Issue 29

June 2018

 
 

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

 
 

HAPPY END OF FINANCIAL YEAR

 

COWCATCHER III
Over 6-8 June 2018, a nation-wide traceability exercise that involved input from a number of industry members across the cattle supply chain was held. The exercise assessed the National Livestock Identification System for cattle against the National Livestock Traceability Performance Standards. Australia’s animal traceability system is key to maintaining market access for beef and dairy producers. This was a joint exercise managed by the state/territory departments of agriculture from all jurisdictions (except ACT) and AHA on behalf of SAFEMEAT with support from Integrity Systems Company.

 

EXERCISE DROPBEAR
On 21 June, AHA hosted Exercise Dropbear, an exercise designed to test the draft 'Guidelines for the management of an emergency wildlife disease response' with participants from a wide range of government and industry organisations. Keep an eye out in the July edition for more information!


AHA EVENTS
DId you know that AHA has event facilities for hire? Located in central Canberra, our facilities can accommodate events for eight to 110 people for everything from boardroom meetings, conferences and training workshops to cocktail events. Contact us via events@animalhealthaustralia.com.au to see how we can tailor an event for your needs. 

 

 

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

 


 

Kathleen Plowman, CEO

 

 
 

AHA and member update

 
 

Johne’s disease testing underpins high assurance scores for cattle

 

Under the new framework for managing Johne’s disease in beef cattle, producers nationwide have until 30 June 2018 to conduct their first laboratory test if they wish to maintain a Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) of 7 or 8 for their
herd(s).

 

Read more

 

 
 
 
 

NAB Agribusiness Rising Champions Initiative

 

Cattle Council of Australia

Cattle Council aims to inspire, empower and support young people, who are passionate about the Australian beef industry and to provide them with an opportunity to be directly involved. It is vital that the cattle producers and stakeholders of tomorrow are involved in the planning that occurs today.


The NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion Initiative provides participants with the opportunity to network with some of Australia’s key beef industry leaders and provide contacts that will contribute to participant's career progression within the beef industry.

 

To find out more, or how to apply click here.

Credit: Cattle Council of Australia

 
 
 
 

National Biosecurity Statement

 

​Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 

 

Currently there is no single, overarching national policy statement or strategy shared by all biosecurity system participants. A National Biosecurity Statement will present a common and unified approach to biosecurity by:
•       providing a national vision and goals for biosecurity
•       providing clarity on the roles and responsibilities of all participants
•       outlining priorities and principles for managing biosecurity risk.


Creating a National Biosecurity Statement was a recommendation of the 2017 independent report Priorities for Australia’s Biosecurity System, also known as the IGAB Review

 

Share your ideas on what we should include in the statement. Submissions close on 31 October 2018. Find out more here.

 
 

Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 07 March 2018

This is Jeff.
Jeff doesn’t realise he’s about to make a big biosecurity blunder!

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility; it affects what we eat, how we earn our living and what we do for fun.

If you see something weird, don’t be a Jeff!

SEE. SECURE. REPORT.

Find out more -
agriculture.gov.au/dontbeajeff

 
 
 

First Leadersheep Forum to encourage industry's emerging leaders

 

Sheep Producers Australia, media release, 20 June 2018

Sheep Producers Australia will host its inaugural Leadersheep Forum ahead of LambEx 2018 in Perth, designed to connect current and emerging sheep industry leaders prior to the industry’s flagship event.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Always use a Sheep Health Declaration

 

The Sheep Health Declaration is the most important disease risk management tool sheep buyers have available to them. It enables producers to assess disease and other biosecurity risks when buying, selling or agisting stock.
 

The SHD is available to download on the Farm Biosecurity website. It can be filled out electronically or printed and filled out by hand.

 

For more information on improving biosecurity in your sheep flock, click here.

 
 
 
 

Credit: Taryn Mokotupu

SPA to round up industry’s best photos

 

Sheep Producers Australia, media release, 13 June 2018

 

Sheep Producers Australia is on the hunt for images showcasing the people, sustainability, innovation and best practice management of the Australian sheep industry as part of the 2018 stockTAKE Photography Competition.
 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Tasmania advertises for new CVO

 

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Biosecurity Tasmania

 

Lead and direct the delivery of work as Tasmania's Chief Veterinary Officer within the Animal Biosecurity and Welfare Branch in establishing and monitoring programs and budgets to maintain and further develop Animal Biosecurity and Welfare within Tasmania.

 

To find out more, or apply click here

 
 
 

In the news

 
 
.

Australian farmers continue to excel as NFF pursues bold vision for agriculture

 

NFF, media release, 18 June 2018

 

The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) has recognised the resilience, hard work and ingenuity of Australian farmers with forecasts predicting an increase in farm-gate production in 2018-19.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Push for #BetterBushComms continues

 

Georgie Somerset, AgForce telecommunications committee chair, Queensland Country Life, 19 June 2018


Having better access to reliable and affordable phone and internet services is essential for people, living, working and travelling in regional, rural and remote areas.


We need good services to run our businesses, educate our children and stay connected with family and friends.

 

Read more

 
 
 
 

Mohair Mojo: How the surging goat industry is letting its hair grow

 

Tim Lee, ABC Rural, 11 June 2018

 

Goat farmers are no longer considered the poor relation of Australian woolgrowers with goat production booming and some farmers discovering goats can be more profitable than sheep.

 

Read more

 
 
 

QUICK BITS

 
 

John Ralph Essay Competiton 2018: Society should determine the right to farm

 

Australian Farm Institute, 22 May 2018
 

The Australian Farm Institute established the annual John Ralph Essay Competition in 2010 to honour John Ralph, who was the inaugural Chairman of the Australian Farm Institute.

 

Read more

New Zealand scientists are breeding sheep to fart and burp less

 

Jon Daly, WA Country Hour, 07 June 2018
 

Scientists at Invermay Agricultural Centre in Mosgiel, about 360km south-west of Christchurch, have bred climate-friendly sheep that produce 10 per cent less methane than their gassy counterparts.

 

Read more

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UPCOMING EVENTS

 
 
 

2-4

July

 
 

A great opportunity to find out what is happening on the ground across the north in developing northern agriculture, in the Gulf and Cape of Queensland, the Ord and West Kimberley of WA, and the NT.

 
 
 
 
 
 

5-7

August

 
 

LambEx 2018 celebrates all that is great about Australia’s sheep and lamb industries, featuring a compelling program with outstanding speakers and an opportunity to network with all sectors of the lamb value chain.

 
 
 
 
 
 

23-26

August

 

Australian Alpaca Spectacular

 

The Australian Alpaca Spectacular is a huge event to celebrate and promote the achievements of Australian Alpaca Association members, educate and inspire anyone with an interest ​in alpacas, and encourage further investment into the industry in Australia.

 
 
 
 
 
 

11-13

November

 
 

The Australian Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference Organising Committee is pleased to announce the 1st Australian Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference will be held at the Novotel Twin Waters, Sunshine Coast QLD on 11-13 Nov 2018.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

23-23

November

 
 

Red Meat 2018 is a flagship event for Australia’s red meat industry. It is open to all local and interstate producers and industry stakeholders, with a bumper program to showcase Australian beef, lamb and goatmeat and the very best of Canberra.

 
 
 
 
 
 

28

November

 
 

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the AHA Office on Wednesday 28 November. More information will become available closer to the date. 

 
 
 

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Office location: Level 2, 95 Northbourne Ave, Turner ACT 2612