• Coronavirus update
• Japanese encephalitis update
• April seasonal climate outlook
• Unearthing soil constraints to crop production
• #AgTechApril – where are you on your AgTech journey?
• Growing smarter in the Mallee AgTech summit
• AgVic Talk podcasts
• Look up and live
• Gorse community grants funding
• The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty is now digital
• Fox and wild dog bounty collection details
• Strong collaboration results in downward trend on stock losses
• In case you missed it
• What's on?

Keep up to date with all the latest restrictions and requirements at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

Agriculture Victoria is working closely with both the pig and horse industries in response to Japanese encephalitis.

There are now a total of 22 properties with pigs confirmed with Japanese encephalitis in Victoria.

These are located across the Wangaratta, Moira, Greater Shepparton, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Loddon, Greater Bendigo and Northern Grampians local government areas.

A number of suspected cases are under investigation.

The detections are the result of national surveillance efforts to identify new cases and determine the extent and spread of the disease and the source of its introduction.

Japanese encephalitis has also been confirmed in piggeries in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia and in a small number of feral pigs in the Northern Territory.

Agriculture Victoria is working closely with industry, conducting surveillance activities and providing advice and information to farmers, livestock and horse owners.

Infection is not spread directly from pigs to people, and there is no risk to humans from eating pig meat.

Only infected mosquitoes can spread infection.

Pork is safe to eat.

In general, spread is through the movement of some species of migratory water birds and through the movement of infected mosquitoes, often over long distances.

It does not usually spread directly from animal to animal (i.e. it is not considered contagious).

Victorians are being reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites particularly when spending time outdoors.

Japanese encephalitis vaccines are recommended for people at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, such as those working with pigs. All people should undertake measures to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

More information about Japanese encephalitis virus and animals is available online through Agriculture Victoria’s website.

For more information about Japanese encephalitis virus and human health contact your GP or phone NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 606 024, or go to www.health.vic.gov.au/jev

These webinars with Agriculture Victoria seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey (pictured above), focus on the current seasonal climate outlook for Southern NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

The outlook is based on model projections for rainfall using current oceanic, atmospheric and soil moisture conditions.

RECORDING AVAILABLE HERE: Recording Registration - Zoom

The passcode is: April2022!

The Fast Break - Victoria

For the latest Seasonal climate risk information for Victoria head online to the Agriculture Victoria website for Volume 17, Issue 4, 28 April.

Growers and advisers will be better equipped to manage soil constraints in their paddocks after the development of a three-dimensional (3D) mapping strategy, currently trialled at farms in western Victoria.

This will give a greater understanding of the dynamics and location of constraints to crop production that lurk in the depths of the soil profile.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Research Scientist Professor Roger Armstrong is leading the research, working closely with a team of scientists, technicians and PhD students.

The research effort is part of the Victorian Grains Innovation Partnership (VGIP) between Agriculture Victoria and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

“Growers often have trouble identifying what the soil constraints are in their cropping paddocks, the soil profile can be highly variable, and often they only analyse the topsoil,” Professor Armstrong said.

“However, our research is enabling us to use soil sensor technologies to 3D-map the location and severity of multiple soil constraints at a paddock scale.

“We then use the soil maps we have created and overlay them with ‘above-ground’ crop growth rates, which were developed using a range of crop sensor technologies,” he said.

“Combining the soil and crop-focussed maps links the 3D spatial arrangement of soil constraints within a paddock to crop performance.

"It can then provide a basis of how to manage these constraints, including soil amelioration using gypsum, organic matter or whether to leave unchanged.

“Our findings will inform the way growers assess soil-based crop constraints and how to tackle the problem to achieve optimal crop production and maximum profitability,” Professor Armstrong said.

So far, four farmer’s paddocks have been mapped using the new sensing techniques, located in the state’s medium-rainfall zone at Nurcoung, Nurrabiel and Wallup and in the high-rainfall zone at Wickliffe.

Commercial crops grown in these paddocks included wheat, barley, faba beans and canola.

The VGIP aims to improve the enduring profitability of Victorian and Australian grain growers through world-class research and innovation.

For more information about research at Agriculture Victoria visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/our-research

For more information on the project led by Professor Armstrong visit this GRDC GroundCover article.

Throughout April Agriculture Victoria has been putting the spotlight on all things AgTech.

From field days to fact sheets, workshops and webinars, eLearns and virtual farm tours, AgTech can be a useful tool in fool-proofing your farm.

Where are you on the AgTech journey?

Wherever you are on your AgTech journey Agriculture Victoria has an AgTech Byte for you. 

Three new ones have just been released, along with the important Glossary of AgTech.

Click on the links below to read them:

1. IoT and Digital Agriculture
2. Planning AgTech Investment
3. Sensing and Automating AgTech

You can find the others here on the AgTech sensor demonstration project page.

Our Mildura SmartFarm is taking part in this year’s Growing Smarter in the Mallee AgTech Summit on 5 and 6 May.

Senior Research Scientist Zel Coetzee and Technology Development Leader Kieran Murphy will be showcasing the latest innovations at the SmartFarm.

Kieran leads the research program focusing on horticultural produce traceability systems using sophisticated spatial technologies and new and emerging sensor systems.

Zel manages the Mildura SmartFarm and will provide insights into how technologies are being used to manage and monitor the experimental almond plantings, focussing on the future implementation of autonomous closed-loop irrigation through soil moisture monitoring.

To find out more about the AgTech Summit and register your interest in the Mildura SmartFarm tour online https://bit.ly/3jNPew7

Agriculture Victoria's podcasts deliver knowledge and information in a format that suits the way farmers and agricultural professionals work and live today.

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

• Subscribe to AgVic Talk on Spotify
• Follow through Apple Podcasts.

Your feedback is important to us so make sure to rate and review AgVic Talk episodes and share with your friends and family.

Contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or your consultant before making any changes on-farm.

All information included in these episodes is accurate at the time of release.

No two career journeys are the same, join us to hear from Caylem Roberts, a Youth Employment Scheme (YES) trainee and Russell Adcock, Agriculture Victoria Senior Advisor Aboriginal Employment and Engagement on their experiences finding careers in the agriculture sector.

Head to the Agriculture Victoria website for more information about its SmartFarms.

Want to find out more about seasonal work and how to access training?

Call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.

From the team that brings you the Fast Break newsletter and Very Fast Break YouTube video, we now have season two of ‘My Rain Gauge is Busted’ - the podcast.

In this podcast we talk about all things climate and farming, and explore stories from farmers and researchers, about our weather, the seasons and the climate, about what's typical and what isn't, and the great work underway that is setting us up for the future.

Interested in hearing more? Search for My Rain Gauge is Busted wherever you get your podcasts or listen 🎧 online via our website.

In this AgVic Talk podcast episode, come on a journey with Del Delpitiya, a former Sri Lankan tea plantation manager who moved to Australia in search of a new life for himself and his family. 

From his first job at a car wash, to his first break into agriculture, Del worked his way up from farm hand to farm manager before finally realising his dream as the part-owner of a 400-head dairy in Cudgewa.

Today, in his role as one of our regional dairy managers, Del is working with people who share a similar story to his to better understand how we can better support them to realise a career in agriculture.

Listen online via the Agriculture Victoria website 🎧 agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgVicTalk

Stay safe from overhead powerlines. When you enter a job site, STOP.

Get out of the vehicle. Look up and around to understand the entire area of work.

Find out more online #powerlines #energysafevictoria #LUAL

Through the Community Grants Program the Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) works to support communities in reducing gorse in their local area.

The VGT are interested in helping landholders looking to control their gorse long-term.

The program looks to educate and build community capacity around gorse and gorse control so communities can take real ownership and overcome the problem.

Now is the time to plan ahead and start a conversation with your community about gorse in your area.

Eligible Small Grant projects can attract up to $5000 in funding.

The 2022 – 2023 Small Community Grants are now open and will close on 28 May.

If gorse is a problem on your land or across your local area, the VGT encourages you to connect with your local community and apply now.

For more information email: info@vicgorsetaskforce.com.au

The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty is now digital.

To streamline payment processes for fox and wild dog bounty participants, we have introduced a digital bounty application system.

Registering is easy. Access the form at agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty and simply input your email and banking details.

The new system will ensure payment is quick and easy and allow participants to keep track of bounty applications.

Over the coming months as we transition to a digital system, hunters will still have access to the paper-based system.

Please pre-register online, chat to our bounty collection staff on collections days or call the customer service centre on 136 186.

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 scheduled collection centres.

Please note that no fox scalps or wild dog body parts will be accepted at any public counter or state government office.

Collections will only be accepted at the designated times.

Foxes and wild dogs are 'declared' established pest animals in Victoria.

They cannot be eradicated from the state and require ongoing management by all public and private landowners.

Effective fox and wild dog management requires an integrated approach utilising all suitable management practices including:

• poison baiting
• trapping
• exclusion fencing
• fumigation
• appropriate animal husbandry.

Hunting can play an important role in supporting an integrated management approach.

The collection schedule for North West Victoria, includes:

Bendigo collections (Fox only), Corner Midland Highway and Taylor Street, Epsom, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Dates:

• Monday, 9 May
• Monday, 6 June
• Monday, 4 July
• Monday, 1 August
• Monday, 29 August
• Monday, 26 September
• Monday, 24 October.

Ouyen collections, Fox and wild dog (wild dog by appointment only), Gregory Street, Ouyen, 2 – 4 pm

Dates:

• Tuesday, 10 May
• Tuesday, 7 June
• Tuesday, 5 July
• Tuesday, 2 August
• Tuesday, 30 August
• Tuesday, 27 September
• Tuesday, 25 October.

St Arnaud collections (Fox only), 4 Montague Street, St Arnaud, Victoria, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Dates:

• Thursday, 12 May
• Thursday, 9 June
• Thursday, 7 July
• Thursday, 4 August
• Thursday, 1 September
• Thursday, 29 September
• Thursday, 27 October.

2022 Swan Hill collections (Fox only), 7 Quin Drive, Swan Hill, 8.30 – 10.30 am

Dates:

• Tuesday, 10 May
• Tuesday, 7 June
• Tuesday, 5 July
• Tuesday, 2 August
• Tuesday, 30 August
•  Tuesday, 27 September
•  Tuesday, 25 October.

The bounty will run until the end of October 2022, consistent with previous years.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty to find out more or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Coordinated community control programs, producer input into local planning and public land controls have contributed to a downward trend in wild dog predation in Victoria.

Operations Manager for Hume and Mallee regions Craig Hamilton outlined the trend on a webinar hosted by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Wild Dog program.

Mr Hamilton said the wild dog program performs control work in response to incident reports for livestock killed, maimed or harassed by wild dogs across 16 wild dog management zones in eastern and western Victoria.

The trend in incident reports since 2014 has been downwards, reducing by more than half.

“This year so far in response to 303 farmer related incident reports, the wild dog program established 2323 bait stations and replaced 4648 baits over 1450km, with a further 700km to be completed by the end of the financial year,” he said.

“Wild dog controllers have established 1919 trap sets, and checked those trap sets 12,659 times, and have helped facilitate the protection of farmland through community wild dog control.”

Mr Hamilton said the downward trend in incident reports had been achieved through strong collaboration with landholders and community groups, successful community baiting programs, aerial baiting program, improved technology in pest exclusion fencing and expansion of exclusion fencing networks.

“The aerial baiting program is conducted only in areas where ground access is difficult and where there is a high number of livestock losses and farm related incident reports.

“This year there were 3,731 baits laid over a series of transects totalling 425km. The aerial baiting program is conducted in autumn and spring.”

Australian Wool Innovation Community Wild Dog Control Coordinator for East Gippsland Mick Freeman, said 102 landholders were supported by community wild dog coordinators across 72,600ha of private land with 13,252 baits in 2021.

Mr Freeman said a suite of community fact sheets had been developed on foxes and wild dogs providing land managers with contact points for assistance, available support, ground baiting tips, managing predators post-bushfires and guardian animals.

He said vertebrate pest management workshops on wild dogs, foxes and feral pigs are planned for Tubbut, Buchan, Mansfield and Cudgewa.

According to Anthony Websdale, senior wild dog controller, Bairnsdale, baiting programs should be pencilled in on the calendar just like shearing or summer drenching programs.

Mr Websdale said a financial gain of $14,000 was achievable in a scenario based on 1000 first cross ewes to achieve a seven per cent increase in lambing (70 lambs) valued at $200 per head through best practice ground baiting.

“The cost of a 10-week baiting program with 70 meat baits per run (every two weeks) is an estimated $1575 and your time,” he said.

“With baiting, it’s not just lambing percentages but wild dogs and foxes can carry some diseases causing foetal abortions in livestock.”

For more information contact Kim Woods, National Wild Dog Action Plan Communications Coordinator on 0499 772 860.

Enjoy the outdoors but make sure to beat the bite.

Here are simple steps to protect you and your family from mozzie bites:

👉 Cover up as much as possible – wear long, loose-fitting clothes.
👉 Use mosquito repellent containing picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin.
👉 Use mosquito nets or insect screens.
👉 Use mosquito coils where you gather to sit and eat.
👉 Use a ‘knockdown’ fly spray on any mosquitoes in your tent or accommodation before you go to bed.

For more ideas to keep yourself and your family safe from mozzies CLICK HERE

Farm finance - young farmers getting prepared together

Young farmers across Victoria are being invited to come together for farm finance workshops at a number of locations, as well as to network and ask questions.

MEDIA RELEASE LINK HERE

Milking Victoria's dairy export potential for all it's worth

The Victorian Government is supporting another local food producer to make new products, boost sales in international markets and respond to supply chain risks.

MEDIA RELEASE LINK 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.

Agriculture Victoria's Young Farmers Network is running ‘Farm Finance – Getting Prepared’ workshops in five locations across the state.

All sessions will be held between 6 and 8.30 pm and are scheduled for:

• Bairnsdale – Wednesday 4 May
• Maryborough – Wednesday 11 May
• Wangaratta – Wednesday 18 May
• Ouyen – Wednesday 25 May
• Horsham – Wednesday 1 June.

Register now for Agriculture Victoria’s Young Farmers Network Farm Finance – Getting Prepared Workshop.

To find out more visit https://bit.ly/3O3eht0

The Farm Finance – Getting Prepared series is supported by Agriculture Victoria’s Smarter, Safer Farms program.

Would you like to learn more about AgTech but don't know where to start?

• Webinar 4 – 12.30pm Friday 6 May 2022 - How can AgTech help me make decisions?

Each webinar in this 6-part series will investigate key questions using modules from the Getting into AgTech eLearn course.

Go online to register for Webinar 4 via the Agriculture Victoria website.

Event contact: Mark Sloan, Industry Technology Coordinator Officer, Agriculture Victoria, on 0436 833 668 or mark.sloan@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

10 May,  7 – 8 pm

Succession planning can be a challenging and sometimes uncomfortable task for some families. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

An awareness of what’s required and what’s possible in a succession plan, to meet the needs of everyone involved, can make the task easier.

Agriculture Victoria is presenting a series of three one-hour webinars to step you through the process of putting together a successful succession plan.

• Session 2 (10 May) – How do we know what each individual wants and how is this achieved?
• Session 3 (17 May) – Matching business capacity with family requirements. Is the best option to sell all or some of the farm? How can a plan be developed?

Numbers are limited to 20 per session.

Presenters

Mike Stephens and Paul Blackshaw - farm business consultants with Meridian Agriculture

Mike specialises in succession planning and Paul provides farm financial analysis, benchmarking, business performance and succession planning.

A free one-on-one follow-up session with Meridian will be available to 20 people who attend at least two webinars.

For more information about this event contact Paul Simpson at paul.simpson@agriculture.vic.gov.au or on 0455 750 605

The 2022 Mildura Field Days will be held at the Mildura Racecourse, 53 Racecourse Road, Nichols Point on 20 and 21 May.

Admission prices, open hours, the 2022 Prospectus and more information is available online via the Mildura Field Days website.

Immerse yourself in an exclusive three-part educational series to learn about global market opportunities, focusing on the China market, and how Agriculture Victoria’s new Pathways to Export program can assist your international trade journey.

Hear from the Victorian Government’s Deputy Trade Commissioner in China and key in-market experts who will help you gain a deeper understanding of international market opportunities.

Pathways to Export program series outline:

Part 3: Business Matching Essentials

• Tuesday 24 May, 2 – 3 pm
• Register online through the Microsoft Teams platform.

Agriculture Victoria is looking forward to delivering the 2022 BWBL/BB conference in June.

When: 15 – 16 June
Where: Bendigo.

The program and further information will be available soon.

GRDC Farm Business Update – Swan Hill

The GRDC Farm Business Update events drive innovation and adoption of improved farm business management practices across the grains industry.

• Date: 15 June
• Time: 9.15 am – 3.15 pm 
• Location: Swan Hill Town Hall, 57 McCallum Street.

Go online to register or for more information about the event.

The event contact is Jane Foster on (03) 5441 6176 or admin@orm.com.au

GRDC Grains Research Update – Boort

• Date: 14 July
• Time: 9 am – 1 pm 
• Location: Boort Memorial Hall, Godfrey Street.

Go online to register or for more information about the event.

The event contact is Matt McCarthy on (03) 5441 6176 or admin@orm.com.au

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