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Barwon South-West Ag news
 
Thursday 5 December, 2019
In this edition
Latest news
Get your livestock fire plans finalised

by Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer

Now is the time for all livestock owners to be prepared and have a clear strategy to carry out in the event of a fire emergency on their farm.

A key factor in minimising the threat to livestock during a bush fire or on extreme fire danger days is to identify safer areas on-farm where livestock can be moved to.

The area you choose will depend on the type of livestock and their expected behaviour during a fire. Other aspects to consider include the terrain and accessibility of the area, as well as the likely behaviour of a fire.

Having a livestock fire plan that has been carefully thought through and can be quickly executed will minimise the risk to livestock and people, especially if that plan has been practised prior to an actual fire event.

On days of extreme fire danger, or on the day before, livestock should be moved into lower risk areas on-farm, or to a safer property.

Low risk areas include paddocks with green summer crops or lucerne; bare paddocks with no dry feed; or a ploughed paddock. Low risk areas should not be next to areas of scrub or bushland and should be large enough to allow livestock to move around and away from a fire.

All low risk areas should have sufficient drinking water to enable livestock to remain in the area for extended periods of high fire risk and high temperatures, be protected by firebreaks and be free of leaf, twigs and bark build-up.

Areas where there are dams and swamps are another option to consider.

Stockyards have been known to successfully hold livestock during a fire if protected by a firebreak. If this is your preferred option, consider using a sprinkler system to minimise heat stress.

Horses should not be locked up in small areas or stables but rather should be moved to an open paddock with minimal vegetation, so they can move freely. Horses are good at moving themselves to safe open areas.

If equipment such as rugs, halters and flyveils remain on horses, the plastic may melt, and metal buckles can burn the animal, so consider using rope halters for easier handling and management.

It’s crucial that gates remain closed that may allow livestock access to public roadways, as any animals will present a hazard to traffic in smoky conditions.

Livestock owners are urged to act early and not get caught trying to move stock as a fire approaches. Listen to weather forecasts and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action.

For further assistance on preparing a farm and livestock bushfire plan go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies or contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.

The Fast Break

The cool start to summer is due to a negative Southern Annular Model (SAM) according to the latest edition of The Fast Break.

A strongly negative SAM is leading to cooler conditions south of the Divide with plenty of south-westerly winds and some rainfall. However, north of the Divide, and in the state's far east, it has been drier.

A detailed update on seasonal climate drivers and outlooks is available now. Log on at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate.

Predicting fertility of dairy cows a game changer
 

Agriculture Victoria research scientists have developed a model that can predict how likely a dairy cow is to conceive to first insemination with up to 77 per cent accuracy.

The world-first research combines mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) – which shines an infrared light through cows’ milk – with other on-farm data for 3000 dairy cows from 19 herds across Australia.

Cow fertility is a key driver of profitability for Australia’s dairy industry but until now there has been little research towards enabling farmers to predict the outcome of insemination.

Dr Phuong Ho and Professor Jennie Pryce

Agriculture Victoria research scientist and leader of this DairyBio initiative, Professor Jennie Pryce, said dairy farmers could use this research to optimise their breeding decisions, increasing farm productivity and profitability.

“The expected outcome of this research is a valuable prediction tool for farmers who choose to herd-test in early lactation, before the joining season starts,” she said.

“We are now collaborating with DataGene and the herd test centres, working towards implementing the research and providing the best advice for farmers.”

Agriculture Victoria research scientist Dr Phuong Ho said farmers could optimise breeding decisions using prior knowledge of how likely an individual cow is to become pregnant after insemination.

“Sexed or premium bull semen could be used for cows predicted to have a high likelihood of conception, whereas cows with predicted poor fertility could be mated using semen from beef bulls, multiple doses, or semen from bulls of known high genetic merit for fertility,” Dr Ho said.

“Additionally, farmers might adjust feeding or management strategies to help predicted poor cows improve their physiological condition and probability of conception.”

The model combines information from milk MIR samples, which farmers routinely collect, with information on fertility genomic breeding values, cow genotype, milk yield, age of cow at lactation and days in milk when the sample was taken and at insemination.

The model is currently undergoing extensive validation using data from New South Wales dairy farms before being made available to dairy farmers.

This research is another example of how Agriculture Victoria research scientists are expanding the use of MIR technology to enable farmers to make smarter and more profitable management decisions for their herds.

This research is part of the DairyBio initiative between Agriculture Victoria, Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Foundation, in collaboration with DataGene. The paper, Classifying the fertility of dairy cows using milk mid-infrared spectroscopy, is published in the Journal of Dairy Science.

Employing overseas workers in dairy

Farmers struggling to find skilled labour are invited to attend information sessions on employing overseas workers. The main topic to be discussed will be the Great South Coast (GSC) Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

The DAMA provides special access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program and allows workers the pathway to permanent residency.

Two dairy-focused sessions will provide an overview of the DAMA Program and what is required by employers to be endorsed for a labour agreement to recruit skilled overseas workers. Once endorsed, employers are able to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for specified positions they are unable to fill with local workers. Employers must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit Australians prior to getting access to a DAMA.

Representatives from Department of Home Affairs, VETASSESS and Great South Coast (GSC) DAMA will be available and present on the following:

  • Overview of Great South Coast DAMA objectives
  • Approved occupations and concessions
  • Designated Area Representative (DAR) Role and Management of DAMA
  • Labour Agreement Overview
  • How to access the DAMA – request for endorsement
  • Sponsor obligations
  • Nominating workers
  • Skills Assessment requirements
  • Alternative visa options for regional employers.

The two sessions will be held on the 10 and 11 December, as follows:

Civic Centre
25 Liebig Street, Warrnambool
Tuesday 10 December
11 am – 2 pm

Westvic Dairy
5 Cressy Street, Camperdown
Wednesday 11 December
11 am – 2 pm

RSVP: By Monday 9 December to Amanda Heard, Westvic Dairy at amanda@westvicdairy.com.au or on 5557 1000.

Young Farmer Business Network

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.

Finding Australia's next generation of lamb leaders

Are you, or do you know someone, aged 18 –35 years who is passionate about the Australian sheep and lamb industry?

Well, we'd like to let them know that the LambEx 2020 Young Guns competition is open!

Six finalists will be selected from round one of the LambEx 2020 Young Guns competition to attend the conference in Melbourne, receive travel assistance up to $800, and will be provided with professional development opportunities during the event.

Entering the competition is easy! LambEx wants to hear your vision on how to connect the Australian sheep and lamb industry with city consumers.

Simply capture your vision in three minutes or less using any digital medium(s) including (but not limited to) video, photography with voice overlay, digital storytelling, graphics, animation, GoPro etc.

Unleash your creativity over the coming months to prepare and submit your entry by 31 January 2020.

For information go to: https://lambex.com.au/lambex-young-guns/

Food Innovation Voucher Stream – Round 4 closing 22 December

The Food Innovation Voucher Stream is a new initiative of the Victorian Government that helps companies access the know-how needed to innovate, diversify, improve productivity and take new and innovative products to market.

Applications for Round 4 of Boost Your Business close on Sunday 22 December.

Potential assistance available includes: 

  • Up to $10,000 for early stage feasibility and testing
  • Up to $50,000 for process innovation, product development and research and development

Eligibility

Applicant businesses must be a small to medium enterprise with an operating presence in Victoria and be registered as members of the Food Innovation Network.

Round 4 of Boost Your Business closes Sunday 22 December 2019.

More information on how to apply is available here

Honey bee health survey

A short survey has been developed to find out how healthy Australian honey bees are, and what pests and diseases might be causing problems for beekeepers.

The results from the survey will be used to decide what help beekeepers might need to keep their honey bees healthy. It will also provide statistics for use by the industry.

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, Plant Health Australia, and AgriFutures Australia, encourage all Australian beekeepers to take part in this survey, which will only take 10–12 minutes to complete.

The survey closes on 31 December 2019.

**TAKE THE SURVEY NOW**

Planning support for small-scale pig and poultry producers

Provides Victorian small-scale pig and poultry producers with funding of up to $3,000 to help them with the costs related to obtaining a land use planning permit.

Who can apply:

At a minimum, you must:

  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • be seeking a land use planning permit for an existing or proposed small-scale pig or poultry farm located in Victoria
  • complete a small-scale pig and poultry planning workshop prior to applying for the grant program.

Other eligibility requirements may apply.

Deadline to apply: Applications close: 31 May 2020

Applications will remain open until 31 May 2020, or when the funding allocation is expended, whichever occurs first.

Contact information: 13 61 86 or psai@ecodev.vic.gov.au

APPLY HERE: Planning Support Program for Small-Scale Pig and Poultry Producers VIC

What's on

Agriculture Victoria will cancel workshops on Code Red fire danger days

Sustainable dairy farming program
Event Details

DAY1:

Tuesday 10 December 

10 am – 2 pm

Location TBC, depending on interest

 

WestVic Dairy, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria are conducting a three-day workshop discussing nutrient budgeting and management, including effluent use and storage.

Participants will receive comprehensive nutrient and effluent use plans, including farm maps outlining nutrient status, soil types, management zones and application areas.

More information is available from WestVic Dairy Extension Officer Libby Swayn on (03) 5557 1000 or at libby@westvicdairy.com.au

Grain storage webinars: convenient delivery of expert advice
GRDC webinar series 2019 header
Remaining webinar

Tuesday 10 December – aeration cooling

 

A series of free grain storage webinars from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will provide growers with convenient, timely and relevant information and advice about all aspects of storing grain on-farm.

One webinar will be held every month for the remainder of 2019 – each being 30 minutes and focused on different topics.

For more information and to register, go to storedgrain.com.au/event/webinar-planning-storage or contact Amy Harwood via amy.harwood@bcg.org.au or 0456 979 561.

Save-the-date

GRDC Grains Research Update – Bannockburn
Event details

Thursday 27 February
9 am – 1 pm

Cultural Centre
27 High Street
Bannockburn

 

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.

Presenters and topics to be confirmed soon.

Register here.

Event details

Wednesday 25 March

Wannon Function Centre
Warrnambool

 

Great South West Dairy Awards Gala

The gala evening will once again acknowledge and celebrate those who are achieving great things in the dairy industry.

Awards will be made in the following categories:

  • Dairy Farm Business Management Award
  • Young Dairy Leader Award
  • Service Provider Award
  • Natural Resource Sustainability Management Award
  • Employee Award
  • Western Victorian Dairy Industry Honour Board
  • Farm Photo Award.
 

Further information about the awards, including the application process, is available from WestVic Dairy at www.westvicdairy.com.au or by contacting them on 5557 1000.

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Contacting Agriculture Victoria

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.

A full list of our contact points can be found at:
agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us.

Don't forget to check out Agriculture Victoria's social media sites for up-to-date information and news.

 

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Follow us on Twitter @VicGovAg

 

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Privacy | Email: justine.severin@ecodev.vic.gov.au

 
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