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Thursday 27 March 2025
Attention: Information session at Rutherglen Scout Hall on Saturday
We will be at the Rutherglen Scout Hall on Saturday 29 March from 9am to 12 pm.
Staff will be there to discuss any questions you may have about the current H7 avian influenza response and the activity at Agriculture Victoria’s Biosecurity facility at Rutherglen.
Visit the website for more information on Avian influenza.
What would an exotic disease outbreak look like on my property?
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
It is difficult to imagine a more stressful scenario for a producer, an exotic disease has been diagnosed on their property – what happens next?
Naturally there are numerous possible scenarios and the approach taken would vary according to the specific disease. A series of documents known as AUSVETPLAN are in place to guide the process to help ensure a consistent, successful outcome.
In general, the producer’s property would be quarantined to limit the chance of the disease spreading to other properties.
Further samples may be collected to confirm the diagnosis and to help ascertain the extent of its spread on the property. These would be tested at the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) at Geelong.
Epidemiological information, such as recent movements on and off the property, would be collected to help guide tracing and surveillance activities on other properties.
An Incident Control Centre would be established at a suitable location in a nearby town, whose activities would be directed by a State Control Centre.
Infected premises operations would be put into place to eradicate the disease on the property and to ensure contaminated material doesn’t leave the property.
This would vary according to the nature of the disease. If destruction of livestock or property is necessary compensation would be paid.
Local movement controls may be set up through the declaration of restricted areas and control areas.
Eventually, when eradication of the disease had been achieved, proof of freedom testing would be necessary to prove to our trading partners that the disease had been successfully eradicated.
It sounds like a lot, but all of this would be necessary in order to preserve Australia’s multi-billion-dollar livestock industries and to prevent the establishment of a new exotic disease.
Naturally, none of this will be necessary if we don’t allow these diseases to enter Australia and to come into contact with our livestock.
We urge you to report any unusual signs or suspected cases of emergency animal disease immediately to the all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.
For further information contact your local Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer.
Webinar recording: Implications of climate change on various Mallee horticultural crops
Presenters were Jeremy Giddings, Irrigation Regional Manager, Agriculture Victoria and Geoff Rix, Manager Salinity and Water Quality, Mallee CMA.
Climate change is a critical issue facing irrigated horticulture in the Victorian Mallee, with increasing temperatures and a water constrained environment posing major threats.
In recognising the critical importance of maintaining productive and sustainable horticultural industries, the Mallee CMA commissioned this study, with Agriculture Victoria providing project management.
The initial phases of this project looked at modelling the effect of a changing climate on the production of 7 horticultural crops (almond, avocado, wine grapes, table grapes, dried vine fruit, citrus and pistachio).
The final phases began looking at project water requirements of these crops under future climate scenarios.
In this webinar recording Jeremy Giddings summarised the findings of both phases of the project and how the results could be used by industry and government.
Duration: 58 minutes (including questions)
Password: Climate
This webinar was presented on Wednesday 26 March at 12 pm. You can find all our climate webinar recordings online.
Report sick or dead birds or wildlife
High pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in poultry in the Euroa area within Strathbogie Shire. Control measures are in place to prevent further spread.
Visit the website for more information on Avian influenza.
Report any unexplained sick or dead poultry or birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
TAFE students get smart with farming In Sunraysia
Horticulture students in Sunraysia are growing almonds and avocados by working smarter, not harder, with support from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney recently officially opened the redeveloped SuniTAFE SMART Farm campus in Cardross, made possible by a $3.9 million investment from the Victorian Government.
The Victorian Government’s $2 million investment to upgrade facilities such as a new potting shed with automated seeding and potting machines, a modular farm for controlled climate cropping with hydroponics, new irrigation systems, and upgraded hydraulic valves.
More crops have been planted including patches of almonds, olives, table grapes, citrus and avocados, further cementing Sunraysia’s renowned reputation as Australia’s horticultural food bowl.
In addition, SuniTAFE received $1.9 million through the Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund for its ‘Protective Cropping – Building an Industry Workforce’ project. This initiative supports training in protected cropping through a Certificate II in Protected Horticulture, delivered via the SMART Farm training facility.
With the region’s economy largely driven by horticulture and other agriculture, there is strong demand for skilled workers who have hands-on experience with precision farming and digital technologies.
SuniTAFE’s upgraded SMART Farm training and innovation campus gives students the opportunity to work with industry and researchers on projects in horticulture, conservation, precision farming and business management, while industry partners can also use the farm to test new crops, technology and processes.
SMART farming combines traditional practices with modern technology such as robots, drones and autonomous equipment to make farming more productive, efficient and sustainable.
AgTech Innovators – Episode 8
Episode 8: In the final episode of AgTech Innovators, we are joined by Jane Bunn, meteorologist and founder and CEO of Jane's Weather.
Jane discusses her journey in AgTech, how she started her weather app to provide detailed weather information for farmers and other industries and talks about the challenges she faced as a female founder and the importance of networking.
Tackling the Tough Topics
The National Centre for Farmer Health has recently released a handbook titled Tackling the Tough Topics outlining best practice guidelines to help individuals and groups plan successful farming community events with a mental health focus.
The guidelines seek to provide the knowledge, resources, and support needed to organise successful events and avoid potential problems that can be damaging to vulnerable individuals and/or their communities.
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Webinar – Soil moisture, monitoring wind erosion and seasonal outlook
Join us online Thursday 10 April at noon for a webinar with our seasonal agronomists Dale Grey and Dale Boyd and the Wind Erosion and Land Management project team.
The webinar includes:
- 2024 season review – key insights for the Wimmera Mallee
- 2024 wind erosion and land management observations – findings from the recent Mallee survey
- Satellite technology – how remote sensing is used to monitor ground cover and obtain crop type estimates
- Historical break timings – case studies on Berriwillock and Longerenong
- 2025 seasonal outlook – current soil moisture levels and key insights for the Wimmera Mallee.
VFF Stock Sense stock handling workshop – Echuca
Echuca and District Livestock Exchange, 520 McKenzie Rd, Echuca
Bringing together local farmers and industry experts to discuss key strategies for improving safety and productivity on your farm. Register here.
Managing On-Farm Safety and Security
Do you want to hear about some of the options for managing and monitoring farm security and safety?
If you answered yes, then Agriculture Victoria has the workshop for you!
Location: Colbinabbin Country Hotel, 18 Mitchell Street Colbinabbin
When: Thursday, 17 April, from 9 am – 12.30 pm.
This free workshop will cover key risks in managing farm security and explore practical solutions to mitigate them. Led by Grant Sutton, co-founder of AgCloud, the session will focus on farm security challenges and the latest advancements in technology to address them.
Topics will include camera solutions, AI-based machine learning, connectivity, and cybersecurity. Participants will gain insights into how these tools can help protect farm properties, assets, and operations more effectively.
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
The presenter - Grant has worked in the IT industry for 24 years, with the past 7 years dedicated to developing technology solutions for agriculture. He and his team provide connectivity, asset monitoring, cybersecurity, and other IT solutions, supporting farmers across Victoria. Grant is passionate about combining agriculture and technology in ways that have real and practical applications.
For queries about this workshop and other upcoming events contact: Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711 or at darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au or Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024 or at roger.harrower@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Contacting Agriculture Victoria
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 us through the National Relay Service at 133 677 or visit the National Relay Service.
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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