• Ag Vic contacting land owners near Meredith and Terang
• Avian influenza information pop ups
• Farmers invited to ‘Take a Wellbeing Break’
• National farm safety week
• Videos on choosing and costing out your feeds
• Tactics for dry times to help western Victorian dairy farmers
• Listen to the latest AgVic Talk episode on biosecurity basics
• Get it right every time – is it fit to load?
• Dry seasons and drought support
• Free financial counselling
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• In case you missed it
• What's on

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 12 July, 11 am – 1 pm
• Friday 19 July, 11 am – 1 pm

Bannockburn Central Shopping Centre,17 McPhillips Road, Bannockburn

• Saturday 13 July, 10 am – 12 noon
• Thursday 18 July, 10am – 12 noon
• Saturday 20 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

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 says 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 South-West Victoria, Northern Victoria and Gippsland, 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.

This National Farm Safety Week take farm safety into your hands. 
Make sure you, your visitors and workers are aware of farm safety risks and take proactive steps to manage them. 

• Provide safe playing areas for children and fence off hazardous areas such as dams.
• Use appropriate safety gear like helmets, gloves, eyewear, and hearing protection.
• Utilise a checking in system when working alone.
• Manage fatigue with regular breaks and planning ahead during busier times.

Visit the WorkSafe website for more #FarmingSafeandWell tips to make your farm safer for everyone.

Head to FarmSafe Australia to get the full rundown on Farm Safety Week at farmsafe.org.au/events

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. 

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

WestVic Dairy will host the Tactics for Dry Times seminars in Camperdown, Heywood, Colac, and Koroit.  

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.

• Camperdown Tuesday 23 July 11 am - 1:30 pm
• Heywood Thursday 25 July 11 am - 1:30 pm
• Colac Monday 29 July 11 am - 1:30 pm
• Koroit Friday 2 August 11 am - 1:30 pm

How can I create a balanced diet for my cattle? Are there any biosecurity risks to be aware of?

In this episode, Brett Davidson, Agriculture Victoria’s Dairy Regional Manager in Tatura and Rachael Laukart, Education Officer with the RSPCA share information about feeding cattle a balanced diet, what to do if you need to transition their diet and what biosecurity risks to be aware of when introducing new feed.

Listen via the AgVic website.

Livestock must be inspected prior to being loaded and they must not be suffering from conditions that could cause, or would be likely to cause, increased pain or distress during transport.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Jeff Cave said if you are in doubt about an animal’s suitability for transport, you can always ask your private veterinarian or any Agriculture Victoria animal health officer or veterinary officer if livestock are fit to load.

Furthermore, a guideline titled ‘Is the animal fit to load?’ has been produced by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). This guideline can be viewed electronically on MLA’s website or ordered from MLA at MLA publications.

In summary, an animal is not fit to load if it:

• is not able to walk normally or bear weight on all its legs. This may be due to a recent or old fracture, an injury, a deformity or an infection.
• is not strong enough to make the journey
• is suffering from severe distress or injury
• is in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport
• is blind in both eyes
• is in late pregnancy.

Dr Cave said if you identify an animal that is unfit to load you have a few options.

‘You could treat the animal and transport it when it has recovered and is fit to load. Naturally this is not an option in cases that are not readily treatable.

‘Alternatively, you could humanely destroy the animal. A knackery service is available in many areas to help with this option.’

‘Finally, you could consult a veterinarian and only transport the animal under veterinary advice.’

Dr Cave said remember, the person in charge of the animal is responsible for its welfare. Community values and expectations will not accept anything less.

For further information on animal welfare contact your local animal health staff at Agriculture Victoria or call 136 186.

Find the ‘Land transport of livestock standard guidelines' and more information at the Agriculture Victoria 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.

Partnering with community to manage pests and weeds

Efforts to support long-term management of rabbits, blackberries, serrated tussock and gorse across Victoria have been bolstered with support from the Victorian Government to four community pest management groups.

Read the full media release here.

New term for Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council

New members have been appointed to the second term of the Victorian Agriculture Climate Change Council to help the Victorian agriculture sector prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.

Read the full media relase here.

Public consultation opens for new Victorian Wine Strategy

Those with a keen interest in shaping the future of Victoria's prestigious wine industry are encouraged to share their insights to contribute to the development of the new Victorian Wine Strategy.

Read the full media release 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.

Managing lambing and lactating ewes - the second in the Dry season winter webinar series

Agriculture Victoria is running a series of lunchtime webinars to help farmers manage the dry conditions. The sessions will run for about an hour, with a chance to answer some questions at the end. Attend one or all sessions. This is the second session of three.

• When: Wednesday, 17 July, 12.30 – 1.30 pm
• Register HERE

Join Dynamic Ag Livestock Consultant Dr Steve Cotton to hear about managing lambing and lactating ewes when pasture is limited.

These webinars will be recorded.

Land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas – Dry season winter webinar series

Agriculture Victoria is running a series of lunchtime webinars to help farmers manage the dry conditions. The sessions will run for about an hour, with a chance to answer some questions at the end. This is the final session in the webinar series.

• When: Wednesday, 24 July, 12.30 – 1.30 pm
• Register HERE

Join Agriculture Victoria’s Clem Sturmfels for a session about land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas.

Webinars will be recorded.

The GSSA conference at Bendigo on 17-18 July will offer something for everyone.

The central theme will focus on ‘Evidence Based Decision Making’ and the topics have been built around what farmers need to know.

Delegates will be able to choose from 2 bus tours.

One to a property north of Bendigo integrating lucerne into a profitable livestock system and one to a higher rainfall perennial pasture property south of Bendigo.

Topics will include:

• Carbon - An informed farmers perspective
• Carbon neutral livestock production - is it possible?
• Soil carbon and fertility
• Measuring and knowing your soil carbon levels
• Old clover identification and sub optimal clover nodulation
• Paddock livestock weighing
• What bugs You?
• Use of drones in agriculture
• Facial livestock recognition
• Remote pasture measurement
• Running lambs on improved varieties of perennial ryegrass vs more persistent Victorian ryegrass - animal responses above yield responses
• N efficiency and endophytes in ryegrass pastures
• Introduction to fertiliser calculator tool.

Click here for more information - 2024 GSSA Annual Conference

Save the date!

When: Wednesday July 31 and Thursday August 1, 8:30 am - 5 pm.

Where: 2574 Sunraysia Hwy, Speed.

Find out more here.

Save the date!

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

Where: Hamilton Showgrounds.

Buy tickets here.

When: 17 September - 18 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm on day one, 9 am – 3 pm on day two

Where: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, 26 Rokewood–Skipton Rd, Skipton.

Register here.

Kate is an independent farm consultant who has a PhD and extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture. Her expertise is sought by large corporate enterprises but she most enjoys working with farmers that have a commitment to improvement. Using an evidence-based approach, Kate will guide you towards 'excellent farming'.

Topics include:

• Key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
• Income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
• Calculating basic financial benchmarks
• Understanding your personal appetite for risk
• Understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
• Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
• Scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond

Participants who complete the 2-day course and business plans will be eligible for a free, 45–90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.

The Farm Business Resilience Program 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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