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| Bird owners urged to remain vigilant |
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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
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| Applications for the Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring program are now open! |
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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.
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| Gippsland nurseries sprout more jobs |
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A local family-owned nursery is growing thousands of new plants across two of its Gippsland sites to create more local jobs and drive economic growth in the region thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing recently represented Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney in Yarragon to announce the completion of Habitat Creations nursery expansions. Both expansions in Yarragon and Moe are made possible by an investment through Regional Development Victoria.
The nurseries are now capable of producing an additional 500,000 aquatic, riparian and terrestrial plants each year using recycled rainwater, generating a boost in the company’s production capacity.
Nine full-time jobs have been created across both sites to maintain the plants, adding to Habitat Creations’ 60 existing employees who work across Gippsland and Greater Melbourne.
The Yarragon expansion includes a 2,000 square metre aquatic plant growing nursery, interactive mobile office area and a training room to boost employee skills while in Moe, the nursery’s growing area has increased from 500 to 1,000 square metres to provide more space for plants.
The expansion includes an increase in seed storage capacity which is boosting the company’s capacity to develop new seed drying and cleaning technologies. The nurseries will also save on energy and costs with the adoption of solar power and an upgraded irrigation system.
Habitat Creations was founded in 2007 and sells plants from its Yarragon and Moe nurseries. The company also offers tree planting, environmental and conservation land management, and other services throughout Victoria.
This project is a part of the Victorian Government’s record $45 billion investment since 2014 in projects and programs that support regional and rural Victoria to be an even better place to live, work, stay, and play.
For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au.
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| Applications open for Animal Welfare Advisory Committee |
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The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is seeking expressions of interest for the position of member of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), for a term of up to three years.
AWAC is a non–statutory ministerial advisory committee, whose primary role and function is to advise the Minister for Agriculture on matters concerned with animal welfare in Victoria.
Applications close Sunday 11 August 2024.
Find out more and apply here.
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| Winter webinar series recordings now available |
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Agriculture Victoria ran a series of lunchtime webinars recently to help farmers manage the dry conditions.
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Land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas, with Agriculture Victoria’s Clem Sturmfels: watch here
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The importance of nutrition, with Animal Health and Nutrition Consulting’s Dr. Jillian Kelly: watch here
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Managing lambing and lactating ewes, with Dynamic Ag Livestock Consultant Dr Steve Cotton: watch here
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| Choosing the best feed this winter |
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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.
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| Dairy farmers use of antibiotics survey |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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| Free financial counselling with RFCS |
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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.
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Groundwater tables high across Macalister Irrigation District
The central Gippsland region has recorded high groundwater levels for 3 consecutive years, the highest since records began in the 1990s.
Read the full media release here.
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Stronger businesses for Gippsland farmers
Farmers in central, south and west Gippsland are invited to attend upcoming Farm Business Success workshops to support their business and action planning to build a stronger business for tomorrow.
Read the full media release here.
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Protect your paddocks with a stock containment area
Farmers are encouraged to consider containment feeding to protect pastures and paddocks from soil erosion over the next few months.
Read the full media release here.
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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.
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| Farm Business Success workshops - south and west Gippsland |
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Join us for the future planning Farm Business Success workshops.
Gippsland farmers are invited to attend these free workshop series to strengthen their business and plan for managing risks in a changing climate.
Sessions will cover:
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action planning and farm risk management
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farm finances and profitable decision making
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managing people and farm safety
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adaptation and natural resource improvement.
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| Victoria’s seasonal climate outlook for spring |
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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.
For more information and to stay up to date with our upcoming climate webinars visit our website.
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| Dry season spring webinar series - Cash flow and finance management |
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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.
When: 21 August, 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Register here.
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| Family, Farm, Finance, Future: Succession Planning Expo – Orbost and Bruthen |
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Your ticket includes:
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a series of speakers covering a range of topics
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an expo of local legal and financial businesses, and other low or no-fee services
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free document certification and witnessing
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a free or discount follow up with providers at the event.
Orbost: Thursday 29 August, 9 am - 2 pm, Orbost Golf Club, 96 Bonang Road, Orbost.
Register here.
Bruthen: Friday 30 August, 9 am - 2 pm, Bruthen Mechanics Hall, 49 Main Street, Bruthen
Register here.
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| Wellbeing Break workshops - Bruthen, Maffra and Wonthaggi |
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Maffra:
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Tuesday 27 August, 10 am to 2 pm.
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Duart Homestead, 20 McLean St, Maffra.
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Register here.
Wonthaggi:
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Tuesday 3 September, 10 am to 2 pm.
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The Clubhouse, 11 Dr Sleeman Drive, Wonthaggi.
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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.
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| Farm Business Resilience Program: Online Short Course |
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The Farm Business Resilience Program is supporting farmers to develop the knowledge and skills they need to improve their farm business and be better equipped to manage the impacts of drought and a changing climate.
Agriculture Victoria, in partnership with Cumbre Consultants, is inviting you to join other farmers in a free online short course with specialists on the following topics:
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Business planning and risk management
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Farm finances and profitable decision making
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Managing people on farm, farm safety and wellbeing
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Climate adaptation and natural resource improvement including soil, water, crops and pastures.
Course dates:
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Wednesday 28 August, 11 am to 2 pm
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Monday 2 September, 11 am to 2 pm
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Friday 6 September, 11 am to 2 pm
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Monday 9 September, 11 am to 2 pm
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Monday 30 September, 12 pm to 2 pm
Location: Online.
Register here.
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| Southern Australia Livestock Research Council Livestock Conference |
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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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Enjoying the Gippsland Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.
It's easy – simply click this link.
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| Contacting Agriculture Victoria |
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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.
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