Wishing you all a jolly holiday season from Northern Ag News. Thank you for your fabulous support throughout 2024.

Northern Ag News will be back on deck on Thursday, 30 January 2025.

Contact me if you have any queries before then, on 0409 405 639 or at sarah.hetherington@deeca.vic.gov.au

In this edition

• Caution feeding cereal straw in the lead-up to joining
• Consider early weaning to save feed and water
• Bringing it together – Carbon and Emissions Resource Kit
• The benefits of early pregnancy testing in beef cattle
• Showcasing Victoria's produce on a local level
• Last edition of The Fast Break for 2024
• Partnering on community-led action against pests
• Victorian agricultural societies receive targeted support
• Where will you place your livestock during an emergency?
• New research shows wheat falling number may improve after storage
• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• 2025 Victorian and Tasmanian Crop Sowing Guide out now
• ICYMI
• What's on

Disappointing spring pasture growth in western and northern Victoria means farmers are turning to alternative feed sources to help ewes regain condition after lambing.

Regaining the condition that has been lost through lactation is critical to a successful joining.

While there is plenty of cereal straw available in most regions, straw will not provide the nutrition required by most livestock.

Cereal straw tends to be low in both energy and protein and is almost always high in fibre.

It can be a valuable fibre source to complement a high-grain diet when no other fibre source (like pasture or hay) is available.

Feeds with low potential for liveweight gain (such as straw) are characterised by 2 factors: animals can’t eat very much of it and what they can eat doesn’t yield much energy or protein.

The high fibre percentage in straw limits how much animals can consume – it takes so long to be broken down in the rumen that it moves very slowly through the digestive tract.

Cereal straw can take up to 48 hours to pass through the rumen, while a more digestible, higher quality feed can pass through the rumen in under 12 hours.

To put weight on ewes, energy is the most important ingredient, followed closely by protein.

To make sure that adequate weight gains can be achieved on a straw-based diet, it is likely that the straw will need to be matched with a high-energy and protein supplement.

To be able to balance the ration and make sure that it has sufficient energy, it’s important to know the feed quality of the straw and grain you will be feeding, even if they came from your own property.

Knowing the quality of the feed you have on hand enables you to create a ration that meets the nutritive needs of your stock.

Many producers have taken a failed crop and added value to it by baling it for hay.

While there is a quality–quantity trade-off between having sufficient dry matter to cut and the decline in feed quality as the crop matures and/or dries out, in many cases this becomes a worthwhile feed source.

Once again, it’s important to check the feed quality of the hay by doing a feedtest.

Then you can work out an effective ration for the lowest cost and add the required amount of energy to reach the target level of animal performance.

There are a number of easily accessible resources that outline the common values of feeds and animal requirements for energy and protein (sheep): click here

Understanding the energy, protein and fibre levels of your feeds is one half of a feed budget. The other half is knowing the energy, protein and fibre requirements of the animals you are feeding.

Lifetime Wool has shown that the number of lambs born is directly related to condition scores at joining, assuming ewe condition can be maintained during pregnancy.

Where breeding ewes are in lighter than ideal condition, a rising plane of nutrition in the lead-up to joining increases conception rates.

Keeping stock in good condition gives you options if you decide to sell later. Putting on condition is more costly than maintaining condition, so feeding early is the best strategy.

A webinar with Jillian Kelly, a veterinary nutritionist from AHN Consulting, on the importance of nutrition in drought conditions is available at Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding Livestock website.

The NSW Drought Feed Calculator app is free and user-friendly.  Find out more at Drought and Supplementary Feed Calculator.

Dr Hannah Manning, Livestock Industry Development Officer 

Feed and water shortages are likely as we move into summer, so consider weaning your beef calves early to save on requirements.

Early weaning can help your cows maintain condition and fertility while setting up the calves to receive the nutrition they need to thrive.

Lactating cows require a large amount of energy. It’s more efficient to convert feed directly into the calf weight than milk for a cow and calf unit.

Providing the appropriate diet to a mob of dry cows and weaned calves, rather than cows with calves at foot, can significantly reduce feeding costs.

Cows making milk need up to 100 litres of water a day and those not feeding a calf require less. Although calves will drink more once weaned, the savings come from reducing the cow's requirements.

Weaning early also allows the farmer to complete a stocktake and sell or cull non-productive or aged animals.

In most cases, calves should be weaned at around 120 kg, as they will be easier to feed. The younger the weaning age of the calf, the higher its energy and protein requirements are.

Setting your calves up to succeed is very important, so exposing them to post-weaning supplements while they are still on the cow is recommended.

Post-weaning supplements should be introduced to calves slowly via creep-feeding and vaccinating two weeks before weaning to protect against clostridial diseases.

Avoid combining stressful procedures like castration and dehorning with early weaning.

Weaners can be difficult to manage at times, so we recommend getting their nutrition and supervision spot-on to allow the calves to thrive.

Further information about weaning beef cattle can be found on our website.

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

Agriculture Victoria is confident the new one-stop spot for existing resources, tools and training related to carbon and emissions in agriculture, will help people navigate their understanding of carbon farming.

Agriculture Victoria Climate Change Service Development Officer, Heather Field said the new digital kit includes links to a range of Agriculture Victoria products and resources, plus industry and Australian government resources.

‘The purpose of the Carbon and Emissions Resource Kit is to provide a one-stop spot to access existing trusted, publicly available and science-based resources, tools and training related to carbon and emissions in agriculture.

‘The kit will be a valuable resource for service providers including consultants, government agency staff and advisors delivering carbon and emissions information and management strategies to farmers.

‘This new product can be used in the Carbon Farming Outreach Program which supports farmers and land managers to understand carbon farming and how they can benefit from moving to a low-carbon future,’ Ms Field said.

Ms Field said the new kit provides information to help address 3 key questions asked by farmers; why do I need to manage my emissions? where do I start? and is carbon farming something I should be doing more of?

Access the Carbon and Emissions Resource Kit online, or call us on 136 186.

Dr Hannah Manning, Livestock Industry Development Officer Colac

During a difficult season, some cows will have a tough time getting back in calf.

Many spring calving herds are joining their cows and in some cases these cows are in poorer condition than normal.

Limited feed availability makes getting back in calf a big ask for the cows.

Due to the season, there is a risk of reduced conception rates for many farms. We can’t change what has already happened, but if farmers pregnancy test early they can make informed decisions about empty cows.

Cows can be pregnancy tested from 6 weeks, meaning farmers can sell empty cows earlier to prevent feeding unproductive stock.

In a lean year pregnancy testing also gives farmers a chance to examine their stock and keep and feed only their most valuable stock.

The cost of owning and maintaining a beef cow for a year is high, so every cow on the property must be fully productive.

Even if they have calves at foot, non-pregnant cows are only partially productive. Given the year, early weaning is also worth considering.

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

Victoria’s regional communities are hosting a string of local events showcasing the very best of locally produced food and beverages over the next four months with backing from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced the allocation of 16 grants from the governments Vic Grown Regional Activation Grants Program, to regional organisations for the delivery of food and beverage events.

The $1.1 million program offered up to $70,000 each for regional tourism boards, food and fibre groups and other regional representative organisations.

Among the recipients was Destination Phillip Island, who with the support of a $70,000 grant recently ran the ‘Local Flavours Food and Drink Showcase - Phillip Island and Bass Coast’ event at Berninneit, Cowes.

The activation showcased producers from across the region and provided a unique opportunity for local producers to share their products and stories with the local community and visitors.

Another recipient, Yarra Valley ECOSS, will use their $70,000 grant to deliver the ‘ECOSS Twilight Market and Artisan Food Extravaganza’ on 20 December 2024 at 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn.

This activation offers an interactive experience promoting local food producers and a zero-waste target, including stalls, live music, kids' activities and cooking demonstrations.

Applications for grants of up to $70,000 were open from 4 January 2024 to 16 February 2024, with an extension to 8 March 2024 provided to organisations significantly impacted by storm and fire events in early 2024.

The Regional Activation Grants program is part of the government’s Vic Grown initiative which helps promote and increase awareness of locally made food and beverages.

For more about the diverse local produce Victoria has to offer visit, melbournefoodandwine.com.au/vic-grown.

To learn more about the Regional Activation Grants Program, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

The latest The Fast Break newsletter is now available.

This newsletter details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises three-month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria.

To subscribe or to view the latest issue click here

Organisations on the front line protecting Victoria’s environment, agriculture industry, and cultural heritage from biosecurity threats are being backed by the Victorian Government to manage invasive weeds and pest animals.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the 25 recipients of the third round of the $5 million Partnerships Against Pests grants program.

This program provides funding to community groups for projects that educate, strengthen relationships, and promote collaboration in managing established invasive weeds and pest animals at the local level.

Established weeds and pest animals damage our landscapes and waterways, cause substantial production losses, jeopardise international market access and damage culturally sensitive sites of First Nations people.

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 were available to various agricultural and environmental not-for-profit organisations, including Landcare groups and networks.

Successful projects included initiatives such as peri-urban and regional fox monitoring, the development of community pest management plans and partnering with Traditional Owners for on country management whilst protecting cultural heritage.

Among the recipients is Wildlife Unlimited, who received $50,000 for its Partnerships Against Foxes in East Gippsland project. This initiative brings community and agency stakeholders together to develop innovative solutions for fox control in East Gippsland.

The project will include a webinar on fox impacts and control, two training workshops on the FoxScan app, and the development of an East Gippsland Remote Communities Fox Control Strategy.

This funding is in addition to the $250,000 allocated to competitive grants for Victoria’s four community pest management groups – the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Gorse Taskforce, Victorian Rabbit Action Network, and Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party.

This funding is helping expand their influence across the state and strengthen partnerships with local communities.

For the full list of grant recipients, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources.

The Victorian Government is backing regional Victoria with investments into local agricultural and pastoral societies to keep our iconic regional shows thriving.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $300,000 across 34 Agricultural and Pastoral Societies to make improvements to showground amenities like fencing and essential infrastructure upgrades as part of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program.

Earlier this year, eligible societies applied for grants of up to $10,000 towards infrastructure development and other business activities to celebrate Victoria’s agricultural communities, industry and produce.

Recipient, Port Fairy Agricultural Pastoral & Horticultural Society Inc, received $10,000 to upgrade the electrical systems, install a new meter box and main switchboard to allow for solar and generator power and lighting replacements.

The upgrades will help reduce energy bills and mean the facilities can be used as a community hub during natural disasters, as well as throughout the year by groups such as Little Athletics, junior football, school sport, and sheepdog trials.

Previous projects funded under the program include new animal yards, fencing, shade covers and lighting or upgrades to shearing pavilions, luncheon halls, public amenities and viewing stands.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program is helping to boost rural and regional economies, promoting the agriculture sector, and fostering community engagement.

To learn more about the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

To view the full 2024/25 Victorian Show Calendar visit vicagshows.com.au/show-calendar.

It’s crucial to have a refuge area/paddock or stock containment area ready for your livestock during emergencies, with adequate feed and water for their safety.

Use the Fire Preparedness Toolkit and web resources to start planning for stock containment areas, emergency feeding and water budgeting – available here

Above: Agriculture Victoria Research Leader Dr Cassandra Walker and Dr Pankaj Maharjan test for increasing falling number in wheat stored over six months in the Horsham laboratory

Grain growers generally experience anxiety when the falling number test machine comes out at harvest, but new preliminary research findings suggest that wheat falling number test results could improve with time in storage.

The findings are part of a new research investment by GRDC and Agriculture Victoria supported by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) and LongReach Plant Breeders.

This research explored the possibility of falling number test results improving due to grain being stored. While growers have reported this anecdotally, until now the concept had not been scientifically tested.

GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team lead Chris Warrick said trials by Agriculture Victoria’s research team at Horsham SmartFarm indicated wheat falling number could increase by up to 50 seconds and even exceed 300 seconds post storage. In contrast, barley did not show an increase and further research was needed to understand the differences.

While Mr Warrick said the preliminary results were encouraging, further research was needed to test the results across more varieties to better understand how growing and storage conditions might influence a change in falling number.

Preliminary findings indicate:

• wheat with an initial falling number test result exceeding 250 seconds has the potential to increase and surpass the 300-second threshold required for various Australian wheat grades during storage.
• while cold storage is best for mould and insect prevention, storing wheat at 25-30°C may increase the likelihood of increasing the falling number test results compared to colder temperatures.
• the wheat used in this research had a moisture content of 11% and was stored at 45% humidity. The impact of varying moisture levels on falling number changes is still unknown.
• preliminary research shows that increasing the falling number by 40-50 seconds took 4-6 months.

Agriculture Victoria research leader Dr Cassandra Walker said research found that where wheat had an initial falling number of less than 250 seconds, no change in falling number was observed.

'We are not talking about magic, specific storage conditions are essentially an attempt to stop the very early stages of germination,' she said.

Mr Warrick said while the research was preliminary it had yet to be replicated in farm storage conditions.

'We are sharing these early results to give growers the opportunity to decide if they want to try storing wheat that doesn’t quite make the 300 second falling number test and see if it improves with storage,' Mr Warrick said.

'We certainly don’t want to create an expectation that these results will be replicated in all conditions, there are still many variables and influences we need to understand through further research.'

Mr Warrick reminded growers that aside from falling number considerations with storage it was also critical they prioritised safe grain storage practices, including regular monitoring of grain temperature and moisture, and using a sieve and probe traps to detect insects.

'It would be counterproductive if we chase an increase in falling number at the expense of letting grain go mouldy or become damaged from insect pests such as weevils,' he said.

'We aim to cool grain immediately after harvest to maintain seed viability, preserve grain colour, prevent mould, and deter insects.'

Mr Warrick said in theory operating aeration cooling fans as usual for the initial phases as soon as the storage was full, then reducing fan runtime once grain temperature was in the 25-30 degree Celsius range, to delay further cooling for grain moderately low in falling number could have positive outcomes for the falling number test result.

'As soon as the target falling number result is reached, if it’s reached, then aeration cooling would be continued to provide safer storage conditions, reducing the chance of spoilage from mould or insects,' he said.

Mr Warrick said the research could have significant benefits for Australian growers if well managed storage could help wheat reach the next grade to return an extra $50-$150/tonne.

'GRDC's proactive approach in recognising the opportunity to conduct preliminary research when conditions presented at short notice could prove a major game changer for growers,' he said.

'This research would not have been possible without the prompt cooperation and investment from GRDC and the support from the Agriculture Victoria Research Horsham SmartFarm team and NSW DPIRD field trials team, along with LongReach Plant Breeders who provided samples.'

For more information on managing grain in storage, download a copy of the GRDC Grain Storage GrowNotes from storedgrain.com.au or call your nearest grain storage specialist on 1800 WEEVIL (1800 933 845).

The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides a free and confidential financial counselling service to eligible farmers and small related enterprises who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

They can help you to access available support, analyse your business situation, negotiate with lenders and develop strategies to improve your financial position.

To find your closest service click here or call 1300 771 741.

The guide lists and describes varieties of the major winter crops suitable to grow in Victoria and Tasmania in the upcoming season.

Done as part of the national variety trials.

Visit GRDC Resources and Publications page to download the guide in PDF

Hot days, cool pets

'Hot Days, Cool Pets' is your go-to guide for ensuring our furry companions stay safe and happy during the sizzling summer months. 

As the temperature rises, it’s crucial to prioritise the well-being of our beloved pets. Summer brings its own set of challenges, from scorching pavements to sudden thunderstorms. Follow these essential tips to make this summer a cool and comfortable one for your pets.

For all the information click here

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.

DATE: Tuesday 17 December

TIME: 12:30 – 1:30 pm

ONLINE - REGISTER HERE

Agriculture Victoria is inviting farmers to a webinar about buying, selling and feeding out fodder.

• how to take a feed test
• interpreting results
• feeding livestock.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Fiona Baker will discuss how to take fodder samples for feed tests and how to interpret what the results mean.

Fiona brings extensive expertise in feed management and will offer valuable guidance for farmers looking to source and manage livestock feed.

Agriculture Victoria is offering one free feed test to support Victorian farmers make the most of the event.

A limited number of tests are available. We encourage farmers to register now and attend the webinar to be eligible to receive.

You are invited to join us as we unpack how to utilise carcase information using the MLA myFeedback tool.

Date: Wednesday, 18 December
Time: 1 – 2 pm
Where: Online via Zoom.

myFeedback is an industry-first single source data program, combining the benefits of carcase and eating quality data with animal disease and defect insights in one place, enabling more accurate benchmarking of carcase performance.

Lachlan Jeffers, Meat Standards Australia, will take producers on a tour of the myFeedback program, demonstrate how the program functions and work through analysing and interpreting feedback data for both beef and sheep.

The program is designed to help producers make data-driven on-farm decisions to improve the quality and health of their livestock, in line with market requirements.

To register please click the link here

If you would like more information or experience difficulties registering, please contact Alison Desmond at Agriculture Victoria on 0409 424 274 or alison.desmond@agriculture.vic.gov.au

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