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| Empowering Victoria's next marine biosecurity heroes |
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The Victorian Government is empowering the next generation to become marine biosecurity heroes through a new educational activity at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.
SEA LIFE officially launched their Junior Marine Biosecurity Officer program recently, which has been designed to increase marine pest awareness and encourage the reporting of suspected sightings to Agriculture Victoria.
The activity will lead young Victorians along a trail throughout the aquarium, keeping an eye and ear out for information about invasive marine pests along the way and filling out an activity book.
Once participants have completed their activity book, they will receive a certificate that declares them a Junior Marine Biosecurity Officer.
Agriculture Victoria, in partnership with SEA LIFE Melbourne, will run the program throughout May - which is a busy period for school excursions at the aquarium.
Marine pests are highly invasive, non-native animals and plants that can cause significant harm to Victoria's marine environment and once established, are nearly impossible to eradicate.
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and it is collaborations alongside industry like this one that are vital in helping to spread the word about marine biosecurity.
Click here for information on how you can help and Victoria’s ongoing response to marine pests.
To attend SEA LIFE Melbourne and complete the Junior Marine Biosecurity Officer program head to visit sealife.com/melbourne.
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| Trace the origin of your cherries from tree to table |
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Confused about RFID? Watch our video from the Cherry Growers Australia and Agriculture Victoria Cherries Traceability Pilot that takes you behind the scenes of cherry production, showcasing the cutting-edge RFID technology implemented at Cherry Hill Orchards.
Discover how RFID technology automates fruit tracking from harvest to dispatch, ensuring premium quality, integration with global standards, and building capacity for future growth.
Learn from industry leaders about the benefits of automated on-farm traceability, the integration of RFID inventory tracking with the enterprise resource planning ERP system, and the adoption of GS1 Australia traceability standards.
Watch the video here.
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| Episode 5: Designing a farm map with Clem Sturmfels and Ian Powell |
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What is the importance of a farm map?
Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer, explains how a farm map helps livestock owners manage biosecurity risks, manage public access, and meet industry assurance requirements.
Gippsland cattle farmer Ian Powell explains how he created a farm map and how it is used to protect his property from biosecurity risks.
Listen to Biosecurity Basics via the AgVic website.
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| Applications open for Corella Management Grant Program |
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Applications for funding to address the impacts of Long-billed Corella and Little Corella populations on community are now open.
Local government authorities, farmers and committees of management are among those eligible to apply for grants to address agricultural, infrastructural, environmental and social impacts.
A total of $250,000 is available in Victorian Government grant funding.
The Corella Management Grants Program guidelines align with the Victorian Corella Strategy 2022-2032.
The strategy promotes a ‘living with wildlife’ approach to encourage positive attitudes to corellas, as part of a broader strategy for living with wildlife in Victoria.
Find more information about the grant program here.
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| Make this your moment – the Governor of Victoria Export Awards |
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Get ready to shine in the spotlight!
Applications have now opened for the Governor of Victoria Export Awards (GOVEA).
Open to all Victorian exporters, regardless of business size or total export sales, winning a GOVEA isn't just about recognition; it's about catapulting your business to new heights.
GOVEA winners automatically receive a place as finalists in the National Export Awards.
Boost your brand and gain exposure to potential clients, investors, and partners, both locally and globally.
Showcase your innovation to the business community in 2024.
Apply now by visiting global.vic.gov.au/govea
Applications close 14 June.
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Victoria’s bounty collections resumed on 4 March 2024.
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.
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| Free financial counselling with RFCS |
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Have you been impacted by recent floods, storms, 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 the Rural Financial Counselling Service website or call 1300 771 741.
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Get into AgSTEM program in full swing for school year
Agriculture Victoria’s free Get into AgSTEM education program is underway with schools across the state participating.
Read the full media release here.
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Book early for Ballarat sheep and beef conferences
Early bird tickets are now available for BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences to be held on 19 and 20 June in Ballarat, at The Goods Shed.
Read the full media release here.
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Details about Agriculture Victoria events can be found in one spot on our website. Log on to the Events page to keep in touch with upcoming events.
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| Farm Business Resilience Program workshops - East Gippsland and Bass Coast |
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Register now for our free Farm Business Resilience Program workshops.
These sessions, created in partnership with ION Group, are designed to better prepare farmers for and to manage risk, adapt to change, and strengthen their farm businesses.
Topics include:
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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.
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As part of the program, participants will have access to a one-on-one with a professional to develop their farm business plan.
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Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 May - block two.
Register for the Bass Coast sessions here.
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As part of the program, participants will have access to a one-on-one with a professional to develop their farm business plan.
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Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 May - block one
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Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 June - block two.
Register for the East Gippsland sessions here.
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| African Lovegrass Forum - Bairnsdale |
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When: Thursday 23 May, 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Gippsland Agricultural Centre, Bairnsdale.
Register here.
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| Export Development Programme |
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Ready to grow your agri-food and beverage business by exploring export opportunities but not sure where to start? Join us for a free Export Development Programme!
Agriculture Victoria's Pathways to Export is partnering with Export Connect to deliver a series of in-person masterclass workshops in Gippsland and Melbourne and online export strategy webinars.
In-person sessions:
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Friday 24 May – 9 am – 4 pm, Agriculture Victoria Attwood Centre, 475-485 Mickleham Rd.
Webinars:
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Export Pricing: Tuesday 21 May – 2 pm – 4 pm
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Pitch Development: Tuesday 28 May – 2 pm – 4 pm
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International Buyer and Exporter Panel: Tuesday 4 June – 2 pm – 4 pm.
Register for one or more sessions here.
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| Women in Dairy - Making Sense of Milk Price - Drouin and Sale |
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During this workshop, the group will be joined by Gerard Murphy (GDM Agricultural Consulting) and John Droppert (Head of Economics, Data and Insights at Dairy Australia) where they will cover:
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Milk structure pricing
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Understanding milk solid prices and what influences fat and protein
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Production curve and ratio of fat to protein
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Examples of estimates.
Drouin: Tuesday 21 May, 10 am - 1 pm - Drouin Community Hub, 1 Oak Street, Drouin
Sale: Thursday 23 May, 10 am - 1 pm - Sale Greyhound Racing Club, Sale Showgrounds, Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale.
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| Automatic Milking Systems Discussion Group |
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The Automatic Milking Systems Discussion Group is hitting the road and heading up to the MID to visit a 16-box DeLaval robotic dairy.
Milking 1200 cows, the group will discuss the challenges that Alister has faced with such a large farming and robotic system, and the differences in his system, and having to take into consideration irrigation.
When: Thursday 23 May, 11 am - 2 pm
Where: location provided after registration, Tinamba.
Register here.
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| Stock Sense Sheep and Goat Workshop |
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When: Friday May 31, 9:15 am – 1:30 pm
Where: 10 Stones Road, Dollar, South Gippsland
Led by a veteran farmer, Martin Stone, and experienced East Gippsland vet, Dr Alison Gunn, explore everything relating to sheep and goat essentials — from welfare and biosecurity to feed and fencing — equipping you with the knowledge to ensure your farm thrives.
As a bonus, witness a live working dog demo and engage in discussions about the role of the working dog on smaller farms.
Topics covered:
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Learn to condition score your sheep
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Sheep and goat husbandry fundamentals
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Pre and post lambing all you need to know
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Working dog demonstration and discussion.
Admission is free, with lunch provided so registration is essential.
Register here.
For further inquiries, please contact Stock Sense on stocksense@vff.org.au
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| Pastures 101 - MID, West Gippsland and South Gippsland |
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Join GippsDairy for a one-day 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:
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When to graze
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Where to put the strip grazing fence
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When to graze the paddock again
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How to get the most production out of your pasture
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What to do with surplus grass growing.
A light lunch will be provided. Please bring along a chair.
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MID: Wednesday 12 June, 10 am - 3 pm - Nambrok (address provided on registration)
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West Gippsland: Thursday 13 June, 10 am - 3 pm - West Gippsland (address provided on registration)
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South Gippsland: Friday 14 June, 10 am - 3 pm - South Gippsland (address provided on registration).
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| Best Wool/Best Lamb and BetterBeef industry conference and dinner |
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Early bird tickets are now available for BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences!
Early bird tickets will close on Friday 31 May.
Secure your early bird tickets here.
The Best Wool/Best Lamb and BetterBeef conference will be held over 2 days, 19 and 20 June in Ballarat.
Stay up to date via our events page.
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| Grasslands Society of Southern Australia – 54th Annual Conference |
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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:
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Carbon - an informed farmers perspective
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Carbon neutral livestock production - is it possible?
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Soil carbon and fertility
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Measuring and knowing your soil carbon levels
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Old clover identification and sub optimal clover nodulation
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Paddock livestock weighing
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What bugs you?
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Use of drones in agriculture
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Facial livestock recognition
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Remote pasture measurement
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Running lambs on improved varieties of perennial ryegrass vs more persistent Victorian ryegrass - animal responses above yield responses
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N efficiency and endophytes in ryegrass pastures
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Introduction to fertiliser calculator tool.
For more information visit the website.
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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.
Tickets on sale soon.
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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