• Flood and storm information
• Hailstorm support
• Latest ag news
• Keep supporting the ‘Bucks for brains’ project
• Subscribe to Victorian Biosecurity Matters
• Feral pig monitoring videos
• Biosecurity boost for Timor-Leste
• 2023 BestWool/BestLamb conference
• Feedback on biosecurity reform discussion paper
• More skills for young Victorian farmers
• Victorian Gorse Taskforce community grants now open
• Fox and wild dog bounty collection details
• AgVic Talk on all things AgTech and Energy
• Free online training modules for Emergency Animal Disease Awareness
• In case you missed it
• What's on?

Join a webinar on Wednesday 31 May at 11 am to learn about Concessional Loans that are currently available for primary producers impacted by the October 2022 to January 2023 flood and storms event and the 23 March 2023 hailstorm event.

If you have questions, here is your chance to ask them.
Presenters from Agriculture Victoria and Rural Finance will discuss the guidelines and application process.

Applications close on 13 July for the Primary Producer Flood Recovery concessional loan (for floods and storms between Oct 2022 to Jan 2023) and 14 November for the Hailstorm Recovery Concessional Loan (for the hail event on 23 March 2023).

Register online HERE  

For further information call 0427 694 185 or email

A range of support measures are available for flood and storm-affected farmers.

Information about these measures can be found at agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods.

For any urgent animal welfare needs, please contact 136 186. 

Farmers are encouraged to contact the Agriculture Recovery team on 0427 694 185 (Mon-Fri between 8.30 am and 5 pm) or recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Technical information and decision-making support 

Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers and industry to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters (including floods and storms) through delivery of technical information and decision-making support services to help farm business recovery, including:

• grazing, cropping and pasture management
• irrigation and horticulture system rehabilitation
• soil erosion management 
• land management
• animal health and nutrition 
• farm mapping and planning 
• water quality
• weed management.

Ag recovery newsletter

Farmers and service providers are encouraged to subscribe to the ag recovery digital newsletter to access latest events and information.

Ag recovery events

For information on events and field days across the state please visit the Events page on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery package

Flood and storm-affected farmers and growers are eligible to apply for financial support via the current flood recovery grants.

Applications for primary producer and rural landholder financial supports related to the October 2022 to 13 January 2023 flood and storm event have been extended to 13 July 2023.

Applications close at 4 pm on Thursday 13 July 2023.

The extension applies to:

1. Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to support the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again. Note: This replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up, Relief Grants announced on 19 October. Producers that have received a Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Primary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000.
2. Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to support the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.
3. Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover short-term business expenses. This loan has been amended to allow primary producers who suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the 2022 Victorian floods and storms but who did not suffer direct damage to assets to apply for a concessional loan of up to $100,000.
4. Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

To apply for support or for more information, visit the Rural Finance website.

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free and independent financial information, options, decision-making support and referral services to farmers and small, related rural businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship.

They can also assist farmers to apply for financial assistance.

To connect with your local service call 1300 771 741 or visit the National Emergency Management Agency

National Centre for Farmer Health: flood response support

The National Centre for Farmer Health is committed to supporting primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were damaged or lost in the floods and storms through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing, including:

• A supportive online community through the #BuildingFarmSpirit social media campaign
• Free access to online psychology support delivered by farmer health trained psychologists
• Support for community events providing social connection and mental health promotion opportunities for farmers, farming families and farming communities
• Distribution of mental health resources and support information.

More information is available on the National Centre for Farmer Health website.

The Victorian Government is supporting growers and farmers in the City of Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges Council local government areas affected by the 23 March 2023 hailstorm event to get back in business, with concessional loans to support their relief and recovery efforts.

A Hailstorm Primary Producer Concessional Loan of up to $250,000 to restore and replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway is available, with applications closing at 4pm on 14 November 2023.

Growers and farmers whose properties were impacted or suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the March 2023 hailstorm event can apply.

Rural Finance administers this program which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Visit the Rural Finance website for application forms and program guidelines or call Rural Finance on 1800 260 25 if you have any questions.

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

I’m sure most farmers have heard of the Bucks for Brains initiative, which provides generous incentive payments for livestock owners who submit eligible sheep and cattle brains for testing. In doing so, this ongoing testing helps Australia maintain market access for its livestock industries.

To be considered eligible, the animal must be alive at presentation to a veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria staff and showing neurological signs, which include circling, blindness or abnormal behaviour.

Bucks for Brains is a vital initiative of the National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Surveillance Project (NTSESP).

NTSESP is tasked with confirming Australia’s proof of freedom from rare fatal brain and other central nervous system diseases called Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs).

The damaging effects that TSEs can have on a country's livestock industry and economy were made clear during the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as ‘mad cow disease’, in the United Kingdom, and following detection in Canada and United States.

BSE is a disease that emerged in the 1980s through the feeding of meat meal contaminated with an infectious agent known as a prion.

The disease causes an untreatable, progressive, degenerative condition of the brain leading to a range of neurological signs – therefore gaining the name, mad cow disease.

With cases in the UK and several European countries, plus the prior export of meat meal from Europe to other countries, it is not clear how far the disease may have spread.

In Australia, we are in the fortunate position of being considered one of the least likely countries in the world to have BSE.

To firmly claim our livestock are free of BSE, we are required to have a surveillance system to demonstrate that declaration.

The surveillance program is based on the post-mortem examination of sheep over 18 months of age and cattle over 30 months that show neurological signs, to demonstrate and confirm they do not have BSE and to give another explanation of their symptoms.

The suspect animal is put down humanely, then the Ag Vic veterinary officer or private veterinarian will perform the autopsy and take the necessary samples for analysis.

An incentive of $100 for sheep and $300 for cattle is available to livestock owners to help ensure we continue to demonstrate our freedom. In addition, all laboratory investigations and costs are covered as part of the scheme.

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

Agriculture Victoria has launched a new monthly e-newsletter, Victorian Biosecurity Matters, to serve as a key hub for all biosecurity-related content.

The monthly publication will cover topics such as emergency animal diseases, marine pests, pest animals, plant diseases, weeds, pest insects and mites, food safety and on-farm biosecurity plans.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, Victorian Biosecurity Matters has something for everyone.

Subscribing to the free newsletter is easy.

Feral pigs are becoming an increasing threat to biosecurity, agricultural production and the natural environment in Victoria.

Learn more about feral pigs and control methods HERE

Agriculture Victoria scientists are working with our close neighbour, Timor-Leste, to boost local animal health and help safeguard Australia from exotic animal diseases.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has funded Agriculture Victoria $3.5 million over 5 years to extend biosecurity training to scientists, technicians and farmers in Timor-Leste, building on work undertaken over the past 3 years.

The project, which initially focussed on diagnosing and managing African swine fever, has been extended to look at a range of diseases including classical swine fever, Foot-and-mouth disease, and Lumpy skin disease, and will include testing of all livestock species.

Agriculture Victoria Research Leader Grant Rawlin said the biosecurity and emergency animal disease work supported by Agriculture Victoria has enabled Timor-Leste to diagnose and control disease outbreaks which may have otherwise cost the agriculture industry up to an estimated $90 million.

‘Agriculture Victoria is proud to have supported Timor-Leste’s ability to successfully diagnose and control several animal disease outbreaks within 48 hours.

‘The timely diagnosis and control of animal disease outbreaks means less livestock are impacted, the disease doesn’t spread as far, and farmers can quickly resume their operations,’ Dr Rawlin said.

Dr Rawlin was on-the-ground during the 2019 African swine fever outbreak in Timor-Leste and recently spent a month leading a team training local veterinarians on how to use a range of diagnostic tools, including a real-time method for detecting different microbial agents in animal samples, and a highly specific, low cost, fast and portable test for pathogenic viruses.

‘The collaboration has bolstered the local agriculture industry’s response efforts and deepened our relationship with Timor-Leste. It also gave our experts invaluable insight into on-the-ground emergency animal disease management and control.’

Caitlin Wilson, Chargé d’Affaires at the Australian Embassy Dili said the initiative demonstrated Australia’s deep and enduring commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s food security and economic priorities.

‘Maintaining a healthy, productive and profitable livestock industry not only contributes to jobs and economic development for Timor-Leste, but also helps meet domestic demand for nutritious protein.

‘Australia is proud to be working with our Timor-Leste partners to strengthen their biosecurity systems as part of regional efforts to combat exotic animal pests and diseases such as African swine fever, Foot and mouth disease and Lumpy skin disease.’

The program also includes sponsorship of Timorese veterinarians and researchers to visit Agriculture Victoria research sites in Australia to undertake research alongside our staff and expand their knowledge. Vets and scientists are visiting AgriBio over the next few months.

The Australian Government investment of $3.5 million was launched at the Timor-Leste Veterinary Medicine Association conference in Dili in March.

Dignitaries and delegates from seven nations gathered to celebrate the program's success to date and look forward to making further advancements in protecting agriculture from biosecurity threats.

For more information about our research visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Agriculture Victoria invites sheep producers and the broader sheep industry to join us at the 2023 BestWool/BestLamb conference and pre-conference dinner in Bendigo on Monday evening and Tuesday, 19-20 June.

The pre-conference dinner will take place on the Monday evening at the All Seasons Resort Hotel in Bendigo to celebrate 25 years of the BestWool/BestLamb program.

Mark Wales, former Special Operations Commander and winner of TV series Australian Survivor, will be the special dinner speaker.

As a former special operations commander, Mark is used to operating in dynamic, high stress situations where personal and team performance means the difference between life and death.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Technical Specialist Lyndon Kubeil said it’s a chance to hear how Mark was able to use his experience leading an elite special forces team in combat to drive decision making and personal performance.

‘The line-up of speakers the next day at the conference will inform, challenge and excite participants with the most up to date sheep industry research and information, as well as provide a great opportunity for networking.

‘The format is a one-day event featuring concurrent sessions so participants can attend sessions that are relevant and of interest to them, plus trade displays and the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) shearing race delivery demonstration,’ Mr Kubeil said.

Presentations will include Dr Alex Ball, who will take a look back at the last 25 years of the sheep industry and provide his insights going forward for the next 25.

Will Barton from Gundagai Meats will challenge those attending with lamb production of the future and Chris Howie will make them think about the agent of the future and the producer/agent relationship, ensuring it adds value to your business.

Prof. Phil Hynd will update the audience on the latest developments with the wool bio-harvesting project and explore if this could be part of the solution?

Mr Kubeil said it’s hard to highlight only a few of many great presentations, however also of note, Jim Walsh will give the latest on the brand-new oral lice control product, which could be an absolute game changer.

‘Traditionally, the annual Bendigo conference attracts well over 300 participants, so we recommend you book early,’ he said.

Early bird registrations are on sale until 31 May.

Visit TryBooking to view the conference program and register.

For more information, please contact Lyndon Kubeil on 0418 532 085 or EMAIL

A summary of feedback received on the Reforming Victoria’s biosecurity legislation discussion paper has been released.

The feedback will help government to better understand stakeholder and community views and will inform any future reform.

Read the Discussion Paper and Engagement Report  on the Engage Victoria website

Looking to extend your skills?

We’re making it easier than ever for young farmers to learn new skills for their chosen career or retrain to get the job of their dreams.

Even with a previous qualification, Victorians are now eligible for Free TAFE and other government-subsidised courses, giving an additional 2 million Victorians access to more than 500 courses without having to pay full fees.

With free TAFE, you could undertake courses in agriculture, dairy production, horticulture and more without the cost of tuition.

Want to know more? Find the course you’re looking for HERE 

Speak with your local community group about applying for a VGT grant.

Funding
Community groups may apply for funding up to $8,000 for on-ground gorse control works on private land. All participating landholders involved may receive up to $1,500 in grant funding and must match this with their own monetary contribution.

Timeline
The 2023-24 Community Grants Program is now open and will close on 30 June 2023. If gorse is a problem across your area the VGT encourages you to connect with your local community group and apply now.

Eligibility

• Grants are available to Victorian community groups e.g., Landcare or Friends of Groups only.
• Funding is available for gorse control on private land only.
• Projects must promote and carry out gorse control that aligns with the Gorse National Best Practice Manual.
• Incentives to participating individual properties must be capped at $1,500 per property ownership.
• Participating landholders must sign a three-year voluntary work agreement that commits them to maintaining all necessary follow-up gorse control at their expense.

For more information and to check out the grant guidelines and application form click HERE

Or send your inquiry to info@vicgorsetaskforce.com.au

Participants are reminded the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty is now digital.

Agriculture Victoria introduced the new system last year to streamline the application process, reduce wait times at collection centres and allow participants to keep track of bounty applications.

To register for the digital system visit our bounty homepage and follow the prompts.

For assistance, please chat to our bounty collection staff on collections days or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Tatura collections

Address: Depot, 255 Ferguson Road, Tatura.

Collection type: Fox only

Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

• Monday 29 May
• Monday 26 June
• Monday 24 July
• Monday 21 August
• Monday18 September
• Monday 16 October.

Wodonga collections

Address: 14 Moorefield Park Drive, Wodonga.

Collection type: Fox and wild dog

Time: 9 – 11 am

• Tuesday 30 May
• Tuesday 27 June
• Tuesday 25 July
• Tuesday 22 August
• Tuesday 19 September
• Tuesday 17 October.

Ovens collections

Address: 5338 Great Alpine Road, Ovens.

Collection type: Fox and wild dog

Time: 1:30 – 3:30 pm

• Tuesday 30 May
• Tuesday 27 June
• Tuesday 25 July
• Tuesday 22 August
• Tuesday 19 September
• Tuesday 17 October.

Benalla collections

Address: Depot, 89 Sydney Road, Benalla.

Collection type: Fox only

Time: 10 am – noon

• Wednesday 31 May
• Wednesday 28 June
• Wednesday 26 July
• Wednesday 23 August
• Wednesday 20 September
• Wednesday 18 October.

Mansfield collections

Address: Depot, 128 Highett Street, Mansfield.

Collection type: Fox and wild dog

Time: 2 – 4 pm

• Wednesday 31 May
• Wednesday 28 June
• Wednesday 26 July
• Wednesday 23 August
• Wednesday 20 September
• Wednesday 18 October.

Broadford collections

Address: 5 Mollinson Street, Broadford.

Collection type: Fox only

Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

• Thursday 1 June
• Thursday 29 June
• Thursday 27 July
• Thursday 24 August
• Thursday 21 September
• Thursday 19 October.

Bendigo collections – fox only

Address: Corner Midland Highway and Taylor Street, Epsom.

Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

• Tuesday 13 June
• Monday 10 July
• Monday 7 August
• Monday 4 September
• Monday 2 October
• Monday 30 October.

AgVic Talk podcast is back for season five, this time talking about the future of Agricultural Technologies (AgTech) and Energy.

From solar-powered poultry farms to on-farm drone trials and the difficulties of connectivity in rural and remote areas, this season covers everything you need to further understand the evolving world of AgTech and Energy.

These 14 episodes are the latest in the AgVic Talk series, which began as a pilot in August 2020 to cover contemporary commentary on how members of the agricultural community recover, grow, modernise, protect, and promote Victorian agriculture.

You can subscribe and listen to AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts:

• Subscribe to AgVic Talk on Spotify
• Subscribe to Apple podcasts.

Farmers across Victoria are encouraged to complete a series of free online training modules to help them protect their animals from diseases and biosecurity threats.

Agriculture Victoria’s online training modules aim to give farmers an overview of the risk and impacts of an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak.

They raise awareness of Foot-and mouth disease and Lumpy skin disease, what a livestock standstill means for the industry and how people can visit farming properties safely.

The four modules include:

• Foot-and-mouth disease awareness
• Lumpy skin disease awareness
• Come clean, stay clean, go clean – when visiting farms
• Livestock standstill for Foot-and-mouth disease.

Each module takes about 15 minutes to complete. To get started, click here.

Understanding chemical impact on beneficial insects in grain paddocks

However beneficial insects also play an important role in farming and now understanding how and what chemistries to use to protect these 'paddock helpers’ is easier than ever.

Healthy populations of beneficial insect can suppress pests and despite grain growers being keen to preserve these natural helpers, integrated pest management programs have been challenging, because there was no integrated, scientifically proven guide explaining the impact commonly used insecticides have on beneficials.

Read the 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.

The Ag Vic 2023 BestWool/BestLamb Conference will be held at the Bendigo Showgrounds on Tuesday 20 June.

A pre-conference dinner will take place on Monday 19 June at the All Seasons Resort Hotel in Bendigo to celebrate 25 years of the BestWool/BestLamb program.

Our dinner guest speaker will be Mark Wales, former SAS and winner of TV series Australian Survivor.

The line-up of conference speakers is sure to inform, challenge and excite participants with the most up to date sheep industry research and information.

Early bird registrations are now on sale until 31 May.

For the conference program and registration click HERE

For more information contact Lyndon Kubeil on 0418 532 085 or email

Join a webinar on Wednesday 31 May at 11 am to learn about Concessional Loans that are currently available for primary producers impacted by the October 2022 to January 2023 flood and storms event and the 23 March 2023 hailstorm event.

If you have questions, here is your chance to ask them.
Presenters from Agriculture Victoria and Rural Finance will discuss the guidelines and application process.

Applications close on 13 July for the Primary Producer Flood Recovery concessional loan (for floods and storms between Oct 2022 to Jan 2023) and 14 November for the Hailstorm Recovery Concessional Loan (for the hail event on 23 March 2023).

Register online HERE 

For further information call 0427 694 185 or email

Join us for a practical workshop that will help you assess the current state of your pastures to decide what action to take to optimise pasture growth, quality and sustainability.

Thursday 1 June, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Meet at Marg and Peter Richards shearing shed, 220 Tehan Road, Timmering

Hosted by the Timmering BWBL group.

Hands-on practical sessions in the paddock. Please wear clean, appropriate footwear and clothing and bring a chair. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics

• Objectively assess the current state of your pastures using MLA’s Pasture Paramedic
• Identify constraints to pasture growth, feed quality and utilisation
• Use grazing management to improve productivity and persistence of pastures and reduce weeds
• Assess pasture performance using tools/apps to record livestock movements
• Livestock feeding tools
• Flood and storm support available.

Presenters

• Lisa Warn (Ag Consulting) Managing ewe and feed requirements for pregnancy management and beyond.
• Erica Schelfhorst (Ag Vic) Tools available to plan livestock feeding requirements.

Registration and information contact Erica Schelfhorst
on 0429 807 689 or email

Join us for a practical workshop that will help you assess the current state of your pastures to decide what action to take to optimise pasture growth, quality and sustainability.

Tuesday 6 June, 9:30 am – 3 pm

CFA shed Barraport West Road, Barraport

Hosted by the Boort BWBL group

Hands-on practical sessions in the paddock. Please wear clean, appropriate footwear and clothing and bring a chair. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics

• Objectively assess the current state of your pastures using MLA’s Pasture Paramedic
• Identify constraints to pasture growth, feed quality and utilisation
• Use grazing management to improve productivity and persistence of pastures and reduce weeds
• Assess pasture performance using tools/apps to record livestock movements
• Livestock feeding tools
• Flood and storm support available.

Presenters

• Lisa Warn (Ag Consulting) Managing ewe and feed requirements for pregnancy management and beyond.
• Erica Schelfhorst (Ag Vic) Tools available to plan livestock feeding requirements.

Registration and information contact Erica Schelfhorst
on 0429 807 689 or email

This field day will comprise some presentations at the Mudgegonga Hall and an afternoon in the paddock. The field day is designed to look at the practicalities of what farm emissions look like and what options there are for reducing them.

When: Wednesday 7 June, 9:30 am – 4 pm

Where: Mudgegonga Public Hall, 1395 Myrtleford-Yackandandah Road, Mudgegonga

Case studies and practical information will be supplied so that you can go away and consider some of these opportunities in your operation.

Many of the terms provided by the media will be demystified and discussed as part of the day. This day will discuss where things are up to with respect to farms and emissions, the day will provide a chance to understand some of the main themes around the topic.

Tickets are $30, booking fee for venue and catering.

For tickets click here

For more information, contact Lachlan Campbell on lachlan.campbell@necma.vic.gov.au or call 0400 852 482.

Join us for a practical workshop that will help you assess the current state of your pastures to decide what action to take to optimise pasture growth, quality and sustainability.

Wednesday 7 June, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Baynton Hall, Baynton, Located on Darlington Road

Hosted by the Burke & Wills BWBL group

Hands-on practical sessions in the paddock. Please wear clean, appropriate footwear and clothing and bring a chair. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics

• Objectively assess the current state of your pastures using MLA’s Pasture Paramedic
• Identify constraints to pasture growth, feed quality and utilisation
• Use grazing management to improve productivity and persistence of pastures and reduce weeds
• Assess pasture performance using tools/apps to record livestock movements
• Livestock feeding tools
• Flood and storm support available.

Presenters

• Lisa Warn (Ag Consulting) Managing ewe and feed requirements for pregnancy management and beyond.
• Erica Schelfhorst (Ag Vic) Tools available to plan livestock feeding requirements.

Registration and information contact Erica Schelfhorst
on 0429 807 689 or email

Irrigators book now for two climate outlook webinars – the focus for irrigators on reading and using climate driver information, outlooks, forecasts, and climate tools, to make better irrigation decisions around climate risk. Dale Grey, Seasonal Risk Agronomist will present both webinars.

Webinar 1, on Wednesday 14 June 1-2 pm, will focus on drivers and effect on our weather; short- and long-term cycles; seasonal and regional impacts and possible long-term outlooks and water availability. 

Webinar 2, on Wednesday 21 June 1-2 pm, will focus on finding credible outlooks, what influences outlook and forecasts; using a combination of tools to manage climate risk and looking at the current outlook. 

To register go HERE

For more info please contact Rob on 0408 515 652 or email

Two experts in the biosecurity world will teach us about what biosecurity planning entails.

14 June, from 6-7:15 pm

Dr Joan Lloyd (Joan Lloyd Consulting) has over 37 years’ experience in the animal health industry. She will be speaking about biosecurity planning and identifying disease risks.

Dr Jeff Cave (Ag Vic Senior Veterinary Officer) will be speaking about FMD and LSD, traceability and animal health declarations to manage incoming disease.

There will be opportunities for questions so make sure to register!

Register HERE

Wednesday 14 June, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Shamrock Hotel, 5-13 Melville St, Numurkah

Everyone has a role in minimising biosecurity risks and impacts to the industry.

Agriculture Victoria is delivering this biosecurity workshop for Victorian dairy farmers to help you develop a biosecurity plan which can be used in conjunction with your current milk quality and LPA requirements.

This workshop will provide you with increased knowledge of how to better protect your livestock from pests and disease and how simple, practical, low cost, good biosecurity practices can be built into daily farm activities.

Topics include

• Developing a biosecurity plan
• Designing a farm map
• Implementing a biosecurity plan – what you can do now.

A light lunch is included.

If you feel unwell, please do not attend this event.

Note: If you have already commenced a biosecurity plan, please bring it and your laptop along to the workshop.

For more information contact Richard Smith on richard.m.smith@agriculture.vic.gov.au or 0436 803 765.

Thursday 15 June at 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Tallangatta Football Club; Address: 2c Akuna Ave, Tallangatta

Everyone has a role in minimising biosecurity risks and impacts to the industry.

Agriculture Victoria is delivering this biosecurity workshop for Victorian dairy farmers to help you develop a biosecurity plan which can be used in conjunction with your current milk quality and LPA requirements.

This workshop will provide you with increased knowledge of how to better protect your livestock from pests and disease and how simple, practical, low cost, good biosecurity practices can be built into daily farm activities.

Topics include

• Developing a biosecurity plan
• Designing a farm map
• Implementing a biosecurity plan – what you can do now.

A light lunch is included.

If you feel unwell, please do not attend this event.

Note: If you have already commenced a biosecurity plan, please bring it and your laptop along to the workshop.

For more information contact Richard Smith on richard.m.smith@agriculture.vic.gov.au or 0436 803 765.

Join us for a practical workshop that will help you understand livestock feed demands, pasture targets and setting targets over the year.

Thursday 15 June, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Elmore Football Netball Club, Raywood Road, Elmore.

Hosted by the Campaspe BWBL group.

Hands-on practical sessions in the paddock. Please wear clean, appropriate footwear and clothing and bring a chair. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics

• Assess pastures for feed quantity and quality
• Calculate pasture growth rates
• Construct feed budgets (three types will be demonstrated – are stock getting enough to eat, how long will paddock last and three month budgets
• Options to manage seasonal variation in feed supply (supplementary feeding, stock containment, increasing feed supply using Nitrogen, Gibberellic acid, rotational grazing
• Apply tools to calculate supplementary feed requirements.
• Flood and storm support available.

Presenters

• Lisa Warn (Ag Consulting) Managing ewe and feed requirements for pregnancy management and beyond.
• Erica Schelfhorst (Ag Vic) Tools available to plan livestock feeding requirements.

Registration and information contact Erica Schelfhorst on 0429 807 689 or email

Join us for a practical workshop that will help you understand livestock feed demands, pasture targets and setting targets over the year.

Tuesday 27 June, 9:30 am – 3 pm

Baynton Hall, Darlington Road, Baynton.

Hosted by the Burke & Wills BWBL group.

Hands-on practical sessions in the paddock. Please wear clean, appropriate footwear and clothing and bring a chair. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics

• Assess pastures for feed quantity and quality
• Calculate pasture growth rates
• Construct feed budgets (three types will be demonstrated – are stock getting enough to eat, how long will paddock last and three month budgets
• Options to manage seasonal variation in feed supply (supplementary feeding, stock containment, increasing feed supply using Nitrogen, Gibberellic acid, rotational grazing
• Apply tools to calculate supplementary feed requirements.
• Flood and storm support available.

Presenters

• Lisa Warn (Ag Consulting) Managing ewe and feed requirements for pregnancy management and beyond.
• Erica Schelfhorst (Ag Vic) Tools available to plan livestock feeding requirements.

Registration and information contact Erica Schelfhorst on 0429 807 689 or email

Friday 21 July at Rich River Golf, Moama, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Irrigation insights is a collaborative, cross industry event which addresses the needs of grain, rice, cotton and dairy farmers in Northern Victoria and southern NSW.

As a cross-industry event, we bring researchers, experts, key thinkers and primary producers from multiple sectors together to explore irrigated agriculture and learn how multiple industries are tackling the big issues and opportunities facing agriculture

Program highlights
Session 1 – Navigating our Changing Climate
With our changing climate it’s vital for farmers and industry to understand how they can adapt their farming system to thrive in the future. Gain an insight into bridging the gap between predications and practice in terms of climate and our water operating environment.

Session 2 – Resilient Irrigated Farm Systems
Irrigation systems and technologies are changing, providing growers with more options for effectively using water effectively on farm to maximise production and minimise losses. Hear from the experts about the latest advances and information on different irrigation and farm systems.

Session 3 – Soils in Focus
Soils are the foundation of every irrigated farm system; this session explores our soils and how we ensure we maintain and improve this valuable asset.

Session 4 – Grounding AgTech in practice
There are lots of opportunities with AgTech – sensors, automation, farm management software, imagery, and smart farm equipment that offer huge benefits, hear more about what’s available and how farmers are engaging with them to enable best practice.

For more details and to register go to 2023 Irrigation Insights Conference – Irrigated Cropping Council

Registrations are now open for the Future Drought Fund’s 2023 Science to Practice Forum, 6-8 June 2023.

The annual forum is a showcase of the innovative tools and practices helping Australian farmers and communities respond to a changing climate and prepare for future drought.

Award-winning television journalist and presenter of ABC TV’s Landline, Pip Courtney, will host this year’s online forum and facilitate engaging discussions, with each day focussed on a particular theme:

• Tuesday 6 June – Research and Development: Data-driven projects, stories around research trials and outcomes, future-driven content and content relevant to opportunities under the Future Drought Fund for Natural Resource Management, farming systems groups and research bodies.
• Wednesday 7 June – Farmers, Producers and Agricultural Advisors: Stories of drought and preparing for it, ‘call-to-action’ presentations, content relevant to opportunities under the FDF for producers and their communities, farmer and farm-advisor delivered stories.
• Thursday 8 June – Community and Policy: Community and social projects, including presentations on farmer wellbeing and community resilience in the context of drought, policy discussions and input from FDF network partners.

The forum connects participants to research and activities building the sustainability of Australian agriculture and is an opportunity to collaborate and network with like-minded people.

Register for the 2023 Science to Practice Forum via Eventbrite.

Victorian dairy farmers are invited to join Agriculture Victoria’s upcoming workshops to learn about developing and updating their on-farm biosecurity plan.

Three workshops will be held on 14 and 15 June at Tallangatta, Rochester and Numurkah.

It is critical that dairy producers have an updated on-farm biosecurity plan, to safeguard their businesses, industry and our state from emergency animal diseases and pests.

With many dairy farmers currently active in building or upgrading feeding and housing infrastructure, there are more people than usual, such as contractors, visiting farms.

During these workshops, participants will learn how to understand the emerging biosecurity threats to agriculture, identify potential biosecurity risks, and develop a property specific plan tailored to individual farm needs.

These workshops are being delivered to ensure Victorian dairy farmers are equipped with the information and skills they need to develop an effective on-farm biosecurity plan.

To find out more or to register your interest call or text Richard Smith on 0436 803 765.

From 3-8 December scientists, industry experts and leading horticultural and viticultural growers will converge on Tatura for the Second International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards & Vineyards (PMOV23).

Agriculture Victoria is accepting Abstract Submissions for PMOV23 (ccem.eventsair.com/pmov2023/) until 31 May.

More information will be available in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled!

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