• Avian influenza restrictions eased
• Tools available to assess dam water levels
• Cat desexing grants to press paws on unwanted litters
• Growing more feed webinar recording now available
• Itching to scratch lice and ringworm in cattle
• West Wimmera farmer gets $10,000 with conviction for cruelty to livestock
• Dry seasons support
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• Free financial counselling with RFCS
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Further changes have been made to control orders surrounding avian influenza cases in Victoria, given that no new cases have been detected since 24 June 2024.

From Thursday, 12 September 2024:

• restricted areas around Meredith and Terang have been removed and replaced with control areas
• newly designated control areas are the same size as the former restricted areas
• the housing requirement in the newly designated control areas has been lifted, meaning birds no longer need to remain inside enclosures.

Permits for moving birds, poultry products, and equipment are still required for premises within control areas.

Permits are not required for vehicles transporting poultry feed in the control areas so long as they meet biosecurity requirements.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke emphasised the continued importance of cooperating to manage the outbreak.

‘Our efforts to monitor disease continue, with staff visiting properties and testing birds in the control areas,’ he said.

‘As we continue to carry out ‘proof of freedom’ testing, we’re confident that this testing will not find any positive cases of high pathogenicity avian influenza, proving to the world that our flocks are safe.’

‘The collective actions of impacted property owners have been critical in enabling this easing of restrictions. We thank the poultry industry and property owners for their ongoing support and cooperation during this outbreak.’

Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to continue to be vigilant and report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

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

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

Agriculture Victoria has a range of online tools available to assist farmers in assessing the volume of water in their dams and how long that water may last.

Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer Clem Sturmfels said assessing how much water there is in a dam can be difficult due to a dam’s odd shape and formulas used to measure its volume.

‘Farm dams generally hold less water than expected and in a dry year, it’s important farmers have a good understanding of how much water is left in their dams and plan accordingly.

‘The volume of a dam is closely related to its length and width. A stable, well-built dam has gently sloping sides which nearly meet in the middle of the dam’s base.

‘For example, a rectangular dam measuring 33m by 22m has a depth of approximately 3m and volume of approximately 1 million litres or 1 megalitre. A triangular shaped dam with similar measurements has a volume of approximately half this amount.

‘Evaporation will cause a loss of around 60% of this volume leaving the dam with enough water to carry approximately 200 sheep or 20 cattle for one year.

‘Many dams rely on a regular top-up of water during autumn or spring, however this year has seen dry seasonal conditions, making the chance of a top up less likely due to depleted soil moisture and less runoff,’ said Mr Sturmfels.

Agriculture Victoria has several tools to help farmers calculate dam volumes based on shape, length, width and depth, including the Farm Water Calculator and the Summer Water Calculator.

The Summer Water Calculator also helps to calculate how long the remaining water may last.

The depth of a dam can be measured using a depth sounder or fishing line measuring device.

A ‘how to’ video for making and using the fishing line measuring device can be accessed on the Agriculture Victoria website: Measuring the depth of your dam.

Information on preparing your farm for dry seasonal conditions can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Government is supporting vulnerable cat owners and addressing cat over-population by providing grants to local councils to partner with animal rescue shelters to increase cat desexing rates.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently visited Second Chance Animal Rescue in Craigieburn to announce 14 councils will share in $300,000 to deliver targeted cat desexing programs within their communities.

Hume City Council will receive a $25,000 grant to partner with 2 vet clinics, including Second Chance Animal Rescue to desex around 80 cats. This will lead to fewer unwanted litters and reduce the number of cats in animal shelters or requiring euthanasia in the long term.

The Council-run desexing programs will support people who care for semi-owned and unowned cats and help them take full ownership of these cats. By providing free desexing, microchipping, and in some cases free registration for the first year, these people are encouraged to become registered and committed owners.

The program will also provide free and low-cost desexing services to cats owned by Victorians who may be experiencing financial hardship in the identified target areas.

Cat management is a significant and complex challenge in Victoria with more than 227,000 registered cats and a substantial number of unregistered, unowned, or feral cats in our urban and natural environments. Although 95 per cent of registered cats are desexed by the age of two, cats can have multiple litters in this time.

The program specifically targets semi-owned cats and addresses problem cat populations, as well as cats often overlooked by desexing programs.

The Government invested $1.3 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 for three cat management initiatives, the state’s first long-term Cat Management Strategy will be released later in 2024.

For a full list of council grant recipients visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals.

Growing more feed with Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Fiona Baker - watch here.

Rewatch our previous webinars: 

• Cash flow and finance management presented by Paul Blackshaw of Meridian Agriculture
• Common spring animal health issues presented by Dr Leah Tyrell 
• Land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas 
• Early weaning of lambs with Dr Steve Cotton 
• The importance of nutrition with Dr. Jillian Kelly 

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

Have you ever wondered why some poor and under-condition young cattle coats look so rough at this time of year?

It could be due to lice or ringworm, which both thrive under similar circumstances.

Both lice and ringworm are typically a greater problem in young cattle, typically in either poor nutrition or those with a compromised immune system.

Neither are a significant problem to cattle in good health.

Lice are small sucking or biting insects found most commonly around the head, neck and shoulder area, and along the back to the tail.

The irritation they cause lead to a rough scruffy appearance, and areas of skin rubbed raw particularly around the neck and shoulders.

The main effects of lice are skin damage as well as reduced ability or focus to graze.

Cattle are infested through animal-to-animal contact with other cattle from which the population of lice can build up rapidly.

Cattle lice do not infest other animals.

The cattle’s denser winter coat along with cooler weather favours the lice’s survival.

Without treatment the problem will remain until spring, when increasing temperatures and day lengths along with improved nutrition naturally reduce lice numbers.

Ringworm is a transmissible infectious skin disease caused by a spore forming fungi.

It too is spread by direct contact and can spread rapidly through a group of cattle, particularly in poorly growing young animals with underlying poor health or nutrition.

It causes grey-white areas of slightly raised skin with an ash like surface.

It can become widespread being seen predominantly around the eyes, ears and back of calves, and the chest and legs of adult cattle.

It causes little permanent damage or economic loss, however, can be transmitted to humans.

Ringworm usually clears up within 1 to 2 months without any treatment particularly when conditions improve.

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

A West Wimmera farmer recently pleaded guilty in the Horsham Magistrates Court and was fined $10,000 with conviction.

In July 2022, in response to a complaint Agriculture Victoria officers visited a property at Patyah, near Edenhope in the Wimmera, and were faced with over 100 deceased sheep which had died within the last 1-2 weeks.

The farmer, Norbert Wende, was the owner and manager of 440 sheep which were split into 2 mobs on a property in Patyah.

The pasture was short and there was no supplementary feed. The sheep were in an emaciated condition, suffering from parasitic burdens and bottle jaw.

The Magistrate considered the plea of guilty, the absence of a criminal history, and Mr Wende’s co-operation with Agriculture Victoria officers, plus the taking of remedial action and there having been no further offending since 2022.

The Magistrate also commented this was a serious case of neglect for which a conviction was warranted.

Agriculture Victoria Acting Compliance Manager Penny Lucas said the weight of the fine with conviction sends a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community.

‘Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers.'

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

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.

Livestock predation survey preliminary results

Preliminary results from Agriculture Victoria’s recent livestock predation survey will be discussed at targeted dingo conservation and management consultation activities being held across the state this week.

Read the full media release here.

Will my dam fill this year? Soil moisture keeps score

Farmers in Victoria are encouraged to closely monitor their soil moisture and dam water levels over the coming months to ensure water availability is included in future planning.

Read the full media release here.

Barwon farmer fined $10,000 with conviction for animal cruelty

A Barwon farmer recently pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court and was fined $10,000 with conviction. A disqualification order to own or person in charge of livestock was also imposed for 7 years.

Read the full media release here.

Facing tough conditions? Don’t go through it alone

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to take up ongoing support and assistance to help manage current difficult seasonal conditions.

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.

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:

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

Come along to a free RIC webinar to learn more about how RIC’s low-cost Farm Investment Loan can help support farm businesses to rebuild and recover after external shocks that cause severe business disruption.

When: Wednesday 18 September, 12 - 1pm

Where: online.

Register here.

Have recent wet summers and warmer winters increased the impact of Barbers Pole and other sheep worms on your enterprise?

Think you may have an issue with drench resistance but not sure how to find out?

Want to hear about the latest management strategies for decreasing worm burden in your sheep flock?

Three workshops with Dr Ben Blomfield, a veterinary consultant from Melbourne University’s Mackinnon Project, will kick off a 3-year Enhanced Producer Demonstration Site (EPDS) project on sheep worm management.

Bengworden:
Tuesday 17 September, 4 – 6 pm
Gippsland Ag Centre, 345 Bengworden Road, Bengworden
RSVP: Monday 16 September

Buchan:
Wednesday 18 September, 10 am – 12 pm
Buchan Football Clubrooms
5609 Buchan-Orbost Road, Buchan
RSVP: Tuesday 17 September

Swifts Creek:
Wednesday 18 September, 5 - 7 pm
Swifts Creek DEECA office, 13 McMillan Avenue, Swifts Creek
RSVP: Tuesday 17 September

Register here.

This event is a part of a Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project, joint-funded by Meat & Livestock Australia and Agriculture Victoria, which is being run in conjunction with the Bairnsdale BestWool Best Lamb Group and supported by the Gippsland Agriculture Group.

When: Tuesday 17 September, 10 am to 1 pm

Where: 165 Mewburn Park Road, Tinamba

Register here.

Join us for a practical demonstration at Tom Gannon's farm in Tinamba, where we'll showcase the successful implementation of a self-cleaning filter system for effluent application through different irrigation systems.

This innovative project highlights how Tom's new effluent filter has enhanced irrigation and fertigation efficiency as well as environmental management by preventing blockages and improving nutrient distribution.

What to expect:

• live demonstration of the self-cleaning pontoon and inline filters in action
• how effluent can be utilised through both centre pivot and pipe and riser irrigation systems
• discussion with Tom about his experience with how the filters have improved irrigation uniformity and reduced nutrient and maintenance requirements
• free barbecue lunch after the demonstration and discussion

This demonstration project has been supported in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

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:

• business planning and risk management
• farm finances and profitable decision making
• managing people on farm, farm safety and wellbeing
• climate adaptation and natural resource improvement including soil, water, crops and pastures.

Course dates:

• Thursday 19 September, 11 am to 2 pm - Business success
• Monday 30 September, 11 am to 2 pm - People success 
• Monday 14 October, 12 to 2 pm - Plan review.

Location: Online

Register here.

Come meet Gippsland Hoof Cares, Dean Rowley, and learn about hoof health and care in wet conditions and preparing your cows for the months ahead. Learn how to identify lameness, caring for cows, how to avoid lameness, what causes it and how we can help and care for cows that may suffer lameness. Discussions and questions about practices are welcome. 

South Gippsland: 
Monday 16 September, 11 am - 2 pm
Yarram, on farm. Address will be sent via text before event.
Register here.

MID: 
Tuesday 24 September, 11 am - 2 pm
Riverslea, on farm. Address will be sent via text before event.
Register here.

West Gippsland: 
Friday 4 October, 11 am - 2 pm
Labertouche, on farm. Address will be sent via text before event.
Register here. 

The Farm Business Resilience Program supports farmers to develop the knowledge and skills they need to improve their farm business and be better equipped to manage the impacts of seasonal conditions and a changing climate.

When: 24-25 September

Where: Agriculture Victoria (Macalister Room), 1 Stratford–Maffra Road, Maffra

Agriculture Victoria, in partnership with the ION Group, is inviting you to join other farmers in a free short course with specialists on the following topics:

• business planning, risk identification and management
• farm finances and profitable decision making
• managing people on farm and business and personal wellbeing.

Please register here

These sessions will cover modules 1 to 3 of the program. Modules 4 to 6 are on 9 and 10 October.

Join GippsDairy for a workshop that will introduce farmers to dairy cow nutrition and pasture.

This practical, on-farm event is aimed at new entrants to the industry and people with little to no pasture knowledge.

Topics will include:

• when to graze
• where to put the Strip Grazing Fence
• when to graze the paddock again
• how to get the most production out of your pasture
• what to do with surplus grass growing

A light lunch will be provided. Please bring along a chair and be sure to register early. 

MID:

When: Tuesday 1 October, 9 am - 2 pm
Where: Fulham, address provided after registration. 
Register here.

West Gippsland: 

When: Wednesday 2 October, 9 am - 2 pm 
Where: West Gippsland, address provided after registration. 
Register here.

South Gippsland: 

When: Thursday 3 October, 9 am - 2 pm
Where: Inverloch, address provided after registration.
Register here.

When: Wednesday 2 October, 10 am to 1 pm. 

Where: 83 Punt Lane, Clydebank. 

Register here.

Join us for an exciting showcase of the automated irrigation system that's enabled Wilandra Farms to maximise their solar energy utilisation.

Sandra Jefford and Wilco Droppert will discuss their decision making process, what they learned along the way and how this system has impacted their management of the farm.

Gain insight into the “SmartBox” solar and irrigation automation system developed by Steve Soutar, CEO of Alternative Energy Innovations.

What to expect:

• live (automated) demonstration of the centre pivots and fixed sprinklers that run off the solar energy generated on farm
• hear from Sandra and Wilco, and ask them any of your burning questions
• discussion with Steve Soutar about the process of system automation
• free barbecue lunch.

This demonstration project has been supported in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

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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.