• Ag Vic contacting land owners near Meredith and Terang
• Avian influenza information pop ups
• Applications for the Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring program are now open!
• Celebrating producers in the Geelong region
• Dry seasonal conditions
• Free financial counselling
• Sign up for winter seasonal outlook webinar
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Agriculture Victoria will be contacting property owners located near the avian influenza affected farms in the Meredith and Terang areas to check in.

Residents in the area may be contacted via phone or text.

We will be asking if you have chickens or other livestock on the property, and about the health of the animals.

Gathering this data helps us to plan our avian influenza response and lift the quarantine measures that are in place as soon as possible.

Be aware of scams. Agriculture Victoria will not ask for financial information or credit card details.

If you have any questions or want to report sick or dead birds, please contact the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

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

Agriculture Victoria will be reaching out to local communities at our pop-up information stalls over the next couple of weeks.

The team will be at:

Bannockburn Central Shopping Centre from 10 am to midday

• Saturday 10 August
• Thursday 15 August
• Saturday 17 August

Terang Co-Op Supa IGA from 11 am to 1 pm

• Friday 9 August
• Friday 16 August

To learn more, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza

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.

Local producers will have the opportunity to showcase Victorian grown products at the Geelong region’s largest dedicated business festival thanks to the Victorian Government’s Regional Activation Grants Program.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced that The Geelong Chamber of Commerce will receive a grant of $50,000 that will see local producers take center stage at the Geelong Small Business Festival.

Now in its 14th year, the Geelong Small Business Festival is attended by over 2,500 people each year, bringing together over 70 small businesses to connect, collaborate and host events.

This grant will help promote and increase awareness of Victorian made food and beverages, providing opportunities for local producers to show off their creations at the festival’s popular launch event.

The event will feature ‘The Paddock’, an immersive experience that highlights the region’s vibrant agribusiness sector. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with producers, sample their unique offerings, and learn about the sustainable practices that make Geelong’s agri-producers stand out.

Producers on show include Ocean Grove cultured butter producer Lard Ass Butter, Irrewarra Sourdough, Geelong Region and Mt Moriac Olives, Meredith Dairy, Bellarine Distillery, and St Albans Park juice maker, Juice Culture.

The Regional Activation Grants Program is part of the Vic Grown initiative which helps get more Victorian produce on even more plates.

To learn more about the Regional Activation Grants Program visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Agriculture Victoria is continuing to monitor and assess seasonal conditions with a focus on south-west Victoria and is delivering tailored services to support farmers.

The following services are available to support farmers.

Farm business support

Technical support, resources and events

Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers to deliver technical information and decision-making support to plan ahead and make informed decisions for managing dry seasonal conditions.

Topics include:

• drought planning
• assessing pasture resources
• measuring feed on offer
• stock containment areas
• tools for making rations.

For information on technical support, contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Upcoming technical events

For information on upcoming online and in-person technical events to manage dry seasonal conditions, check out the Agriculture Victoria events page.

Farm Household Allowance

Farmers in financial hardship may be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Farm Household Allowance (FHA), a fortnightly payment available for up to 4 years in a specific 10-year period.

A rural financial counsellor can help farmers to understand eligibility and apply for the FHA.

Regional Investment Corporation

Farmers may be able to access low-interest loans through the Commonwealth Government’s Regional Investment Corporation (RIC).

A RIC loan is a partnership between the farm business, a commercial lender and the Regional Investment Corporation. Available loans include the Farm Investment Loan and the Drought Loan.

More information about low-interest RIC loans, the application process, eligibility, and terms and conditions are available from the Regional Investment Corporation by calling 1800 875 675, emailing info@ric.gov.au or visiting their website.

For more information on dry seasonal conditions support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

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 rfcsnetwork.com.au or call 1300 771 741.

Join our webinar on Victoria’s seasonal climate outlook for spring.

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

Click here for more information and to stay up to date with our upcoming climate webinars.

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.

Seeking Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) member

The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is a non-statutory committee formed by the Minister for Agriculture to provide expert and strategic advice on animal welfare related issues.

Applicants are required to register an account on the Join a Public Board website (www.boards.vic.gov.au) prior to applying online.

Applications close 11 August 2024.  Find out more 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.

*Webinar 1 -  was held on 7 August.

Webinar 2 – Victoria's spring seasonal outlook with Dale Grey

DATE: Wednesday 14 August

TIME: 12:30 - 1:30 pm

REGISTER HERE

Webinar 3 – Cash flow and finance management with Paul Blackshaw.

DATE: 

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.

DATE: 21 August

TIME: 12:30 - 1: 30 pm

REGISTER HERE

Note - you must register for each individual webinar.

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.

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

Cost is $20 per farmer/farming couple/farming family.

This is an alcohol free event.

DATE: Friday 30  August

TIME: 9 am - 1 pm

WHERE: Soldiers Memorial Hall, 26 Shaw Street, Mortlake

REGISTER HERE

Autumn and winter have been really tough and the outlook for spring is uncertain. How can we prepare our business to respond to whatever eventuates in spring and summer?

DATES AND LOCATIONS

• Lismore - 27 August and 17 September
• Lake Bolac -  28 August and 20 September
• Hamilton - 29 August and 18 September
• Harrow - 30 August and 19 September.

These workshops are free and will be limited to 20 participants per workshop.

Workshop series will explore:

• what pasture growth can be expected, and what this means for carryover feed going into summer
• feed and water budgeting
• making the hard decisions to sell or retain stock
• managing perennial grasses to maximise tiller
• set and keep these tillers alive over summer and sub clover seed set
• opportunities for summer feed options
• ensuring breeders are in the right condition so we don't compromise performance next year
• operating a containment facility that suits your circumstances.

REGISTER HERE.

For more information go to Southern Farming Systems website.

Book your tickets for Food Frontier’s AltProteins 24, set for 10 October 2024 in Melbourne.

This year, we’re taking the experience to new heights with our most ambitious program yet, featuring an expanded lineup of sessions and speakers.

This year’s AltProteins conference, Serving Solutions, will spotlight the latest breakthroughs from industry leaders across Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Brazil, Sweden, Hong Kong, Singapore, Netherlands, and Germany.

Join us as we explore pathways to sustainable food systems and forge pivotal industry and consumer connections, guiding us toward a sustainable food future. 

REGISTER HERE.

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

It's easy – simply click this link.