Refining the spreadsheet

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION

Register on Eventbrite: https://farm-cash-flow-budgets.eventbrite.com.au

Join-in information and an Excel® spreadsheet template will be provided prior to the sessions.

For more information: contact Greg Ferrier at greg.ferrier@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 0438 738 634.

Dairy Farm Monitor Project - Northern briefing

DATE: Tuesday 27 October

TIME: 12 - 1 pm

Join Agriculture Victoria's Specialist Farm Business Economist Claire Waterman, Dairy Australia's Industry Insights and Analysis Manager John Droppert in a discussion about the northern dairy industry on Tuesday, 27 October from Midday to 1 pm.

Claire will take you through the 2019-20 Dairy Farm Monitor Project results.

Focusing on the Murray Dairy region and contrasting last year against 13 years of historic performance data.

John will discuss how Dairy Australia’s Analysis Team is seeing the dairy industry on farm, regionally, nationally and internationally.

What are the current influences and what affect they might have on the dairy industry in the coming months?

Click here to register.

Goat producers guide to the NLIS

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a two-part webinar for goat producers using the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.

Part 2:  Wednesday 28 October

7.30 – 9 pm

Participants will learn about the Victorian goat traceability system, how to complete a Property to Property (P2P) transfer and use the NLIS database features.

Participants are required to set up their NLIS account prior to attending the webinar, further information on how to do this and how to join the webinar will be provided at registration.

TOPICS

  • Traceability system overview
  • Purchasing electronic NLIS tags for goats
  • Setting up, navigating and using the NLIS database
  • Completing Property to Property (P2P) transfers on the NLIS database.

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION

Book your free tickets online at Eventbrite then select ‘NLIS Database Webinar for Goat Producers’

For more information, or if you have trouble registering, please call (03) 5761 1647.

Numbers are limited to allow for an interactive session, so be quick to secure a spot!

Australian Biosecurity 2030 Workshop

4 – 5 November

Animal Heath Australia, Invasive Species Council, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and Plant Health Australia present the Australian Biosecurity 2030 Workshop: Building on mass movement.

The workshop will continue to explore how to transform Australia’s biosecurity systems to better protect Australia's economy, environment and way of life.

The workshop will once again feature delegates from across the biosecurity collective - agriculture (animals and plants), humans, weeds, pest animals, wildlife, aquatics and the environment with a key focus on building the biosecurity mass movement.

Focus on stock containment areas

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a webinar for livestock producers with a focus on stock containment areas.

Topics covered:

  • Placement
  • Design
  • Management
  • Agriculture Victoria's Stock Containment e-Learning tool ​

Date: 5 November, 12.30 – 1.30 pm

Register here.

Contact: Tess McDougall on 0409841492 or tess.mcdougall@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Lamb Marketing Masterclass

Agriculture Victoria is partnering with guest speakers from across the lamb industry to deliver a four-part webinar series focused on mastering your lamb marketing.

When:  Every Thursday, 5 November to 26 November

Where: Online webinar series

Time: 7.30 - 8.30 pm

Topics covered:

  • Part 1: Know your business
  • Part 2: Know your customer
  • Part 3: Know your product
  • Part 4: Know your value chain

Visit Webex to register for this event.

You only need to register once for the series. Recordings will be available for each session.

For more information, or if you need assistance registering or joining the webinar please email Alice Ritchie or call 0429 386 781.

THRIVE AUSTRALIA

The THRIVE AUSTRALIA Challenge, in partnership with CSIRO, Victorian Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of State, aims to enable the needed transformations in Australia’s food value chain as highlighted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The Challenge will accomplish this by identifying, promoting, accelerating, and investing in innovative early-stage Australian startups that are creating new and alternative paths for a more efficient and sustainable global food system.

Five to ten startups will be selected from the pool of applicants to present their ideas at THRIVE AUSTRALIA’s Pitch Challenge before an audience of top agricultural leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs.

One winning startup will receive the THRIVE AUSTRALIA Challenge Award, brand exposure, access to the THRIVE ecosystem, and a spot at pitch finals for the award-winning THRIVE VII Accelerator Program (March-June 2021).

Learn more and apply here by 6 November, 2020.

Farmsafe Virtual Conference 2020

11–13 November 2020: Farmsafe Virtual Conference

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Farmsafe Australia have changed the way it will be delivering its biennial Farmsafe Conference for 2020.

The traditional face to face conference will now be hosted as an online virtual conference via a dedicated portal, embracing a new way of delivering the Farmsafe Conference in an interactive online format.

Hort Innovation AGM

27 November 2020: Hort Innovation Annual General Meeting

Hort Innovation's AGM will be held virtually, with members able to take part via web link or phone.

Members will use their voting entitlements to elect one or more directors to the board, and vote on other matters affecting the company.

All Hort Innovation members that pay a statutory or voluntary horticulture levy have the right to apply for voting entitlements for this year’s AGM, and for any other general meeting of members called between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2021.

This is done by submitting an Annual Levy Return form.

AgTech Summit

30 November – 1 December 2020: AgTech Summit

The AgTech Summit will return for its third installment.

This event is fully virtual, delivered via a live stream and interactive meeting rooms.

Gathering the industry's key stakeholders, the summit will draw on the key issues facing the sector and the growing demand for technological advancement in agriculture.

Partners in Wellbeing Hotline
 

Free, confidential wellbeing and mental health support is now available to business owners, their employees and family members as part of the Wellbeing and Mental Health Support program.

The Partners in Wellbeing hotline provides one-to-one support to improve wellbeing, as well as free access to business advisers and financial counsellors.

Call 1300 375 330 from 9 am to 10 pm weekdays.

Subscribe now for upcoming series of climate and agriculture science webinars

Agriculture Victoria will host a number of climate and agriculture science talks in its latest lunchtime webinar series.

Having proved popular the first time around, the lunchtime webinars are designed for busy people chasing fast facts about climate and agriculture research.

Participants will hear from a broad range of expert speakers from Agriculture Victoria, North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA), University of Tasmania and other agencies.

Scheduled to speak this series, are:

  • Dr Rebecca Harris from University of Tasmania: will share Australia’s Wine Future: A Wine Climate Atlas which shows how wine-region climates have changed, with more to come
  • Agriculture Victoria, Climate Specialist, Graeme Anderson: will talk about using seasonal forecasts and share new tools developed with a GRDC project for south eastern Australia.

Land managers, service providers, researchers and educators are encouraged to subscribe to our climate updates and newsletters.

Any queries can be directed to Climate Development Officer Heather Field at heather.field@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For more information and to subscribe to stay up to date with these upcoming climate webinars visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate

Better use of seasonal forecasting: adviser input sought

The Grains Research and Development Corporation's {GRDC) ‘Using seasonal forecast information and tools to manage risk and increase profitability’ investment is looking at a number of ways to support growers and their advisers.

One of those activities is a pilot program to up-skill a small group of advisers to identify, test and develop a framework to use seasonal forecast information to better manage risk and increase growers’ enduring profitability.

As part of the program, a second series of online workshops involving 20 agronomists from South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales will be held in late November.

The first series of workshops was well received by the participating advisers, many of whom commented that more effective use of seasonal forecasts was important in underpinning grower decision making.

The workshops will be led by Peter Hayman from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which is the research division of the SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions, along with SA consultant and grower Barry Mudge and Mark Stanley from Regional Connections.

The workshops will investigate where seasonal climate forecasts can be best incorporated into a grower’s farming system.

During the workshops, a Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) representative will present on skill and confidence levels in BoM forecasts.

Agriculture Victoria involvement

An update on climate drivers will be provided by Agriculture Victoria’s Dale Grey, while Graeme Anderson, also from Agriculture Victoria, will give an overview of resources produced to date from the ‘Using seasonal forecast information and tools to manage risk and increase profitability’ investment, which he leads in conjunction with Mr Grey.

The program is open to any agronomist with a minimum client base of 10 grain growers.

Expressions of interest in being involved close on Friday, October 27.

The online workshops will be held over the last two weeks of November this year.

More information is available from Mark Stanley via 0427 831 151 or mark@regionalconnections.com.au.

Resources generated out of the ‘Using seasonal forecast information and tools to manage risk and increase profitability’ investment can be found at www.forecasts4profit.com.au, while guidance on interpreting weather forecasts is contained in a GRDC Paddock Practices

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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

All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

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