In this edition:

• Regional Drought Resilience Plans – have your say
• Continuing to manage the risk of Varroa mite spreading to Victoria
• Free financial counselling with RFCS
• New biosecurity strategy keeping Victoria prepared
• A taste you can trace – episode 7
• Farm fire preparedness tip – stock containment
• Celebrating Victoria’s robust biosecurity system
• Sign up to the Weed Spotter newsletter
• Barley loose smut webinar recording now available
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Agriculture Victoria has been working with members of the Ovens Murray, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee communities to prepare a draft Drought Resilience Plan for the region.  

The Drought Resilience Plans propose themes, outcomes, and actions to better prepare the region for future droughts and help them to thrive in challenging times.

We invite all local community members to have their say on the draft plans by visiting EngageVic website before 10 December.

We encourage all interested parties to ‘follow’ the Regional Drought Resilience EngageVic page for updates.

The Ovens Murray, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee Drought Resilience Plans are the final 3 plans to be developed across Victoria’s 9 regions as part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund in partnership with the Victorian Government. 

Community feedback on the draft plans for the Ovens Murray, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee regions is currently being sought.

Plans for Great South Coast, Barwon and Central Highlands are currently being finalised following input from community members.

Plans for Gippsland, Goulburn and Wimmera Southern Mallee have been published and are available to view online.

More information on the plans, the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program and the Future Drought Fund is available on the Agriculture Victoria website. 

For more information on the development of Regional Drought Resilience Plan in the Ovens Murray region contact Rod Hayes.

For the plans in the Loddon Campaspe and Mallee contact Richard Soppe.

Responses close 10 December.

Agriculture Victoria continues to manage the risk of Varroa mite spreading to Victoria.

Field teams are continuing port surveillance, conducting targeted surveillance and deploying sentinel hives at points of general risk along the Victorian/NSW border. 

Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 if you see or suspect Varroa. 

For more information visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/varroa

Have you been impacted by recent floods, fires or dry seasonal conditions?

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.

The Victorian Government has released a new framework to further strengthen the state’s biosecurity systems from the paddock to our borders.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently visited Auravale Alpacas in Belgrave South to launch Victoria’s Biosecurity Strategy, which calls for greater community collaboration to prepare for and respond to future biosecurity threats.

Victoria will face intensifying biosecurity risks – driven by climate change, increasing trade and travel, and changing land use – so a clear, statewide strategy was required to ensure the state’s $20.2 billion agriculture industry remains protected.

The new strategy outlines 5 overarching goals and 20 actions that will aim to safeguard the state against pests and diseases including foot-and-mouth disease.

The goals aim to build better partnerships with key stakeholders, strengthen the state’s capacity to prepare and respond to emergencies, and identify more ways government can support Victoria’s biosecurity system as a whole.

The Biosecurity Strategy was formed through extensive engagement with Traditional Owners and nearly 450 stakeholders covering all aspects of Victoria’s biosecurity system – from farmers and industry groups to land managers and emergency management agencies.

Biosecurity and emergency animal disease preparedness is a top priority for the Victorian Government. In the Victorian Budget 2023/24, an investment of $17.4 million will continue to strengthen our emergency animal disease preparedness, bringing the total investment since 2022 to $43 million.

To learn more about Victoria’s Biosecurity Strategy, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/2023-biosecurity-strategy

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Traceability can help reduce food waste along the supply chain, ensuring fresh produce arrives at the end of its journey in top condition.  

In this episode, Luke Wood from Escavox discusses the tech used to follow food around the globe and how traceability can transform export businesses.

🎧🎧 Listen online via the AgVic website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgVicTalk

Where will you place your stock during an emergency?

It’s crucial to have a refuge paddock or stock containment area ready for your livestock during emergencies, with adequate feed and water for their safety. 

Use the Fire Preparedness Toolkit and web resources to start planning for stock containment areas, emergency feeding and water budgeting – available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires

Find and use our Farm Fire Preparedness Toolkit here.

As the country celebrated National Agriculture Day recently, it’s crucial to recognise the exceptional efforts of Victoria’s Biosecurity System.

Recent 2022–23 performance data paints a clear picture of the essential work conducted by Agriculture Victoria staff on the ground.

Throughout the year, Agriculture Victoria conducted a total of 10,490 inspections, audits, and investigations of plants, animals, chemicals and invasive species, reflecting the dedicated effort to ensure the health and safety of Victoria’s agriculture.

In addition, they processed 26,611 services and permits online, streamlining the processes that support the agricultural industry.

Agriculture Victoria’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s agriculture is further exemplified by their response to animal disease investigations. Agriculture Victoria staff handled 1,764 animal disease investigations, of which 434 were conducted to exclude emergency animal diseases.

Agriculture Victoria responded to 16 biosecurity emergencies and incidents during the year, demonstrating their readiness to address unexpected challenges in the sector. Staff successfully completed 3 biosecurity emergency response exercises, highlighting their effectiveness in managing potential threats.

'These numbers articulate the resilience and profound significance of our agricultural industry,' Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Executive Director Katherine Clift said.

'Reflective in the numbers, our staff quickly mobilised their expertise, initiated extensive surveillance and offered support measures following the varroa mite detection just over the Victorian border in NSW.

'Their swift response not only illustrates their commitment to biosecurity but also highlights their dedication to protecting Victorian bees, a vital component of a sustainable environment.'

In addition to these remarkable efforts, Agriculture Victoria conducted 669 investigations related to suspect and emergency plant pests and surveyed a staggering 1.77 million hectares of grain crops, which accounts for nearly half of the grain produced in Victoria.

They also responded to 73 exotic pest animal reports, resulting in 16 positive detections across 7 different species, and eradicated 100 state-prohibited weed sites.

On the trade front, Agriculture Victoria issued 4,986 livestock health export certificates and 3,791 plant health certificates, enabling safe and efficient movement of agricultural products.

On this day, we encouraged all Victorians to take a moment to reflect on the outstanding achievements of our agricultural sector of our biosecurity system in protecting and supporting our agriculture sector which is a cornerstone of the Victorian economy supporting over 68,870 jobs and generating more than $20 billion annually in 2021–22.

The Weed Spotter newsletter provides updates on the latest in weed news in Victoria, recent infestations found and removed, and where to go to report suspected weeds in your area. 

Subscribe to the Weed Spotter newsletter here.

If you missed the Barley loose smut seasonal update for Vic and WA last month, you can watch the webinar at your leisure here.

Hear cereal grain pathologists Hari Dadu and Andrea Hill present on key topics including:
➡️ why has 2023 had higher levels of loose smut compared to other years?
➡️ what is the carryover risk?
➡️ what is the best management strategy?

Gains for breeding program from US trip

The pulse breeding program at Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham SmartFarm is reaping the benefits from a researcher’s recent study trip to the United States.

Read the media release in full here.

Helping Victorians choose a pet with confidence

The Victorian Government is helping Victorians find a puppy from a reputable breeder, ensuring the highest animal welfare standards for their new best friend.

Read the media release in full here.

Protecting Victoria’s abalone from virus outbreaks

A significant leap forward has been taken that will help keep Victoria’s abalone, a marine snail, safe and healthy.

A comprehensive new Code of Practice, that has been developed in close consultation with industry stakeholders, is now available.

Read the media release in full here.

Nominations for the 2023/2024 State and Territory Landcare Awards

Now in its 32nd year, the State and Territory Landcare Awards stand as a prestigious biennial national Landcare Awards program.

Find out more from the Landcare Australia website.

Nominations close Friday 1 March 2024.

Wetlands & Waterways: Be paid to protect

Do you have a river, creek or wetland on your property you would like to protect?

Wimmera CMA is inviting Expressions of Interest through the Funds for Farmers funding program.

Put in your Expression of Interest now here or call 03 5382 1544 or email wcma@wcma.vic.gov.au.

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Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to find out what's on.

Love your pigs?

Please join us for our pig health webinar on Tuesday 5 December at 6 pm to ensure your pigs have a happy, healthy summer. 

We’ll look at common illnesses, their signs and prevention.

We’ll also share an update on major diseases, including Japanese encephalitis and tell you about our free worm testing and biosecurity planning program.

Register your place here.

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