In this edition

• Bird owners urged to remain vigilant
• Get it right every time – is it fit to load?
• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• Livestock’s need for roughage during winter
• New term for Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council
• Biosecurity planning is not a one-size-fits-all process
• Consider the risks when operating machinery
• Public consultation opens for new Victorian Wine Strategy
• What does your FOO look like?
• AgVic Talk podcast – Episode 8
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• Partnering with community to manage pests and weeds
• In case you missed it
• What's on

As we continue to respond to the avian flu outbreak, we’re urging bird owners to remain vigilant. 

Look out for symptoms and report any unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226. 

For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu

Livestock must be inspected prior to being loaded and they must not be suffering from conditions that could cause, or would be likely to cause, increased pain or distress during transport.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Jeff Cave said if you are in doubt about an animal’s suitability for transport, you can always ask your private veterinarian or any Agriculture Victoria animal health officer or veterinary officer if livestock are fit to load.

Furthermore, a guideline titled ‘Is the animal fit to load?’ has been produced by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). This guideline can be viewed electronically on MLA’s website or ordered from MLA at MLA publications.

In summary, an animal is not fit to load if it: 

• is not able to walk normally or bear weight on all its legs. This may be due to a recent or old fracture, an injury, a deformity or an infection.
• is not strong enough to make the journey 
• is suffering from severe distress or injury
• is in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport
• is blind in both eyes
• is in late pregnancy.

Dr Cave said if you identify an animal that is unfit to load you have a few options. 

‘You could treat the animal and transport it when it has recovered and is fit to load. Naturally this is not an option in cases that are not readily treatable. 

‘Alternatively, you could humanely destroy the animal. A knackery service is available in many areas to help with this option.

‘Finally, you could consult a veterinarian and only transport the animal under veterinary advice.’

Dr Cave said remember, the person in charge of the animal is responsible for its welfare. Community values and expectations will not accept anything less.

For further information on animal welfare contact your local animal health staff at Agriculture Victoria or call 136 186.

Find the ‘Land transport of livestock standard guidelines and more information at https://go.vic.gov.au/45RZ6uQ.

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.

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

With a little new growth of pasture and the various supplementary feeds that could be given, you could ask – why is it also necessary to feed roughage?

Livestock needs to eat more roughage in cold weather to give them energy for heat production, keeping them warm since the fermentation and breakdown of cellulose creates heat energy.

If livestock don’t get enough roughage in the colder months, they will drop condition quickly as they use body fat to create energy for warmth. Feeding out late in the afternoon will provide ‘heat’ through the night.

There are many more reasons for livestock’s need for roughage during winter, including:

• even though some roughage may be left uneaten, for digestive function livestock require a minimum amount of fibre and long roughage to maintain their digestive systems. This is sometimes known as the ‘scratch factor’ and stimulates rumination (cud chewing)
• when moving livestock onto green pasture their rumen needs time to adjust to a new feed type
• newly growing pasture may not have adequate fibre levels
• it may be better to supplement stock to allow the pasture to establish and develop
• hungry cattle need to be prevented from gorging themselves onto pastures that may have potential to cause nitrate poisoning or bloat
• if feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage, acidosis or grain poisoning can occur
• as we move further into winter, hay may be needed to reduce grass tetany risks and allows a way of administering Causmag.

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health or extension staff, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

New members have been appointed to the second term of the Victorian Agriculture Climate Change Council to help the Victorian agriculture sector prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.

The new and returning members reflect a broad cross-section of expertise and networks across Victoria’s diverse farming communities, supply chains and academia intersecting with climate change issues.

Members include:

• Fiona Conroy – Sheep and cattle producer with experience carbon-neutral farming practices.
• Professor Richard Eckard – Globally recognised climate scientist focusing on emissions reduction in the agriculture sector.
• Gillian Hayman – Dairy industry leader with experience in natural resource management, agriculture extension, and facilitation and engagement activities
• Jack Holden – Sustainability and dairy supply chain professional with extensive networks across industry in Australia and New Zealand
• Luke Hooke – Sustainability manager with knowledge of Victorian farming systems, their linkages to global markets, and supply networks.
• Catherine Jenkins – Farmer, consultant and regional leader experienced in working with farm businesses to manage risks and mitigate impacts of climate change.
• Professor Lauren Rickards – Inter-disciplinary academic focusing on climate adaptation and the social complexities of managing climate change in agriculture and rural communities.

Experienced rural, agricultural and community leader Alexandra Gartmann will continue as the Council Chair. She will be joined by Mark Wootton AO, a leading beef and wool farmer experienced in carbon neutral farming at Jigsaw Farms, who will continue in the role as Deputy Chair.

‘I’m honoured to continue this critical work with new and reappointed members to the council,’ Ms Gartmann said.

‘Victoria’s agricultural sector continues to grow its engagement with the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents.’

‘I look forward to working with the council to advise on how we can further strengthen the agricultural sector's capability and capacity to mitigate the risks and execute on the opportunities,’ Ms Gartmann added.

The council provides independent, expert and strategic advice to the Minister for Agriculture about the challenges and opportunities facing the Victorian agriculture sector due to climate change.

Members bring valuable industry perspectives and will continue to help government work in partnership with industry to deliver meaningful and collaborative action on climate change for agriculture.

For more information about the council visit the Victorian Agriculture Climate Change Council.

Every farm and property are different, and each requires a unique on-farm biosecurity plan.

This online module is designed to provide you with information to understand the importance of biosecurity and how you can apply key biosecurity principles to your farm.

Complete the course and discover further modules here

Due to a recent on-farm death WorkSafe has created an alert to remind farmers, growers and others who regularly operate powered mobile plant to consider the risks when operating machinery on-farm.

This safety alert aims to help you build your knowledge on the safe use of powered mobile plant to reduce risks to you and your workers on farms.

Take the time to read this safety alert and forward this information onto other farmers who regularly use farm machinery including augers.

Those with a keen interest in shaping the future of Victoria's prestigious wine industry are encouraged to share their insights to contribute to the development of the new Victorian Wine Strategy.

The Victorian Government and the Victorian wine industry are co-designing the new strategy as part of a 2023–24 State Budget commitment.

The new strategy will address the key issues the industry faces, while working towards a more economically and environmentally sustainable sector.

To offer additional context to contributors, an engagement paper has been made available on the Engage Victoria website. This document lays out the primary challenges and opportunities within the wine sector.

A sequence of industry consultation forums has also been scheduled throughout late July and August to engage with interested parties.

Wine Strategy Steering Committee member and CEO of Wine Victoria Stephanie Duboudin said she encourages wine industry participants from across Victoria to attend a forum and make a submission.

‘The strategy is for everyone in the wine industry – from grape growers and wine makers, through to wholesalers and exporters, and hospitality, retail and consumers.

‘Victoria has one of the most exciting and innovative wine sectors in the world, and this strategy is a fantastic partnership between the Victorian Government and wine industry to shape the future of our sector.’

Wine Strategy Steering Committee chair Traci Griffin said the committee is looking to determine the best path forward for Victorian wine.

‘By inviting industry input, we aim to create a comprehensive and inclusive strategy that not only strengthens the wine sector but also enhances tourism, creates jobs, and drives economic growth across the state.

‘While many of our wineries continue to perform strongly, this strategy is about addressing key challenges and enabling opportunities to ensure a vibrant, diverse and flourishing wine industry in Victoria.’

The industry forums will be held in August, with the final strategy expected to be ready by early 2025.

To have your say on the future of the Victorian wine industry and to register for a forum, visit www.engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-wine-strategy

With current seasonal conditions green feed may be limiting and assessing the value of pasture can be difficult.

Find out how to measure your Feed on Offer (FOO).

Use the FOO assessment guide and the AWI FOO library to help you estimate and assess what you have on offer.

More resources to assist in assessing pastures are available on Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding Livestock website.

An on-farm biosecurity plan is essential to help prevent, eliminate and minimise biosecurity risks on a farm.

Dr Hannah Manning from Agriculture Victoria explains that an on-farm biosecurity plan contains practical steps to prevent the introduction and spread of pests, diseases, weeds, and contaminants.

Ben Pickles, a rare sheep and chicken breeder, also talks through his process of creating a biosecurity plan that suits his unique farm and livestock.

Listen via the AgVic website

Victoria’s bounty collections resumed on 4 March 2024.

Please continue to check our website for the latest information, collection centres and dates. CLICK HERE

For any assistance, please speak to our bounty collection staff on collection days or call our Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Efforts to support long-term management of rabbits, blackberries, serrated tussock and gorse across Victoria have been bolstered with support from the Victorian Government to four community pest management groups.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has announced five Partnerships Against Pests grants to support projects totalling $250,000 across four groups to tackle pests and weeds infesting the Victorian landscapes and waterways.

The four community pest management groups that received funding are the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and Victorian Gorse Taskforce.

The cost of managing established weeds and pest animals for landowners across the state is estimated at $869 million each year.

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.

The Partnerships Against Pests program is aimed at expanding collaborative partnerships for the long-term management of established weeds and pest animals in Victoria. It focuses on reducing the impacts of established weeds and pests though local action to achieve sustainable, long term, whole-of-landscape changes.

Since its launch in 2023, the Partnerships Against Pests program has delivered grants totalling $690,000 for projects that support industry and community-led actions to target established pests and weeds.

This second round of funding will be used for projects that build capacity, raise awareness and encourage active management of established invasive species across the state.

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce and Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party will use their $85,000 grant to establish communities of practice with members across Victoria.

Members will develop expertise in weed identification and best-practice management so they can then act as ambassadors in their own communities.

The Partnerships Against Pests program is funded through the government’s Backing Victoria’s Producers initiative, which will deliver $5 million over four years to support community-led action to manage established weeds and pest animals in Victoria.

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

Repeat offender pleads guilty to aggravated cruelty to livestock

At Kerang Magistrates’ Court, farmer Bruce Cook pleaded guilty to 3 charges of aggravated cruelty and one of breaching an adjourned undertaking imposed in 2021.

Read the full media release here

Crowning Victoria’s premier wine for 2024

Some of Victoria’s most established winemakers have been in the spotlight at this year’s Victorian Wine Show, showcasing the best wine on offer from across the state.

Read the full media release 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.

Importance of nutrition – the first webinar in the Dry season winter webinar series 

Agriculture Victoria is running a series of lunchtime webinars to help farmers manage the dry conditions. The sessions will run for about an hour, with a chance to answer some questions at the end. Attend one or all sessions. This is the first session of three webinars.

When: Wednesday, 10 July, 12.30 – 1.30 pm

Register HERE 

Join veterinarian Dr Jillian Kelly from Animal Health & Nutrition Consulting. Dr Kelly has postgraduate qualifications in ruminant nutrition and extensive dry season experience.

These webinars will be recorded.

Managing lambing and lactating ewes - the second in the Dry season winter webinar series

Agriculture Victoria is running a series of lunchtime webinars to help farmers manage the dry conditions. The sessions will run for about an hour, with a chance to answer some questions at the end. Attend one or all sessions. This is the second session of three.

When: Wednesday, 17 July, 12.30 – 1.30 pm

Register HERE

Join Dynamic Ag Livestock Consultant Dr Steve Cotton to hear about managing lambing and lactating ewes when pasture is limited.

These webinars will be recorded.

Land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas – Dry season winter webinar series

Agriculture Victoria is running a series of lunchtime webinars to help farmers manage the dry conditions. The sessions will run for about an hour, with a chance to answer some questions at the end. This is the final session in the webinar series.

When: Wednesday, 24 July, 12.30 – 1.30 pm

Register HERE

Join Agriculture Victoria’s Clem Sturmfels for a session about land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas.

Webinars will be recorded.

Register now – you are invited to join other horticulture growers and apiarists for a free short business course in July in Wangaratta. 

This free Farm Business Resilience course is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to improve your business and be better equipped to manage the impacts of drought and changing climate.

These sessions will not focus on individual business information e.g. finances, but build and strengthen your business productivity.

Course facilitator: Gavin Beever, Cumbre Consulting with specialists presenting on:

Planning for success, 9 July

• Set plans and direction for your business
• Establish a vision and set goals
• Understand how to better identify and manage risk.

Business success, 10 July

• Profitable decision making
• Key business and finance tools.

Successful people, 11 July  

• Effective people management
• Safety
• Succession planning.

Climate and biosecurity risk, 16 and 17 July

• Climate risk and its impact on your business
• Natural disaster preparedness
• Apiary biosecurity.

Plan review, late July – August

• Refine your vison and goals with group feedback
• Further training opportunities and resources.

To register click here or for more information contact Andy Clark on 0436 804 656.  

This event is brought to you by Up2Us Landcare Alliance. 

Change on Farm with Cam Nicholson. Understanding Carbon and Climate, an informative event where we will discuss carbon and emissions on farm.

Cam is a Director of Nicon Rural Services, a consulting business near Geelong working with the grazing and cropping industries.

Date: Wednesday 17 July
Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Lunch included
Cost: $10
Location: Delatite Hotel, Mansfield

Cam has worked in pasture agronomy and soils for nearly 40 years and has been involved in many farmer programs for the GRDC, MLA, Landcare and the current Future Drought Fund. He provides consultancy advice to farmers and lectures on animal and pasture systems at Marcus Oldham College.

Some of his recent work has been on helping farmers understand where a farm business should be positioned in the rapidly evolving carbon market.

He and his wife Fiona also run a 400 ha beef and sheep farm on the Bellarine Peninsula turning off cattle for the long fed feedlot market and fine wool.

Register here

Join us for a complimentary dinner in Tarrawingee, hosted by the Rural City of Wangaratta and the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange, supported by the Victorian Government.

When: Thursday 18 July, 5:30 - 8 pm.

Where: The Plough Inn Tarrawingee, 2322 Wangaratta Beechworth Road, Tarrawingee.

Recent climate events have significantly impacted our agricultural community, requiring ongoing support and intervention.

Agriculture Victoria has been instrumental in providing essential resources and recovery services, and their support for this event will help us continue supporting our farming community together.

Free dinner and talk.

Don’t miss our guest speaker, Warren Davies, the Unbreakable Farmer!

Registrations are essential.

All enquiries email: r.golia@wangaratta.vic.gov.au.

Grain and mixed farmers are invited to a short two-day course in Bridgewater for your farm business future.

When:18 and 19 July, 8.30 am – 3 pm on day one, 9 am – 3 pm on day two.

Where: Bridgewater Recreation Reserve, Calder Hwy, Bridgewater

Presenter: Dr Kate Burke

Kate is an independent farm consultant who has a PhD and extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture. Her expertise is sought by large corporate enterprises but she most enjoys working with farmers that have a commitment to improvement. Using an evidence-based approach, Kate will guide you towards 'excellent farming'.

Topics include:

• Key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
• Income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
• Calculating basic financial benchmarks
• Understanding your personal appetite for risk
• Understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
• Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
• Scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond.

This event is free.

Participants who complete the two-day course and business plans will be eligible for a free, 45–90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.

Register here

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

Grain and mixed farmers are invited to a short two-day course in Colbinabin for your farm business future.

Where: Colbinabbin Country Hotel, 18 Mitchell St, Colbinabbin

When: 15 July and 16 July, 8.30 am – 3 pm on day one, 9 am – 3 pm on day two.

Presenter: Dr Kate Burke

Kate is an independent farm consultant who has a PhD and extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture. Her expertise is sought by large corporate enterprises but she most enjoys working with farmers that have a commitment to improvement. Using an evidence-based approach, Kate will guide you towards 'excellent farming'.

Topics include:

• Key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
• Income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
• Calculating basic financial benchmarks
• Understanding your personal appetite for risk
• Understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
• Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
• Scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond.

This event is free.

Participants who complete the two-day course and business plans will be eligible for a free, 45–90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.

Register here

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

The GSSA conference at Bendigo on 17-18 July will offer something for everyone.

The central theme will focus on ‘Evidence Based Decision Making’ and the topics have been built around what farmers need to know.
Delegates will be able to choose from two bus tours.

One to a property north of Bendigo integrating lucerne into a profitable livestock system and one to a higher rainfall perennial pasture property south of Bendigo.

Topics will include:

• Carbon - An informed farmers perspective
• Carbon neutral livestock production - is it possible?
• Soil carbon and fertility
• Measuring and knowing your soil carbon levels
• Old clover identification and sub optimal clover nodulation
• Paddock livestock weighing
• What bugs you?
• Use of drones in agriculture
• Facial livestock recognition
• Remote pasture measurement
• Running lambs on improved varieties of perennial ryegrass vs more persistent Victorian ryegrass - animal responses above yield responses
• N efficiency and endophytes in ryegrass pastures
• Introduction to fertiliser calculator tool.

Click here for more information - 2024 GSSA Annual Conference

The upcoming Irrigation Insights Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, 24 July, and Thursday, 25 July, at the Rich River Golf Club in Moama.

The conference is a collaboration between dairy, grains and cotton with the aim of providing information for profitable and sustainable farm business. Our program features sessions covering the latest research, technological advancements, and sustainable practices.

Conference highlights:

• Exploring marketing and consumer trends - Ron Storey, Storey Marketing
• New technology in weed control - Michael Walsh, Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University
• Latest advances in nitrogen fertiliser - Helen Suter School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne.
• Over the gate - practices and innovation driving on farm productivity Panel - hear what other farmers are implementing to ensure productive sustainable businesses into the future.
• Grain, forage and fodder - mitigating risk of summer crop options (cotton, maize, sorghum) - Kieran O’Keefe Regional Extension Officer, CottonInfo and Yvette Williams, Research and Innovation Coordinator Murray Dairy
• Seeds of hope: The Aussie Hay Runners' Journey - Peter Wuthrich Aussie Hay Runners

The Gala Dinner on the evening of Wednesday 24 July, will commemorate our 25 years of the Irrigation Farmers Network achievements in RD&E. Featuring Renee Anderson, farmer and ag industry advocate as our special guest speaker.

For more information, please click here

Book tickets now 

Looking after your well-being and connecting with others is important in challenging times.

This fun, practical Take a Well-Being Break workshop brings farmers, farming families/couples in your community together to provide well-being tools and information, connect and share ideas, and to identify strategies you can immediately implement to positively impact your well-being.

Join us for an evening workshop on Wednesday 7 August from 6 - 9 pm at Dimboola Bowling Club.

Tickets are $10 with all proceeds being donated to the Rural Outreach Centre.

A light supper will be provided. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements. This is an alcohol-free event.

Date: Wednesday, 7 August from 6 - 9 pm 
Location: Dimboola Bowling Club, 51 Lloyd St, Dimboola

Register here for Take a well-being break workshop at Dimboola.

The workshop is funded by the Farm Business Resilience Program, which is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund & the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund. It's supported by Wimmera Women Connect, Birchip Cropping Group, Hindmarsh Shire & Wimmera Southern Mallee Development.

The Southern Australia Livestock Research Council (SALRC) is excited to announce their third biennial Livestock Conference with the overarching theme of Environmental challenges and opportunities for Australian livestock industries.

Sessions will include keynote speakers and group workshop activities and cover the following:

• improving land, air and water
• solutions for human capacity
• economic considerations and market impacts.

Click here for more information about the upcoming conference.

If you would like to register for conference updates you can join the mailing list here.

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