In this edition

• Bird owners urged to remain vigilant
• Dry season spring webinar series
• Applications open for Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
• Choosing the best feed this winter
• Grant to support Murray Food and Drink Showcase
• Applications for the Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring program are now open!
• Dairy farmers use of antibiotics survey
• Celebrating the best of Victoria this Melbourne Show
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• 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

Meat and wool producers are invited to our spring webinar series. This free webinar series will cover the issues confronting many of you this season. You are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions.

WORKSHOP SERIES

Webinar 2 – Victoria’s spring seasonal outlook

Date: Wednesday 14 August

Time: 12 – 1 pm

To register click here

Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey will discuss recent seasonal conditions including rainfall, temperature and deep soil moisture levels across the state.

We will look at what the latest global models are forecasting for spring.

Climate Specialist Graeme Anderson will discuss current seasonal risks and help bust some common myths around forecasts.

Information on dry season support will also be available.

Webinar 3 – Cash flow and finance management

Date: Wednesday 21 August

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm

To register click here

Join Paul Blackshaw, farm business consultant with Meridian Agriculture.

Paul has vast experience working with farmers through tight seasons and has many valuable lessons to share.

More information

The sessions will run for about an hour with time to answer some questions at the end. 

Webinars will be recorded and shared. 

If you have any questions, please contact workshop coordinator
Hannah Manning on 0400 532 595 or at hannah.manning@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is seeking expressions of interest for the position of member of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), for a term of up to three years.

AWAC is a non–statutory ministerial advisory committee, whose primary role and function is to advise the Minister for Agriculture on matters concerned with animal welfare in Victoria.

Applications close Sunday, 11 August 2024. 

Find out more and apply here. 

When choosing the best feed to purchase for sheep or cattle, there are a few things to take into account – especially when feeding over winter.

What to feed
In this short video, Livestock Officer Nick Linden looks at the key considerations in choosing supplements for stock by calculating their requirements and the energy density of feed against its cost.

Watch it here.

Costing out your feeds
Am I better off feeding grain or hay? And what is the cost?
In this video, Livestock Officer Nick Linden looks at the calculations to use to make sure what you’re feeding to your animals is the most cost-effective option.

Watch it here.

The Victorian Government is supporting Victorian food and drink producers of the Murray region to showcase their high-quality, local products across two brand new events in Yarrawonga and Echuca.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $69,300 for the Murray Regional Tourism Board to go towards the Murray Food and Drink Showcase.

The showcase includes two events held in partnership with the Moira and Campaspe shire councils on 10 August in Yarrawonga and 24 August in Echuca.

Each event will feature a range of local producers displaying their world class products to the community and to the visitors to the region.

Producers showcasing at the event include the Katamatite micro dairy farm How Now Dairy, Echuca native botanicals business Talara and Yarrawonga freeze-dry foods business TT's Harvest.

Also attending will be the renowned Rushworth olive oil producer Lisadurne Hill, and Numurkah gourmet pantry product producer The Olde Creamery.

Guests will also have an opportunity to taste canapés and locally produced non-alcoholic drinks such as juice and cordials, while watching talented local musicians perform.

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.

All rural and regional based women working across the agriculture supply chain are encouraged to apply for the Rural Women's Network Leadership program.

This program is being delivered by LeadershipVic over two residential retreats and aims to develop and empower women as leaders and change makers in their careers and in their communities.

All study and accommodation costs to participate in the program are covered, with additional capped allowances for childcare and travel provided to those who require this support. 

Applications close 2 September 2024.

Click here for more information.

Dairy farmers are invited to participate in a University of Melbourne survey about the responsible use of antibiotics.

The information and opinions you provide will help researchers to develop ways of measuring and reporting antibiotic use that are meaningful and useful to livestock producers.

Complete the survey here.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world are expected to visit the Melbourne Royal Show this September and experience the best agriculture, food, and entertainment Victoria has to offer.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence joined Melbourne Royal President and Chair Matt Coleman and Chief Executive Brad Jenkins today to launch Victoria’s largest and most iconic annual community event.

Running from Thursday 26 September to Sunday 6 October, the show provides a unique and valuable opportunity to promote and celebrate the diversity of the Victorian agricultural industry alongside plenty of exciting activities and entertainment for all ages to enjoy.

This year’s show received a $40,000 sponsorship from Agriculture Victoria to promote initiatives that reinforce positive biosecurity measures that underpin our world class food and fibre products.

The show includes exhibitions of animals and agriculture, award-winning food and beverage experiences, arts and crafts, along with carnival rides, showbags and live entertainment.

It also will provide plenty of educational opportunities aimed at children that help explain and build a connection with rural living.

Last year’s show saw more than 450,000 people pass through the gates over the 11 days, providing an estimated total economic benefit of over $220 million to the state.

The Victorian Government also offers support to the state’s many other agricultural shows through the $300,000 Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program.

The grants go towards projects that help encourage community involvement in Agricultural Shows.

2024 Melbourne Royal Show tickets are now available to purchase. To buy tickets today or to learn more about the activities on offer visit royalshow.com.au

Victoria’s bounty collections continue.

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.

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.

Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey will discuss the recent seasonal conditions and look at what the latest global models are forecasting for spring. 

Climate Specialist Graeme Anderson will join Dale to delve deeper into the current seasonal risks and help bust some common myths around making sense of forecasts.

When: Wednesday 14 August – 12 pm 

Register here 

For more information and to stay up to date with our upcoming climate webinars visit our website

You are invited to join Agriculture Victoria, AgBiz Assist and NSW Murray Local Land Services (LLS) for a catch-up on animal health, livestock nutrition and farm business.

Dr Kate Rowe, Agriculture Victoria District Veterinary Officer, will provide an update on animal health challenges now and into spring.

Other Agriculture Victoria specialists will provide information and guides for managing livestock through winter.

Rural financial counsellors from AgBiz Assist will be available for discussions.

Rebecca Stacey, NSW Murray LLS Senior Land Services Officer, will discuss animal nutrition requirements and feeding considerations. 

Date: Wednesday 14 August

Time: 11 am – 2 pm

Where: Corryong FC Rooms, Strzelecki Way, Corryong.

Program includes

• all things animal health
• all things feeding of livestock
• update on Farm Household Allowance
• take time to catch up with other farmers
• staff will be available after lunch for informal discussions on your specific questions.

Registration
Light refreshments, including lunch, will be provided.

To assist catering needs, please register by clicking on this link.

For more information or experience difficulties registering, please contact Kylie Macreadie at Agriculture Victoria on 0427 052 352 or kylie.macreadie@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Visit our Tatura SmartFarm where Australia’s two largest R&D programs into profitable, modern and sustainable orchard systems are underway for apple and pears.

Come and hear from, and talk over with, the R&D with researchers from across Australia and local growers involved in these projects on Wednesday 21 August starting at 2:30 pm.

Orchard walk and talks only! Beanies, coats and boots are a must!

Finish the afternoon in the warmth of indoors with some final displays and short talks over a social drink and nibblies at around 5:30 pm.

Easy to attend – no registration necessary!

For more information call Alessio Scalisi 0490 869 655.

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.

74th Australasian Grain Science Conference – Innovations in Grain Science

When: 20 – 22 August 

Where: Collins Square, Docklands, Melbourne.

The Australasian Grain Science Association (AGSA) holds an annual conference for grain scientists, post-graduate students, nutritionists, and others with an interest in grain science.

The aim is to advance knowledge and understanding of grain science and the grains industry. This meeting is an opportunity for the grains industry to openly discuss the latest innovations in grains research.

This year, the conference will be held in Australia’s café capital, Melbourne. #AGSA24 will cover a range of topics including:

• latest developments in science and technology
• commercialisation of science
• food nutrition from grains and byproducts
• plant-based products
• advances in crop adaptation in variable climates.

To register click here

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 practical strategies you can immediately implement to positively impact your well-being.

When and where: 5 September from 10 am to 2 pm at Parkland Golf Club, 12 Racecourse Road, Kyabram.

Tickets are $20 with all proceeds to be donated to the Country Women's Association.

Lunch is provided.

Please note this is an alcohol-free event.

Register now

Give yourself the time and space to bring some calm to the chaos and focus on YOU!

Topics include:

• irrigated varieties - canola, barley, wheat and faba beans
• responding flexibly to climate and in-season weather
• de-risking seeding with a focus on irrigation management, maintaining healthy, fertile systems utilising rotations, summer grains, sustainable annual fodder rotations, and sowing rates and timings for barley and faba beans
• seed company representatives discussing the latest irrigated varieties.

Where and when: 407 Kerang-Koondrook Road, Kerang at 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Morning tea and BBQ lunch are provided.

Tickets

• IFN members free
• non members $55

To register and buy tickets click here

For more information call 0447 803 305 or visit the IFN website

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