|
|
|
| Biosecurity basics covered in new podcast season |
|
|
|
We all play a role in keeping Victoria safe from biosecurity risks.
To help all Victorians play their role, Agriculture Victoria’s new podcast season Biosecurity Basics takes a deep dive into the fundamentals of biosecurity, including practical things listeners can put in place to play their part in protecting our animals and environment.
Program Manager Emergency Animal Disease Industry Engagement, Kellyanne Harris, said listeners will hear from people engaged in biosecurity.
‘It doesn't matter how many animals you have, how big or small your property is, biosecurity is everyone's business,’ Ms Harris said.
‘Every livestock owner or person living on a small or lifestyle farm can make changes today to improve their biosecurity and help protect their property from pests and diseases.
‘Created in collaboration with RSPCA Victoria, the new AgVic Talk series features experts from RSPCA Victoria and Agriculture Victoria as well as farmers who share their knowledge on how people can build biosecurity into their day-to-day farming practices.’
In episode one, Erica Smith from Glenstrae Highlands talks about how she went about introducing some basic biosecurity practices when setting up her property in Gippsland.
In episode two, Brett Davidson from Agriculture Victoria and Rachael Laukart from RSPCA Victoria cover how both agencies are helping producers manage risk and improve their biosecurity practices.
‘Listeners will receive advice on what to include in a biosecurity plan, the importance of Property Identification Codes (PICs) and where to go for tips and advice about biosecurity practices and steps you can take on farm,’ Ms Harris said.
You can subscribe and listen to Biosecurity Basics on AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts:
You can find out more and listen to other AgVic Talk episodes at agriculture.vic.gov.au/agvictalk
To find out more about Agriculture Victoria’s work on managing biosecurity in Victoria, visit the website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity
|
|
|
| Calf health – the future of your herd |
|
|
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
In mid-March Wodonga was host to the Australian Cattle Veterinarians Annual Conference.
This two-day annual event attracts over 150 cattle veterinarians from across Australia. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘The Next Level’, signifying the state of art material being presented.
Australia is fortunate to have well renowned cattle veterinarians who are pleased to share their knowledge.
A presentation by keynote speaker, Dr Sam Barringer from the United States covered respiratory disease in calves and its diagnosis.
Like many of the conference presentations, Dr Barringer built upon the basics that respiratory disease in calves is caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria that work together in causing disease in calves.
Affected calves are likely to have predisposing factors such as inadequate colostrum intake and poor health, and environmental factors such as poor hygiene, overcrowding, poor air quality, and a lack of shelter.
Even if the calf recovers, an affected calf will generally have poor weight gain, an increased age at which it reaches maturity, an increased age at first calving, decreased milk production, and an increased chance of early culling.
The state of art technology presented was the use of ultrasound in diagnosing the calves which have respiratory disease.
Generally, calves that show the clinical signs of respiratory disease are severely affected and if not treated early will always suffer a set back from their early illness. Interestingly, through ultrasound a proportion of calves that appear clinically normal will also be found to have respiratory disease.
It would be reasonable to ask, ‘Why don’t those calves appear to be sick?’ The likely reason goes right back to the fact that cattle were animals of prey.
If they appeared sick, they were more likely to be hunted, therefore for survival they had an evolutionary advantage in appearing healthy for as long as possible.
With the advances of technology that producers now have access to, they are in a stronger position to make better herd-health decisions.
|
|
|
| Interstate used grain machinery must meet Victorian biosecurity laws |
|
|
|
Jim Moran, Victorian Grains Industry Biosecurity Officer, Agriculture Victoria
Importing second hand farm machinery such as tractors, seeders, sprayers, harvesters, baling or storage equipment from interstate can provide an alternative to buying brand new.
However, there are a few matters to consider before you buy.
Besides the costs of the machine and its transport, there are other costs involved in ensuring the machine meets Victorian biosecurity legislation (Plant Biosecurity Act 2010) and the Conditions of entry described in the Victorian Plant Biosecurity Manual.
Used agricultural equipment and spare parts could pose a high risk to Victoria’s unique environment and agricultural industries.
Given the nature of their work, there is a high possibility used machinery could harbor weeds, pests and diseases that we don’t want in Victoria.
Therefore, unless they meet specific conditions of entry outlined in the Plant Quarantine Manual (PQM), they are prohibited from entry.
For example, Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) is not in Victoria. ARGT host material includes cereal crops, first cut lucerne, pasture hay, stock feed or plant waste and could be located anywhere in WA, SA or NSW.
Any machinery from these states must meet the specific conditions of entry to minimise any risk of introducing ARGT into Victoria.
Equally, Victoria is free from the fungal disease, Lupin Anthracnose (LA). Important lupin growing states like SA and WA don’t have area freedom from LA and therefore, restrictions apply to the importation of machinery into Victoria from there.
These (and other) biosecurity risks are carried in soil, animal or plant material found on or inside used farm machinery. Therefore, they must be thoroughly cleaned, free of plant material and visible soil, and inspected by a government officer.
A Plant Health Certificate must then be issued before movement into Victoria.
There are costs and time involved with such a thorough clean, often requiring the partial dismantling of the machine or equipment to access all the hidden away, hard to get at areas.
For example, debris is commonly found collecting in the driver’s cabin, on the chassis, in the grain bin, augers, belts, elevators, spreaders, choppers, tyres, rims, sieves, radiator and under any guards.
Always check early with an Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officer before you sign up to import a used farm machine into Victoria.
The import prohibition doesn’t apply if the host material is grown on, sourced from or last used on a property that is located in a state or territory for which area freedom exists.
In the case of LA, this exemption currently applies for QLD, NSW, TAS and the NT, meaning the unrestricted importation of LA host material from these locations is allowed (provided no other quarantine restrictions apply).
Currently QLD, TAS and NT have state freedom for ARGT so no permit or PHC is required for machinery from these states.
Tips for buyers:
-
It’s the importer’s responsibility to ensure all imported, used agricultural equipment is thoroughly clean prior to export and a PHC is obtained. The cost of dismantling, cleaning, and certifying a grain harvester sometimes totalling over $10,000
-
Used agricultural equipment found to be unacceptably contaminated on arrival will be re-exported or subjected to an expensive cleaning process at the expense of the new owner
-
Use an experienced machinery dealer who regularly imports from other states. Different dealers offer varying support and services in the price they quote
-
Don’t get stuck with a dirty machine. It’s a massive biosecurity risk to your farm and the grains industry. If it doesn’t arrive clean, you will have to clean it before using it
-
Practical and inexpensive farm biosecurity tactics are found at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au and www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity
-
The Grains Farm Biosecurity Manual is found here: grainsbiosecurity.com.au/resources/biosecurity-manual-for-grain-producers/
-
Please contact Agriculture Victoria on 136186 for any biosecurity related matters.
|
|
|
| 2024 crop disease guides available online |
|
|
|
Farmers can now download the 2024 editions of the cereal and pulse disease guides to help make informed decisions around disease management.
Agriculture Victoria’s plant pathology research leader Dr Joshua Fanning said the release of the updated disease guides complements advice from Agriculture Victoria on disease management activities.
‘The 2024 Cereal Disease Guide and 2024 Pulse Disease Guide rank susceptibility of new and commonly grown grains such as wheat, barley, oats, lentils, faba bean and chickpea.
‘Growers should consult the current guides for the latest ratings and definitions to plan disease management activities to prevent yield losses this season.’
‘Disease ratings are the first and most important step in managing disease so it’s important to understand the latest resistance ratings of varieties.
‘In susceptible varieties disease can develop quickly and require greater management. Particularly diseases like stripe rust and Septoria in wheat, net blotches in barley and botrytis in pulses which have been of concern over the last few years.’ Dr Fanning said.
Dr Hari Dadu, Agriculture Victoria cereal pathologist, said a particular concern in cereals in 2024 is the emergence of fungicide resistance to Fluxapyroxad (Systiva®, Group 7) in barley net form net blotch.
‘In addition to this new resistance in Victoria we have resistance to multiple fungicide groups, including some triazole (DMI, Group 3) and strobilurin (Qol, Group 11) fungicides in wheat powdery mildew, and some triazole fungicides in barley net form net blotch.’
‘To reduce the chances of fungicide resistance continuing to develop, integrated disease management is required, including growing resistant varieties, avoiding growing the same crop in succession, spraying fungicides only when required and rotating fungicide groups,’ Dr Dadu said.
The 2024 Cereal Disease Guide and 2024 Pulse Disease Guide are available on the Agriculture Victoria website and from AppleBooks.
The guides are produced with support from Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and provide updated disease ratings and advice on reducing disease risk for the 2024 season.
|
|
|
| Episode 6: Many ways to repair with Bianca Jones and Anna McGee |
|
|
|
Rebuilding and recovering when your livelihood has been washed away overnight is hard.
However, some remarkable people and organisations lending a helping hand make sure you are not alone.
Bianca Jones, a Central Victorian farmer, shares her story of repair and the ‘angels’ that helped following the 2022 floods.
One such organisation was the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Anna McGee, Rural Finance Counsellor, explains how they reached out to farmers not long after the floods peaked.
Listen via the AgVic website.
|
|
|
| 2024 Gippsland Food and Fibre awards - applications close Sunday |
|
|
|
The Gippsland Food and Fibre Awards are a region-based awards program to recognise, celebrate and reward excellence in collaboration and innovation.
Premier Awards
-
Overall Gippsland Agribusiness of the Year (all entries)
-
Young Agribusiness Leader of the Year
-
Female Agribusiness Leader of the Year.
Category Awards
-
Excellence In Collaborative Partnerships
-
Innovation
-
Sustainability
-
Adaption To Change
-
Service to the Food and Fibre Industry.
Applications close Sunday 14 April.
Find out more here.
|
|
|
| Advance your career with a Farming and Agriculture Sector women’s leadership scholarship |
|
|
|
Partial scholarships of $1,000 - $5,000 are available to help women in select industries participate in our world-class leadership courses.
Courses are available for women at all levels.
Apply by Friday 26 April 2024.
Enquire at Farming and Agriculture - Women & Leadership Australia or call 1300 938 571.
|
|
|
| AgTech Innovators season 2, episode 5: Cultivating success for AgTech with Paul Voutier |
|
|
|
Building a startup and cultivating success.
Discover how Ambit Robotics is using generative AI imaging to help growers understand prospective yields and improve production.
Paul Voutier shares valuable insights about using robotics in agriculture in this episode of AgTech Innovators.
Listen online via the AgVic website.
|
|
|
| Fox and wild dog bounty has resumed |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
| Free financial counselling with RFCS |
|
|
|
Have you been impacted by recent floods, storms, fires or dry seasonal conditions?
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 visit the Rural Financial Counselling Service website or call 1300 771 741.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EOI for on-farm demonstration opportunity – now open
Is there a technology, innovation or research finding that your producer group is keen to test on-farm?
Agriculture Victoria, in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), is conducting a new producer demonstration program with the opportunity to establish five new on-farm demonstration projects.
Read the full media release here.
|
|
|
Churchill Fellowships 2024 open now
Churchill Fellowships for 2024 opened on 1 March, offering people the opportunity to travel overseas for four to eight weeks to explore a topic or issue that they’re passionate about, and come back and share knowledge to improve their community.
Applications close 1 May at 5 pm.
Read more here.
|
|
|
|
|
Details about Agriculture Victoria events can be found in one spot on our website. Log on to the Events page to keep in touch with upcoming events.
|
|
|
| Victoria's seasonal climate outlook and soil moisture update for autumn |
|
|
|
Join our webinar to hear from experts Dale Grey and Dale Boyd on Victoria’s seasonal climate outlook and soil moisture update for autumn.
Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey will provide an update on Victoria’s climate outlook for autumn and soil moisture expert Dale Boyd will provide key highlights from monitoring sites from around the state.
When: Wednesday 17 April – 12 pm
Register here.
For more information and to stay up to date with our upcoming climate webinars visit our website.
|
|
|
|
Come along and participate in an interactive day, discussing all things farming.
Kallan and Lucy manage a 1000 cow dairy farm at Winnindo. They are supported with a roster of staff, as well as having a hands on farm owner. Attendees will discuss anything from managing the herd, and calving/rearing calves, all the way through to pasture and water management and cropping.
When: Wednesday 17 April - 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Winnindo. Farm address will be provided after registration.
Register here.
|
|
|
|
|
When: Wednesday 17 April – Friday 19 April - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Wednesday and Thursday) and 8:30 am to 4 pm (Friday).
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds.
An exhibition, sales and networking opportunity for suppliers of agricultural and agro-industrial products, services and technology serving the markets of Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific. Manufacturers, producers, importers and distributors of products and services related to agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural, livestock processes.
Find out more here.
|
|
|
| Managing your career and employing labour - Dr Nollaig Heffernan |
|
|
When: Tuesday 30 April - 10:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Morwell Bowling Club, 52 Hazelwood Road, Morwell.
Register here.
Join GippsDairy for an interactive session with Dr Nollaig Heffernan.
Dr Heffernan, a well-known Independent Management Consultant from Ireland, specialises in leadership and organisational psychology.
Dr Heffernan's dual discipline background has been invaluable in helping companies and organisations to improve their performance through both their processes and their people.
In this session, attendees will cover a combination of what it means to employ staff and staff retention, as well as information on how you can manage your career.
|
|
|
| Farm environmental tracker workshop |
|
|
GippsDairy, in partnership with Saputo, is running a series of workshops to deliver the Farm Environmental Tracker tool.
This program assists farmers to understand, benchmark and action improvement on their farms environmental performance by covering a range of topics from animals to energy to effluent and biodiversity.
When: Thursday 2 May, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank.
Register here.
|
|
|
| Dairy innovation open day |
|
|
Discover the future of farming at the Dairy Innovation Open Day, hosted at Agriculture Victoria's Ellinbank Research Farm.
Immerse yourself in the latest state-of-the-art research focused on farmers, and learn about animal feeding and nutrition, soil and pasture management, and on-farm climate adaptation from the experts themselves.
Not only will you gain invaluable knowledge, but you'll also have the opportunity to connect with other farmers, industry professionals, and suppliers.
When: Thursday 9 May, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank.
Register here.
|
|
|
|
The 2024 Landcare forum will take place on Wednesday 8, Thursday 9 and Friday 10 May in Bendigo.
Find out more here.
|
|
|
| Best Wool/Best Lamb and BetterBeef industry conference and dinner |
|
|
|
Save the date!
The Best Wool/Best Lamb and BetterBeef conference will be held over 2 days, 19 and 20 June in Ballarat.
Further details to come.
|
|
|
| Southern Australia Livestock Research Council Livestock Conference |
|
|
|
Livestock 2024 is the third biennial conference delivered by SALRC. This year's theme is environmental challenges and opportunities for Australian livestock industries.
Location: Atura Hotel, Albury NSW.
Date: Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 August.
Tickets on sale soon.
Click here to register for conference updates.
|
|
|
|
|
Enjoying the Gippsland Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.
It's easy – simply click this link.
|
|
|
| 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.
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/contact-us
Don't forget to check out Agriculture Victoria's social media sites for up-to-date information and news.
|
|
|
|
|
|
