• Edging towards drenching?
• Beekeeper Matt Lorenz - Farm Business Resilience Program case study
• Victoria’s duck abundance survey about to begin
• Landmark tax ruling - a win for native timber workers
• Italian researcher landing at Tatura SmartFarm to study
• Looking for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) safety resources for your horticulture farm?
• Latest 'The Fast Break' newsletter now available
• Have you reviewed your farm fire plan?
• Funding for AgTech startups
• Apply today! Funding available for irrigation demonstration trials
• Apply for new Future Drought Fund grants to support Aussie farmers
• Dry seasons support
• Free financial counselling with RFCS
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

Is it time to drench? If so, step back and consider a few things.

Worm burdens will vary between different classes of livestock. Therefore, it’s important to first establish what really needs drenching.

In doing so, you may save yourself time and money and reduce the chance of drench-resistance establishing in your herd.

Worm testing by using worm faecal egg counts (FEC) is a way to monitor for the presence of worms and thus the requirement for treatment. It is a useful diagnostic aid in all types of livestock.  

FEC is the process of determining the number of eggs in faeces and is a fast, effective and relatively inexpensive test.    

The test involves the collection of faeces either directly from the rectum of the animal, or by mustering a number of animals into a clean corner of a paddock for approximately ten minutes and then collecting fresh faecal samples from the ground. 

Different mobs may have different FECs so it’s worth having a number of mobs tested.

This particularly applies to your weaners and maiden animals, which have a naturally lower worm resistance and will probably need drenching where the rest of your herd may not. 

If and when you do drench, be sure to give the correct dose and use an effective drench.

FECs can also provide information on how effective treatment has been thus providing information about possible drench resistance.  

For further information visit wormboss.com.au or contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

‘We love beekeeping. We always think about bees... But we sometimes don’t think about business.’

Beekeeper Matt Lorenz signed up to our Farm Business Resilience Program to learn more about being a resilient business in a changing environment.

In this video, Matt talks about how the program showed him what he does really well as a beekeeper but importantly, what he can improve on to be prepared for potential business shocks.

Find out more about our Farm Business Resilience Program here.

Watch the video here.

The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual survey of Victoria’s game duck population on Tuesday, 12 November 2024.

The survey will be conducted by wildlife biologists, who will record the presence, species and number of game ducks at more than 850 waterbodies across Victoria, including wetlands, farm dams, sewerage treatment plants, streams and rivers. The survey will also include ground counts where the helicopter is unable to operate.

Satellite imaging will then be used to determine the amount of wetland habitat available and, together with survey abundance estimates, used to estimate the total abundance of Victoria’s game duck species.

The GMA is continuing this research in 2024 as part of the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-24 and commitment to introducing adaptive harvest management.

GMA Research Principal, Dr Jason Flesch said regularly collecting data is critical to understanding what drives the abundance and productivity of game duck populations.

'Results from this survey will help to accurately estimate total game duck abundance, based on environmental conditions at the time, Dr Flesch said.

'This research benefits wildlife conservation by increasing our understanding of the ecology of Victoria’s game duck populations and the health of their habitats.'

The 2024 survey is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 12 November until Friday, 29 November, inclusive. The flight schedule may change from day to day, depending on weather conditions or other factors.

Residents in surveyed areas may see a helicopter flying at low levels for a short time and for no longer than is necessary. The safety of people and livestock is a priority and disturbance to livestock will be minimised or avoided.

The results of the survey will be published on the GMA website in 2025.

For more information, including a map of the proposed flight path, visit the website.

Native timber workers will get more money in their pockets when they receive support from the Victorian Government, following a landmark class ruling by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence welcomed the ATO’s decision which sets a national precedent in tax treatment for workers receiving redundancy payments.

The ruling means the Victorian Government’s Top-Up Payment provided as part of the Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program can be classed as a genuine redundancy – meaning they now benefit from tax-free and concessional rates.

The Government’s Top-Up Payments have helped 187 workers following the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria.

The ruling also extends tax-free and concessional treatment to casual, piece rate, and seasonal employees who have received Government redundancy payments.

This ensures that all years of service in the native timber industry contribute to an employee’s genuine redundancy payment - recognising the unique employment types in the forestry industry.

The ruling is available on the Australian Tax Office website and provides further details as to how tax will be applied to other Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program payments including Relocation Reimbursement Payments and Hardship Payments.

Employees can take the ruling to their accountant where it can be applied for the current or previous financial years.

This Victorian Government continues to support forestry workers through the transition away from native timber harvesting with a $1.5 billion investment including worker support services and investments to support the transition to plantation timber.

Over 1,400 workers and family members registered for the Worker Support Program which has provided over 3,192 training and education activities approved for workers and family members.

The Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program offers support to eligible native timber employees, supply chain employees, and their families as they navigate the end of native timber harvesting in state forests.

For more information visit, vic.gov.au/forestry or call ForestWorks on 1800 177 001.

Italian agronomist and PhD student, Mirko Pianith (L) and Agriculture Victoria Research Scientist Alessio Scalisi (R) at Agriculture Victoria Tatura SmartFarm.

Italian agronomist and PhD student, Mirko Piani, recently started a 6-month PhD project at the Agriculture Victoria Tatura SmartFarm.

Mirko Piani, from University of Bologna, said he is glad to have started this exciting 6-month journey as he will have the opportunity to both learn and contribute his expertise in precision orchard management.

‘My work will focus on LiDAR-based orchard mapping and data management, collaborating closely with my Australian mentor and AgVic Research Scientist, Alessio Scalisi,’ Mirko said.

‘LiDAR-based orchard mapping and data management involves monitoring tree growth over time to identify areas of the orchard that require variable management.

‘The innovation lies in merging the growth rates computed from the laser scanner with weather data from IoT weather stations.

‘This research aims to fully automate the profiling and mapping of tree growth and understand how the technology can benefit Victorian fruit growers.’

Mirko has a passion for hiking, nature and travel, and hopes to experience all 3 while in Australia.

AgVic Senior Research Scientist Dr Mark O’Connell said AgVic SmartFarms support the agricultural community by undertaking science in dairy, horticulture, grains and livestock farming systems to help support productivity and strengthen Victoria's major agriculture industries.

‘Tatura SmartFarm is all about enabling innovation for the horticulture industry,’ Dr O’Connell said.

‘Our research improves orchard to fruit quality sensing and increases precision and mechanisation and robotics through AgTech that increases the yield and value of pears, apples and stonefruits – helping grow Victoria’s export markets.’

This Farming Safe and Well tip of the week is to share the Fruit Growers Vic safety videos with your workers, available in 9 languages.

Keep an eye out for more safety videos from Fruit Growers Vic coming soon.

Keep yourself, your family, and your workers safe and well – know how to manage the risks.

Visit the website for more information.

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.

A fire plan can help protect your home, livestock and vital farm infrastructure.

It will also help identify what you need to do and when you need to do it in preparation for the upcoming fire season.

Start today by downloading a copy of the Farm Fire Preparedness Toolkit.

The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a $2 million co-investment fund for Victorian AgTech startups run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria.

The fund invests up to $200,000 alongside individual investors, angel groups and early-stage VC’s.

Up to $30,000 of the investment is provided as a grant to the startup, the remainder is taken as equity.

This means founders hold more stake in their company at the early stages.

For more information or to apply click here.

Apply today for funding to trial emerging irrigation technologies and methods on your farm. 

Rebates of up to $30,000 are available for farming businesses in the Lake Wellington catchment, which includes the Latrobe, Narracan, Morwell, Tanjil, Thomson, Macalister and Avon rivers and their tributaries.

Projects should aim to achieve one or more of the following objectives: 

• reduce nutrient runoff from irrigated land 
• manage salinity on irrigated land 
• promote regional economic growth 
• enhance cultural or social values in irrigation communities
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions of irrigation systems.  

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 4 pm Tuesday 26 November 2024. Apply here.

This project is delivered in partnership with West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund is looking for eligible Australian organisations to apply for 2 new grant programs.

These programs will trial innovative solutions with the potential to build the agriculture sector, landscapes and communities’ long-term resilience to drought and climate risks, through transformational change.

The $40 million Resilient Landscapes Program focuses on demonstrating how implementing and scaling of practices, technologies or approaches to manage natural resources on farm, builds drought and climate resilience.

The $40.3 million Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program Round 2 looks at investigating new practices and technologies that will improve productivity in variable weather through evidence-based trials, co-designed with farmers.

Both grant rounds are open to agricultural industries in Australia and will be delivered over 6 years. Applicants must form consortia, that is 2 or more organisations working together to develop and deliver an eligible project.

Applications close on 19 November 2024.

To learn more about the grants and apply, visit:
Resilient Landscapes Grants Program - DAFF and Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants - DAFF

Have you updated your plan for the current seasonal conditions?

Having a solid drought plan can help you with decision making in adverse conditions. 

Check out the dry seasons and drought support on the Agriculture Victoria website today.

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 website or call 1300 771 741.

Avian influenza control area orders updated

Agriculture Victoria has lifted the control area order for Terang that was put in place for the current H7 avian influenza outbreak.

Read the full media release here.

DAMDEEP tool impresses farmers

A simple device for measuring the depth of a farm dam was introduced to landholders at a series of workshops recently.

Read the full media release here.

Calling on startups to solve farm safety challenges

The Victorian Government is calling on startups to help solve farm safety and productivity challenges as part of a new program that aims to harness innovation and the technological knowledge of Victoria’s startup sector.

Read the full media release here.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can be found in one spot on our website. Visit the Events page to keep in touch with upcoming events.

The Carbon Farming Outreach Program gets underway this month and is open to all Victorian farmers.

The program assists farmers and land managers to understand and make informed decisions on carbon farming, including:  

• the fundamentals of carbon farming  
• sources of emissions and options to reduce emissions and store carbon
• how to determine your emissions profile 
• understanding and navigating carbon credit markets. 

Hosted by Catchment Management Authorities, these sessions will share the latest information about carbon farming. 

• Farm emissions – the ins and outs with Cam Nicholson - 13 November, Avenel

For more information and to register for updates, visit the Carbon Farming Outreach Program page on our website.

This program is delivered with funding from the Commonwealth of Australia as part of the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program.

Calling horticulture businesses and commercial beekeepers - join our upcoming Business Skills for the Future workshops in Healesville.

Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting will cover topics such as profitable decision making, cash flow budgeting, understanding key business performance ratios, succession planning and more. 

When: Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 November, 
from 9:30 am to 3 pm 

Where: Healesville RSL.

Register here.

Join VFF Stock Sense for a free informative session on Farm Safety and Stock Handling.

Network with fellow farmers and gain valuable knowledge to enhance the safety and operations of your farm.

When: Friday 15 November

Where: 981 Grantville-Glen Alvie Road, Almurta.

Register here.

GRDC Farm Business Event, online – Planning forward on reduced seasonal returns: Friday 8 November, 1–2 pm

GRDC Grains Research Update, online – Best practice soil testing for the Southern Region: Wednesday 13 November, 1–1:45 pm

GRDC Grains Research Update, online – Strategies for Predicta B testing: Wednesday 20 November, 1–1:45 pm

For more information or to register for any of these events click here.

When: Thursday 14 November, 10 am - 1 pm 

Register here.

Come along to James Clyne’s farm in Newry to find out how he was able to get VRI to reduce water wastage and increase pasture production on his undulating centre pivot irrigated paddock. Free BBQ lunch provided.

Regional Victoria’s showcase on AI in industry.

Learn how AI and the latest cutting-edge technologies can help transform and revolutionise your business. 

Join us at Regional Development Australia Melbourne’s (RDAM) upcoming Artificial Intelligence Forum, to be held in Bendigo on 15 November. 

This forum will highlight the importance of understanding and harnessing these innovative technology solutions, their benefits and practical applications in business, as well as address concerns surrounding risk, compliance, and legislation of AI in industry.  

For early adopters of AI or for businesses starting to explore the space, the forum will inform, showcase, and inspire. 

Showcasing demonstrations of real-world adoption of AI and digital innovation, we will talk to and hear insights from industry leaders and businesses driving productivity and innovation through the integration of AI.   

With keynotes, panel discussion and collaborative conversation, this will be a platform to connect and explore the array of opportunities in AI businesses are undertaking in regional areas and beyond. 

Speakers include:

• Simon Wilson, CEO Founder of Australian Regional AI Network and CEO of RegGrid
• Jannat Maqbool, Manager of Industry Programs at ARM AI Adopt Centre. Jannat has 25 years of experience in IoT and smart cities, financial services innovation, digital engineering, and AI, across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, and is actively engaged in the technology ecosystem.

Case study presenters/demonstrators include:

• Stef Cola, Director of Engineering at CultureAmp, and founder of Ligantic  (Innovative chat tool powered by AI)
• Briana Cowan, founder of Mingle Media, runs workshops on leveraging AI to boost productivity in business
• Edward Barraclough, founder of Drone-Hand, autonomous livestock and total property monitoring

Tickets are available here.

When: Monday 11 to Friday 15 November, 9:30 am - 5 pm

Where: Bairnsdale. 

Register here.

Novice training - this is a 5-day practical shearing course for new entrant shearers to learn the skills required to be a professional shearer.

When: Tuesday 19 November, 10 am - 1 pm

Where: Newry (address provided after registration). 

Register here.

The Newry Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration project aims to better understand how dairy farmers can profitably produce milk while accumulating carbon in the soil, and to better understand what is needed to enhance microbial life in the soil.

Farm hosts Peter Neaves and Kate Mirams will share their journey over the last five years, including:

• Multi species (annuals to perennials) vs Ryegrass and clover (annuals to perennials)
• Comparison of plant root depth and water use
• Encouraging soil microbiology
• Seed treatment
• Using microbe friendly nutrients with a Tow and Fert
• Taking the system to the whole farm impact on t DM harvested, kg N/ha use and $/ha fert spend.

David Huggins from Huggins Nutritional Services will discuss:

• Corrective nutrient applications what and why
• Soil drench and foliar nutrients
• Using total and available nutrient soil tests - results on Multi Species and Ryegrass
• Plant tissue test results on Multi Species and Ryegrass
• Using a penetrometer, brix meter, micro-biometer and other methods to assess soil health.

Rick Blackshaw from Gippsland Ag Group will take deep soil cores on the day and talk through visual soil assessment.

When: Wednesday 4 December, 9:30 am - 1 pm 
Where: Gippsland Agricultural Group, 345 Bengworden Rd, Bairnsdale. 

Register here.

Look at the trial site pasture comparisons and discuss suitability for your region. We get a snapshot of what complementary crops have worked for some farmers. Then wrap up with shared experience on how to get the best out of Kikuyu and Rye grass seasonality.

Enjoying the Gippsland Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.

It's easy – simply click this link.

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.