• Bird owners urged to remain vigilant
• Protect your paddocks with a stock containment area
• Avian influenza response continues in Victoria
• Take part in our livestock predation survey
• Farm forestry program gets a green boost
• Biosecurity Basics – episode 11
• Choosing the best feed this winter
• Dairy farmers use of antibiotics survey
• Dry seasons and drought support
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• Free financial counselling with RFCS
• In case you missed it
• 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

Farmers are encouraged to consider containment feeding to protect pastures and paddocks from soil erosion over the next few months.

Land Management Extension Officer, Clem Sturmfels said paddocks with depleted pasture cover are susceptible to damage. Those most at-risk are on sloping ground and with a sandy topsoil.

‘Once pasture cover drops below 70 – 80%, damage to soil can occur. This damage can be wind erosion, sheet erosion, soil structure decline or a combination of all three,’ said Mr Sturmfels.

‘Continued overgrazing will also significantly damage pastures, resulting in reduced plant density and vigour.

‘Placing animals in a stock containment area (SCA) is the ideal way to protect paddocks in a dry season when ground cover has diminished,’ said Mr Sturmfels.

‘Setting up an SCA requires careful planning and design to make them efficient and easier to operate.’

Containment areas should allow two to five square metres per sheep and 10 to 15 square metres per cattle. Good fencing, appropriate subdivision to separate different classes of livestock, and water troughs with a reliable water supply are also required.

‘Managing livestock in a SCA is a significant commitment and requires daily monitoring and maintenance to ensure the nutritional, water and health needs of stock are met,’ added Mr Sturmfels.

Farmers looking for alternate options to protect their paddocks from soil erosion, could consider using a sacrifice paddock or a laneway as a temporary SCA, to restrict damage to a smaller area of the farm.

Farmers are advised to check with a local Council Planning Officer before starting construction of a stock containment area as a planning permit may be required in some situations.

Find out more about stock containment areas.

Agriculture Victoria continues to respond to the detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza at 8 Victorian poultry farms, with no new infected properties identified since 24 June. Between 120-160 staff are deployed on any given day.

Victorian Government staff have completed more than 5,000 surveillance activities, including property visits, phone calls and dead bird collections, and tested over 16,300 samples.

Agriculture Victoria staff continue to work with affected properties supporting decontamination, egg and litter disposal. A comprehensive surveillance program of all commercial poultry farms in the area is also underway.

Residents nearby to the infected properties are receiving regular text messages and calls from Agriculture Victoria to confirm the health of any poultry on their property.

Poultry owners are reminded that movement controls remain in place near Terang, Meredith and Lethbridge. Permits are required for the movement of birds, poultry products and feed. These are expected to remain in place until the situation stabilises.

There is also a housing requirement in place, meaning all birds in the restricted area or control area near the infected properties must remain in their enclosures, to avoid any contact with wild birds.

'We appreciate that in these areas it’s not always easy to have your birds housed and we thank bird owners for their essential support to prevent the spread of this disease, as the risk of the disease remains,' said Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke.

'I’d also like to acknowledge the poultry industry for their ongoing assistance as we work to eradicate avian influenza from Victoria. It’s already been a huge effort, but we encourage all primary producers to remain vigilant and report any unwell poultry to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.'

Agriculture Victoria staff are also providing information at community pop-up stands in Terang and Bannockburn areas each week.

Infected properties continue to be decontaminated and the risk of infection removed, as Agriculture Victoria works towards achieving freedom of avian influenza for Victoria’s poultry industry.

Individual affected farms can experience significant financial stress. Compensation is payable under specified circumstances for destruction of livestock and property on infected premises.

Other supports available include:

• the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
• the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) is a fortnightly Commonwealth Government payment for eligible farming families in financial hardship
• low-interest loans for farm businesses are available through the Commonwealth Government’s Regional Investment Corporation (RIC).

A comprehensive list of resources and contact details for industry and individual support, including technical, financial and mental health information, support and services, in our resource directory.

Agriculture Victoria continues to urge poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

While cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are possible, the current risk to the public remains low. If you have had contact with birds on an affected property and you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, call your doctor or the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 for medical advice.

More information, including movement permits, compensation details and mental health resources, are available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.

Agriculture Victoria is seeking up-to-date data to better understand how wild dogs and dingoes are affecting Victorian livestock farmers.

The livestock predation survey will collect data from farmers about incidents of livestock predation by wild dogs and dingoes on their properties, including:

• the levels and frequency of livestock attacks
• how livestock attacks impact farmers and their local communities
• the effectiveness and efficiency of lethal and non-lethal control methods.

This survey is targeted to livestock producers across the whole of Victoria. Participation in the survey is voluntary.

Data collected through the survey will help inform a review of the policies and regulations for the management of livestock predation and conservation of dingoes in Victoria.

In partnership with Traditional Owners, Agriculture Victoria will commence formal consultation in the coming weeks, with farmers, ecologists, industry and other stakeholders being invited to participate and provide feedback.

Survey details

Duration: The survey will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

Confidentiality: This survey is confidential and anonymous. It does not ask for your name. No information about individuals will be released. DEECA’s privacy policy can be found here.

Deadline: The survey will close at 11:59 pm on 6 August 2024.

How to participate

Click here to access the survey.

We are grateful for your time and participation. The data you provide is invaluable to us and the broader agricultural community.

If you have any questions please email the team at livestockpredation@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Ahead of National Tree Day on 28 July, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action staff have taken delivery of more than 20,000 native seedlings as part of the Victorian Government’s Gippsland Farm Forestry Grant program.

The seedlings will support the establishment of plantations on farms in Gippsland, and include Shining Gum, Spotted Gum, Yellow Stringybark, Silvertop Ash and Black Wattle.

Staff at DEECA’s Noojee work centre are closely monitoring and tending to the seedlings before being delivered to the grant recipients’ farms where they will be incorporated into woodlots, shelterbelts and wide space plantations.

Up to 10,000 seedlings have already been earmarked for a small farm in West Gippsland and will be moved there once the site is ready for planting.

Generally, the seedlings are planted when the weather is favourable, this is when they are least likely to be subjected to heavy frosts and have a better survival rate.

The benefits of farm forestry for farmers and private landholders include providing shelter for stock, crops and pastures, as well as a diversified income stream through sale of timber. There are also environmental benefits such as carbon storage and habitat creation.

In addition to the trees for farm forestry, DEECA’s Noojee work centre staff are also looking after another 12,000 Messmate and Yellow Stringybark seedlings that are part of the ongoing regeneration of timber harvest areas.

Find out more about the Gippsland Farm Forestry Grant program.

Chickens are a popular backyard companion. From eggs in the morning to wandering around the backyard – they are entertaining feathered friends.  

In this episode, Cathy Ronalds and Agriculture Victoria’s Dr Dianne Phillips discuss looking after the health and wellbeing of your chooks and maintaining good at-home biosecurity practices.

Listen via the AgVic website.

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.

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.

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.

Victoria’s bounty collections continue.

Please 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.

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.

Avoiding the full force of cold weather on cows

With a winter blast forecast for eastern Victoria, reducing the impacts of cold weather on cattle is essential to both animal production and welfare.

Read the full media release here.

Grants to help bring the agricultural show season to life

Victorian agricultural and pastoral societies looking to improve their infrastructure or boost awareness and involvement in regional shows will get more support from the Victorian Government.

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.

Join us for the future planning Farm Business Success workshops. 

Farmers in central Gippsland are invited to attend these free workshop series to strengthen their business and plan for managing risks in a changing climate.

Sessions will cover:

• action planning and farm risk management
• farm finances and profitable decision making
• managing people and farm safety 
• adaptation and natural resource improvement.

Where: Agriculture Victoria Maffra office, 1 Stratford road, Maffra

When: Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 August – Module 1 – 3 and Thursday 15 and Friday 16 August – Module 4 – 6

Register here.

When: Tuesday 6 August - Wednesday 7 August, 10 am to 3 pm both days.

Where: Thorpdale Hall, 14 Johnstone Street, Thorpdale.

Presenter: Peter Smith, Sapphire Irrigation Consulting.

Register here.

Peter has a strong background in irrigation systems and management. He delivers training courses nationally and has a strong commitment to building skills for a resilient irrigation sector.

Topics include:

• designing spray irrigation systems for uniform application
• financial factors - purchase and operational costs of different systems
• planning for installation
• energy efficiencies of different systems
• key measures and indicators of spray irrigation system performance
• technology options - variable application rate, end guns and sprinkler packs
• irrigation scheduling and operation for improved agronomy.

Participants who attend the 2-day workshop will be given take-home reference materials. The irrigation extension team will be conducting follow up consultations.

This workshop is funded through the Sustainable Irrigation Program and delivered by Agriculture Victoria in partnership with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

Bruthen: 

• Friday 9 August, 10 am to 2 pm.
• Bruthen Mechanics Hall, 49 Main Street, Bruthen.
• Register here.

Maffra: 

• Tuesday 27 August, 10 am to 2 pm.
• Duart Homestead, 20 McLean St, Maffra.
• Register here.

Wonthaggi: 

• Tuesday 3 September, 10 am to 2 pm.
• Venue TBC.
• Register 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/couples/families and service providers in your community together to provide well-being tools and information, connect and share ideas, and to identify strategies you can immediately implement to positively impact your well-being.

$20 per farming family/couple/person.

Lunch provided.

The workshop is funded by the Farm Business Resilience Program, which is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

When: Friday 9 August, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Warragul Goods Shed, Warragul Train Station Carpark (corner of Howitt and Alfred Street), Warragul. 

Register here.

Join GippsDairy for a masterclass with Joel Williams!

Joel will be facilitating a condensed masterclass on foliar applications. He will also run through examples of DIY foliar mixes based on leaf/sap analysis and soil test results. 

Joel is an independent plant and soil health educator with a particular interest in designing farming systems that focus on managing soil biology along with crop and soil nutrition to optimise plant immunity and soil function.

When: Tuesday 13 August, 10:15 am - 2:30 pm and Tuesday 20 August, 10:15 am - 2:30 pm 
Where: Maffra Memorial Hall, 11 Foster St, Maffra

Register here.

When: Wednesday 14 August, 10:15 am - 2:30 pm and Wednesday 21 August, 10:15 am - 2:30 pm
Where: TBC, West Gippsland

Register here.

The Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) program is aimed at dairy farmers who already make pasture decisions. This program equips decision makers with a new set of tools to maximise pasture consumption and production.

Learn efficient ways to improve pasture utilisation through the practical coaching from GippsDairy Regional Extension Officers and a farm management consultant.

The program covers:

• Grazing management understanding the science behind good grazing recommendations and introducing a Rotation Right system.
• Profitable feeding the role of supplements and the interaction between grazing, supplement use and cow performance
• A practice based individual system approach.

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.

Get your tickets here.

Click here to register for conference updates.

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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.