In this edition

• Edging towards drenching?
• The latest The Fast Break newsletter is now available
• Italian researcher landing at Tatura SmartFarm to study
• Fruit Growers Victoria horticulture safety videos now available
• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• Victoria’s duck abundance survey about to begin
• Have you reviewed your farm fire plan?
• Bee business training video now available
• Landmark tax ruling – a win for native timber workers
• WorkSafe – cattle crush information
• Apply for new Future Drought Fund grants to support Aussie farmers
• In case you missed it (ICYMI)
• Dry seasons webinar recordings available here
• 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, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

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.

Above left to right: PhD student, Mirko Piani and AgVic Research Scientist, Alessio Scalisi

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.’

Looking for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) safety resources for your horticulture farm? 

This farm safe and well video from Fruit Growers Vic is for all horticulture workers, and 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. 

See Fruit Growers Vic safety videos here.

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 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, 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 available here.

‘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.

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 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 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 offer 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.

Attention dairy and cattle farmers.

WorkSafe have worked with industry to develop new cattle crush safety guidance.

We want to keep everyone safe when handling cattle.

Find out more: worksafe.vic.gov.au/safe-cattle-yards-crushes

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.

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

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.

Caring for your stock in dry seasonal conditions

One way to help manage your stock during dry seasonal conditions is with the use of a stock containment area (SCA).

Read the full media release here.

Webinar recording: Are you pinkeye ready?

Hear from pinkeye researcher Mac Kneipp about the current understanding of pinkeye, key preventative strategies and optimising treatment outcomes.

Watch the recording here.

The recording of the recent webinar ‘Growing more feed’ with Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Fiona Baker - can be found HERE

Additionally, here are some resources that you might find useful. 

Feeding livestock website feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au

Agriculture Victoria dry season and drought support page  Dry seasons and drought support | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria

Soil Moisture monitoring sites can be found HERE

Information on navigating farm developments online tool can be found HERE

An MLA guide to managing breeding ewes in containment can be found HERE

Stock containment areas design webinar can be found 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.

This practical workshop will help you identify and assess native pastures and decide what action to take to optimise pasture growth, quality and sustainability.

The day is hosted by the Springhurst and Byawatha Hills Landcare Group.

The workshop will help you:

• learn about the different native pasture grasses and their grazing characteristics
• understand a range of benefits in managing paddocks to enhance native pastures
• use specific techniques to estimate feed availability
• use grazing management to improve productivity and persistence of pastures and reduce weeds
• reduce your cost of production by more targeted use of fertilisers, reduced use of herbicides and reduced need for re-sowing.

Presenter Lisa Warn has worked extensively in pasture management and systems with knowledge of our local area.

Workshop format
Morning workshop on-farm. Mix of technical information, practical exercises and group discussions.

Cost: This is a free event but registration is essential.

Funded by Agriculture Victoria’s Farm Business Resilience program and Victorian Landcare Grants program.

If you like, bring some lunch and we will have tea and coffee available at 12:30 pm.

When: Wednesday, 13 November from 10 am to 12:30 pm.

Location: Corner of Campbells Road and Nankervis Road, Byawatha. (signs up on the day)

Registration: Places limited, so please register by Friday 8 November. 

To register click here or contact Jim Blackney on 0459 622 260 or at facilitatormolc@gmail.com

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

This training is intended for those already working in industry and have experience in shearing.

Limited spots available, please register your interest for the course.

Fully funded by AWI and available for participants that meet certain criteria, please register your interest for the course.

If you are interested in attending any of the above courses, please contact ghaynes@swti.edu.au

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

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.

Upcoming events

• Farm emissions – the ins and outs with Cam Nicholson - 13 November, Avenel
• Farm emissions – the ins and outs with Cam Nicholson - 14 November, Tatura.

Targeted to livestock producers, this is an introductory event discussion carbon farming, farm emission sources and emissions intensity.

Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural Services is a farmer, agronomist and industry advisor. Cam has exceptional knowledge and experience of carbon farming.

Cam’s insights into supply chains and the practicalities for livestock farmers mean he is one of the best presenters on this subject. Cam has the tips on how to improve your productivity and the positive relationship this has with emissions intensity.

This is a free event. Morning tea and lunch provided. 

Register here

This event is part of the Carbon Farming Outreach Program (CFOP).

The program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 catchment management authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.

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.

For more information or for tickets click here

Business EDGE is a two-day workshop designed to enhance producer knowledge and skills in basic financial and business management to improve business efficiency and profitability.

Attending this Benalla workshop will help you to:

• develop your financial knowledge and business understanding
• understand where your business is performing well and where it can be improved
• better understand how your decisions impact the bottom line of your business
• determine if your business can fund future growth, debt reduction, retirement and succession
• ensure everyone in your business is on the same page
• join a group of like-minded producers and equip yourself to improve your business skills.

Presenters - Paul Blackshaw and Bryony Fitzgerald, farm business consultants at Meridian Agriculture, a broad-based agricultural consultancy focused on improving farm business performance.

When: Wednesday and Thursday, 20 - 21 November, from 8:30 am to 5 pm both days.

Where: Benalla, location when you register.

Cost - $262.50*pp + GST (usually $1,750pp + GST).

*Discounted prices are possible thanks to support from Agriculture Victoria’s Farm Business Resilience program funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Cost includes a comprehensive set of workshop notes, workbook, decision support spreadsheet tools and catering.

Register now for Business EDGE

Registrations close 11 November. Places are limited. For more information contact Meridian Agriculture (03) 5341 6100 or at info@meridian-ag.com.au

Join Neil James and Clem Sturmfels Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officers for breakfast and a discussion about managing farm dams in a difficult season.

TOPICS:

• Rainfall and runoff update
• Dam volume calculations
• How long will my water last?
• Management strategies.

BRING - Outdoor event; suitable clothing required, bring a chair

Wednesday 20 November, 8 to10 am

Navarre Recreation Reserve
47 Cambridge Street, Navarre 

Register here

GRDC Grains Research Update, online – Best practice soil testing for the Southern Region

13 November
1 –1:45 pm

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

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

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