• Victoria’s ag sector united in taking climate action
• Foot-and-mouth disease information
• Surveillance of animal disease in Victoria
• Don't feed swill to pigs
• Have your say on Victoria’s biosecurity laws
• Preparedness is key
• BeeMAX registration and surveillance database
• Caring and protecting for Victoria’s animals
• AgVic Talk – pastoral care for seasonal workers
• Upcoming fox and wild dog bounty collections for South East Victoria
• ICYMI
• What's on

Image Caption: Statement launch attendees, L- R:  Matt Lowe (CEO, Agriculture Victoria), Greg Morris (Agriculture Victoria), Craig Taverner (CEO, Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria), Fiona Davis (CEO, Farmers for Climate Action), Susannah Tymms (Dairy Australia), Emma Germano (President, Victorian Farmers Federation), Robyn McLean (GippsDairy), Tom McIntosh (MLC Eastern Victoria), Pablo Alvarez (Agriculture Victoria), David Brennan (Chair, VicCatchments), Joe Jacobs (Agriculture Victoria), Leah Marrett (Agriculture Victoria), Hon Gayle Tierney MP, Gillian Hayman (VACCC member), Jack Holden (VACCC member), Nicola Pero (CEO, Food & Fibre Gippsland), Chris Buckingham (CEO, Latrobe Valley Authority), Jennifer Duke (Agriculture Victoria). Also in attendance: Bret Ryan (CEO, Southern Farming Systems), Margaret Jewell (Meat & Livestock Australia)

A new plan to build a climate-resilient agriculture sector in Victoria by reducing emissions and collaborating with industry and community has been released by the Victorian Government.

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney this week launched the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Statement at Agriculture Victoria’s Ellinbank SmartFarm.

The statement outlines a plan towards a profitable and productive agriculture sector that takes action on climate change, and is a key part of the Agriculture Sector Pledge released in May last year.

The statement has been supported by the Victorian Farmers Federation and Farmers for Climate Action.

Developed over the last 12 months, the statement has been informed by engagement through the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council and more than 90 stakeholders and 45 organisations have had their input.

The statement backs in a plan for agriculture industries to become more climate resilient with projects already underway to address climate change challenges.

At Ellinbank SmartFarm the government is delivering on the Agriculture Sector Pledge, with researchers testing technologies and practices to reduce emissions with an ambitious target of being the world’s first carbon-neutral dairy farm by 2026.

The Victorian Government’s Climate Change Strategy, the 10-year Agriculture Strategy, and the Agriculture Sector Pledge all play a vital role in building a climate-resilient Victorian agriculture sector by reducing emissions and collaborating with industry and community to understand, adapt and grow as Victoria targets net zero.

To view the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Statement visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-statement.

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

Victoria’s livestock industries are fortunate to be free of most of the serious diseases that affect animals in other parts of the world.

Despite this fact, on-going surveillance for new or exotic disease is important to protect our livestock, to reassure our trading partners of Victoria’s favourable disease status, and to ensure the early detection of diseases that might impact on trade, public health, and farm or regional productivity.

Early detection of emerging or exotic disease is the key to their effective management and this relies on farmers, vets and government working together.

In the course of doing farm visits and treating livestock, veterinary practitioners must remain vigilant and consider the possibility of new, unusual or exotic diseases.

Agriculture Victoria has an initiative that allows veterinarians who investigate and report on outbreaks of unusual or significant animal disease to be paid a subsidy to help cover the cost of the investigation and associated laboratory fees.

The subsidy program increases the likelihood of early reporting of a serious animal disease and assists with costs associated with any subsequent investigation. Payment of subsidies is conditional upon approval being given by Agriculture Victoria before the investigation begins.

This subsidy can be paid when:

• a large number of animals are affected or there is an unusual presentation of a disease
• an initial investigation fails to establish a diagnosis, or veterinary treatment does not produce the expected response
• clinical signs are consistent with an emergency disease without a clear alternative diagnosis
• there is a possible effect on trade, public health or the viability of a farm, industry or region.

When an exotic or emergency disease is suspected, Agriculture Victoria will undertake the disease investigation and cover the full cost of the investigation.

Producers and animal owners should immediately report suspected or identified exotic disease to their vet or the 24-hour emergency animal disease watch hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information about Victoria’s significant animal disease program, including how to access subsidies, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Did you know that food waste – swill – containing meat or other animal by-products must not be fed to pigs as it may contain viruses that cause diseases in animals?

Australia is free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Feeding pigs waste food containing meat and meat products, irrespective of whether they are locally produced or imported, or imported dairy products puts this at risk.

Banning the feeding of prohibited food waste to pigs provides an important defence against the introduction of FMD or African Swine Fever to Australia.

Learn more about what you can and can’t feed to pigs here.

Victorians now have the opportunity to shape the future of biosecurity as the Victorian Government works to safeguard the agriculture sector.

The government has released a discussion paper setting out key topics to guide reforms to Victoria's biosecurity legislation.

Public feedback on Victoria’s current biosecurity system is vital to ensure it remains effective, including the legislation that underpins it.

Strong and modern biosecurity laws will ensure Victoria maintains its reputation as a producer and exporter of safe and high-quality produce.

Legislative reform also provides an opportunity to develop laws that address risks, and support new ways for government, industry and the community to work together.

Combining the laws relating to animals, plants and pests currently provided across multiple pieces of legislation into a single Biosecurity Act will help make everyone’s responsibilities clear.

There is also opportunity to consider how biosecurity legislation can emphasise that biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and to recognise Traditional Owner rights and knowledge systems in Caring for Country.

This is the first time Victorians have the opportunity to have their say on combining the biosecurity laws.

Feedback received will help the government understand the priorities of the public and guide the development of new policies.

The reform delivers on the government’s ambitious 10-year agriculture strategy, ensuring the sector is well-placed to guard against future risk.

Community members can complete a survey or make a submission by midnight, Sunday 9 October 2022 via engage.vic.gov.au.

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

There is no way of knowing when or where in Australia an exotic disease outbreak may occur, so to be prepared, we need an accurate and up-to-date database at all times.

That’s why in Victoria, when livestock are moved between two properties with different property identification codes (PICs) the transfer must record on the NLIS database within two days.

The person responsible for updating the NLIS database has been legally defined to ensure all responsible parties are aware of the transfer.

If you are buying cattle, sheep or goats from a sale yard, scale, or on-farm public auction, or selling them directly to an abattoir, it is the responsibility of the person operating the business to notify the database.

Otherwise, if you buy livestock privately, or through an online selling platform such as AuctionsPlus, Gumtree or Facebook, or if you receive livestock through agistment or a loan, it is your responsibility to notify the database.

You can engage a third party such as the vendor or a stock agent to do this, but you are still required to ensure the transfer was completed on your behalf.

What if you are not sure if the NLIS database is accurate for your PIC? Then it may be time to reconcile your PIC.

This is like a stocktake, where you compare all NLIS devices on your property, both attached to livestock and those not used to those on the NLIS database. The NLIS database will provide instructions on what to do with any discrepancies.

For further information on recording property to property movements please either visit www.nlis.com.au, contact the NLIS Helpdesk on 1800 654 743, or at support@nlis.com.au.

Have you heard the buzz? It’s all about BeeMAX.

BeeMAX is free, quick, and easy to use – and it’s a simple way of maintaining your record keeping obligations under the Livestock Disease and Control Regulations.

Whether you’re a backyard beekeeper or keep commercial quantities of hives, the BeeMAX electronic diary is a central place to record all your biosecurity activities and observations including:

• pest and disease inspections and testing
• swarm collection data
• the movement of bees and equipment
• biosecurity training completed.

Learn more here or visit BeeMAX here.

The Victorian Government is supporting Victorian pet rescue groups so more dogs and cats find their forever home.

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney last week announced Round 2 of the Victorian Government’s Individual Pet Rehoming Grants with $1.25 million in funding available to pet rescue organisations providing vital rehoming services.

Eligible organisations may apply to be reimbursed for $500 per dog and $200 per cat for some rehoming costs including: desexing, microchipping, vaccinations, the purchase of crates, bedding and leads, and training or rehabilitation.

The first round of the Individual Pet Rehoming Grants, in 2021-22, provided 464 grants that contributed to the rehoming costs of more than 4000 cats and 1400 dogs.

The grants recognise the significant role pets have in the lives of Victorians and encourage responsible pet ownership.

It comes as the government continues to work on modernising the state’s animal care and protection laws, with Victorians encouraged to have their say on a plan for the new laws.

The Animal Care Plan, informed by previous industry and community consultation, explains what would change from how the current laws work.

Minimum care requirements for animals in the care and control of people would be set in Victorian law for the first time, which would enable earlier intervention to prevent cruelty before it happens.

A new category of cruelty offence would be introduced of intentional or reckless cruelty for the most serious types of cruelty, with significant penalties applying.

The feedback will inform the development of draft legislation to replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The public can read the plan for the new laws and provide feedback at engage.vic.gov.au until Sunday 16 October 2022.

For more information on Individual Pet Rehoming grants and to apply visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Crucial to the success of the Sunraysia food bowl are the estimated 15,000 seasonal workers who pick crops and maintain orchards. 
 
In this episode of AgVic Talk, we talk with Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council (SMECC) Pastoral Care Program coordinator Corey Iredale and pastoral care worker Viliami Vea.

Viliami began as a seasonal worker at 21 and now generously gives back to his community as a SMECC pastoral care worker. 
 
Corey and Viliami talk about keeping seasonal workers healthy and happy and supporting them to stay in the region. 

🎧Listen🎧 online via the AgVic website

Victorian fox and wild dog collections continue.

Electronic funds transfer (EFT) is the preferred method of payment, so please bring your EFT details to the collection centre.

Acceptable entire fox scalps and entire wild dog body parts will be collected from eligible members of the public at specific dates and times, and from sites scheduled as collection centres.

Please note that no entire fox scalps or entire wild dog body parts will be accepted at any public counter or state government office. Collections will only be accepted at the designated times.

Ground-breaking farmers cutting food waste

The Victorian Government is supporting Victorian vegetable producers to keep food waste from landfill, with innovations that create new jobs and revenue streams.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

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.

Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure your organisation’s priorities are recognised in a national strategy for market access and biosecurity using irradiation.

Use of phytosanitary irradiation has grown significantly over the past year with more than 35 Australian-grown crops using it to reach domestic and export markets.

Presented by Agriculture Victoria, this half-day online, or full-day in-person workshop is an opportunity to join a broad group of stakeholders from industry, research and government to ensure that phytosanitary irradiation continues to be developed to protect and grow Australia’s horticulture industry.

The workshop will cover the experiences of industries using irradiation as a biosecurity measure, overcoming barriers to trade, understanding Australian food standards. These sessions will all be available for online participants.

Those attending in-person will also access a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities of irradiation, and a tour of Steritech’s Melbourne irradiation facility.

When: Thursday, 15 September.
Where: 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood (five minutes from Melbourne airport) (online attendance available for the first three sessions).

REGISTER HERE

Program:

9 – 11.30am – Sessions 1 to 3 available online.

• Session 1 – Phytosanitary irradiation: Industry experience
• Session 2 – Phytosanitary irradiation: Overcoming barriers to trade
• Session 3 – Understanding Australian food standards.

11.40am – 12.40pm – Panel and audience discussion.

• Session 4 – Phytosanitary irradiation workshop: Confronting challenges and seeking opportunities.

1.30 – 5.00pm – Tour of Steritech’s Melbourne Irradiation Facility. Bus is provided.

For more information, contact Martin Bluml at Agriculture Victoria on 0408 109 647 or at martin.bluml@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Thursday 15 September, 12 midday to 1 pm

Register here

Cam Nicholson and Fiona Conroy have a long interest in improving, measuring and understanding the benefits from managing the natural resources on their farm.

The main focus has been on soil, water, vegetation and fauna.  Actions include extensive tree planting, fencing off water storages, reticulation into troughs, soil testing every paddock every 3 years (since 1993), as well as bird and fauna monitoring.

More recently they have been interested in understanding the opportunities and future market challenges around carbon accounting and reporting.  In this webinar Fiona and Cam will describe their progress so far and their future thinking around carbon, emissions and sequestration.

More information
For more information about this event contact Heather Field by email heather.field@agriculture.vic.gov.au or phone 0438 391 210.

On-farm biosecurity planning workshops for livestock producers 

Ellinbank – Tuesday 20 September

Bairnsdale – Thursday 22 September

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a free workshop for livestock producers to understand the disease, pest and plant biosecurity risks in their region, the impact they may have on their business and develop an on-farm biosecurity plan.

WHEN AND WHERE

Ellinbank

• Tuesday 20 September, 10 am to 3 pm (please arrive from 9.30 am to allow time to setup)
• Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank.
• Register here

Bairnsdale

• Thursday 22 September, 10 am to 3 pm
• DELWP office, 574 Main Street, Bairnsdale
• Register here

TOPICS

• why is biosecurity important and what programs and systems support the livestock industries
• what are the disease, pest and plant biosecurity risks in your local area
• how to use a matrix to rank the likelihood and impact of risks on your business
• setting up a biosecurity kit and facilities on-farm
• create your on-farm biosecurity plan and put it into action.

MORE INFORMATION 

Contact Morgan Cassell, Agriculture Victoria on 0427 681 714 or email morgan.cassell@agriculture.vic.gov.au

This project received funding from the Cattle Compensation Fund / Sheep and Goat Compensation Fund as part of the 2021 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program, which exists to provide grants to bolster the state's biosecurity and assist in preventing and managing pests and diseases.

Traceability and the NLIS database producer workshops 

Ellinbank – Wednesday 21 September 

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a free hands-on workshop for producers to understand their livestock traceability requirements and how to use the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database to complete property-to-property transfers.

WHEN AND WHERE

• Wednesday 21 September, 10 am to 3 pm (please arrive from 9.30 am to allow time to setup)
• Agriculture Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank.

TOPICS

• Victorian livestock traceability requirements
• updating your Property Identification Code (PIC)
• completing National Vendor Declarations (NVDs)
• setting up, navigating and using the NLIS database
• completing property-to-property (P2P) transfers on the NLIS database.

REGISTRATION

More information about the event and online booking is available at Eventbrite; select the Traceability and the NLIS database producer workshop at Ellinbank or by contacting Morgan Cassell, Livestock Industry Development Officer on 0427 681 714 or at morgan.cassell@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

These events are delivered by the Risk and Records project funded by the 2021 Livestock Biosecurity Fund Grant Program.

See a VRI pivot in action as it switches on and off over farm assets and get a look at the dashboard technology, soil map integration and application customisability.

A little about the project

The project will be conducted from June 2022 through March 2024 in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID), to determine the efficacy of variable rate irrigation (VRI) applied to a pivot, with irrigation prescription based on soil type and topography, for the purpose of ameliorating waterlogged areas and increasing soil moisture uniformity in the paddock.

The paddock selected for this demonstration is significantly undulating and has consistent problem wet areas that do not have drainage.

Currently when the pivot irrigates it compounds the problem and the areas remain consistently waterlogged. Cows wallow in these areas causing soil pugging, further exacerbating the problem. Additionally, there are a number of animal health issues that are compounded by the animals wallowing in wet and muddy areas, including increased lameness and mastitis rates.

Enquiries:

Caelan McIntosh, Irrigation Extension Officer - Agriculture Victoria
Phone: 0476 885 716
Email: caelan.mcintosh@agriculture.vic.gov.au

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