• Avian influenza response continues in Victoria
• Ag Vic contacting land owners near Meredith and Terang
• Avian influenza information pop ups
• Protect your paddocks with a stock containment area
• Take part in our livestock predation survey
• Farmers invited to ‘Take a Wellbeing Break’
• Getting the rations right in dry seasons
• Tactics for dry times to help western Victorian dairy farmers
• Listen to the latest AgVic Talk episode on biosecurity basics
• Dry seasons and drought support
• Free financial counselling
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• Dairy farmers use of antibiotics survey
• What's on

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:

• Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
• 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 is available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.

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

Want to find out more about avian influenza in your area?

We'll be at the following locations:

Terang Co-Op Supa IGA, Terang

• Friday 26 July, 11 am – 1 pm

Bannockburn Central Shopping Centre,17 McPhillips Road, Bannockburn

• Saturday 27 July, 10am – 12 noon

If you live in the area and own birds – or just want some more info – stop by and have a chat with the team. To learn more, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza

Farmers in south-west Victoria 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 a 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 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

A series of wellbeing workshops targeting farming communities is being delivered as part of Agriculture Victoria’s Farm Business Resilience program, with the first to be held in Dimboola.

Agriculture Victoria Statewide Agriculture Recovery Manager Tess McDougall said the ‘Take a Wellbeing Break’ workshops are aiming to support social connection and collaboration in farming communities.

‘The workshops will provide occasions to support farmers, farming families and rural communities with mental health, wellbeing and self-care.’

The National Farmer Wellbeing Report conducted by the National Farmers Federation in 2023 found that burnout and exhaustion are commonly reported in the farming community, with almost three quarters of farmers experiencing burnout of some kind in the last five years.

Mrs McDougall said farmers have faced a series of challenging events over recent years with the current dry seasonal conditions in some regions just the latest one to confront them.

The workshops will be facilitated by Cynthia Mahoney, an experienced facilitator and coach with a background in agricultural science. She said the workshops are designed to be fun and practical.

‘They will bring farmers together to provide them with wellbeing tools and information, connect them and share ideas, and identify practical strategies they can immediately implement to positively impact their well-being.

‘People often associate wellbeing with the serious topic of mental health and expect another workshop full of the same stuff.

‘It is a weighty subject, and I have created something that is meant to be fun while also providing an opportunity for participants to talk about wellbeing in a serious way while they are doing it,’ said Ms Mahoney.

The first of the workshops will be held at Dimboola on Wednesday 7 August from 6 to 8 pm and is supported by Wimmera Women Connect, Birchip Cropping Group, Hindmarsh Shire and Wimmera Southern Mallee Development.

Register for the Dimboola workshop at Trybooking or visit the Agriculture Victoria events page.

Other workshops are being planned for Casterton on 29 August and Kyabram on 5 September with details to be made available on Trybooking and the Agriculture Victoria website.

The workshops are 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.

Weighing up the value of rations is critical to managing feed in dry seasons. 

Check out these tools for making rations to ensure stock performance.

Visit:  Feeding Livestock – getting the rations right.

Western Victorian dairy farmers facing challenging dry conditions will receive assistance at a series of seminars in July and August. 

WestVic Dairy Regional Manager and Executive Officer, Linday Ferguson said the seminars will be an opportunity for farmers to better understand what the current operating conditions mean for their farm business and help in making important decisions.

'We are seeing that dairy farmers are under pressure. Tactics for Dry Times will give farmers practical advice and resources to help them assess what decisions they need to make to get through these tough dry conditions.

'The seminars are an opportunity for farmers to discuss management tactics with fellow farmers, and to receive advice from a range of experts,' said Ferguson.

Tactics for Dry Times will feature local farm business consultants, agronomists, vets, and rural financial counsellors who can provide expert advice.

The topics covered will include assessing your current business position and cash flow options; managing winter feeding and setting up for a successful spring; animal health issues to be on alert for in dry times to manage cow health, fertility and production; and the support available for personal health and wellbeing.

Tactics for Dry Times has been developed by WestVic Dairy and Agriculture Victoria in collaboration with the Industry Leadership Group in response to the dry seasonal conditions.

For more details and to register visit www.westvicdairy.com.au or call WestVic Dairy on (03) 5557 1000.

• Colac Monday 29 July 11 am - 1:30 pm
• Koroit Friday 2 August 11 am - 1:30 pm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When: Sunday 4 and Monday 5 August, 8 am to 5 pm.

Where: Hamilton Showgrounds.

You will find us in a new spot this year in the ACE Radio Producers Market and Innovations Hub sites 149-151.

DATE: Friday 2 August

TIME: 8 - 10 am

WHERE: The Catching Pen Cafe, 89 White St, Coleraine

Free event.

Livestock producers are invited to a free ‘back to basics’ breakfast session about feeding livestock during dry times.

Dr. Hannah Manning, Agriculture Victoria veterinarian will discuss livestock feeding requirements such as:

• body condition scoring
• measuring pasture
• options when feed supply doesn’t meet demand.

The early morning session will also inform producers about available tools and resources for dry times.

REGISTER HERE

Join Agriculture Victoria and Specialist Research and Extension Officer Lisa Miller of Southern Farming Systems for a free workshop.

At this workshop Lisa will discuss:

• how to promote growth this spring such as the use of gibberellic acid and urea and the economics of their use
• grazing management to promote growth and assist pasture recovery.
• opportunities for fodder conservation and summer crops.

Lisa comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in pasture agronomy and research experience. The workshop is sure to help set you up for more feed in spring.

Date: Wednesday 7 August

Time: Light lunch from 12 - 1pm. Workshop from 1 - 3 pm

Where: Colac Bowling Club, 4 Armstrong Street, Colac

Light refreshments will be provided, please note dietary needs at registration.

To register please visit TryBooking.

Workshop numbers are limited so you must register to attend.

For more information please contact Hannah Manning, Livestock Industry Development Officer on 0400 532 595 or hannah.manning@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Are you a YAP based in South West Victoria? 

Young Agriculture Professionals (YAP’s) Network is designed for the youngest active generation on the farm, emerging leaders in agriculture, and anyone involved or interested in the agricultural industry.

It's a great opportunity to learn, network, and socialize with like-minded individuals.

The inaugural event Fields of Futures dinner at GMHBA stadium marks the beginning of the project aimed at uniting South West Victoria's agricultural community, fostering a supportive network that can be relied upon during both good and tough times.

YAPs is supported by Southern Farming Systems, South West Node of the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation hub and funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

This event is a ticketed only event, free for anyone aged 18+, including partners, family, friends, or colleagues involved or interested in agriculture.

Get your tickets by July 30 to secure your spot. Bus transportation will be available from multiple pickup points throughout the Western Districts, with return service provided after the event.

Follow the link on the ticketing site to book your seat.

Become a YAP and book your ticket here.

If you would like more information about the network contact Greta Duff, SFS on 0428 871 900 or email.

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

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