• 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
• BeeMAX: The easy way to meet record-keeping obligations
• Tips for healthy hives
• Have your say on Victoria's biosecurity laws
• Preparedness is key
• Applications open for Leadership Great South Coast program
• The Fast Break – August edition out now!
• AgVic Talk – we are here to help
• Soil moisture monitoring – cropping
• Fox bounty collections for South West Victoria
• In case you missed it
• What's on?

Picture: 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 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.

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.

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
• movement of bees and equipment
• biosecurity training completed.

Learn more here.
Visit BeeMAX.

Keep your bees happy, healthy and productive as the weather warms up - bee aware of the biosecurity basics:

🐝Be aware of biosecurity threats, such as Varroa mite
🐝Practice good hygiene and sanitation
🐝Check your apiary and monitor hives and the health of the honeybee brood frequently
🐝Respect and be aware of laws and regulations established to protect the honeybee industry, Australian agriculture and the local region
🐝Report anything unusual to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

For the latest info visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/varroa

For biosecurity basics visit beeaware.org.au/biosecurity/biosecurity-basics/

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 had 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 the NLIS website, contact the NLIS Helpdesk on 1800 654 743, or email support@nlis.com.au.

Leadership Great South Coast (LGSC) provides an annual community leadership program for aspiring and emerging leaders drawn from all sectors of the Great South Coast region. Each year Gardiner Dairy Foundation supports two places in the LGSC Program for regionally based people working on Victorian dairy farms, in dairy processing or as service providers.

The LGSC Program builds relationships and networks between the business, community and government sectors. This allows participants to benefit from a variety of perspectives when considering the nature of leadership and the future of our community and its economic prosperity.

Projects:

As part of the LGSC Program, participants form project teams to complete community projects. All projects have direct benefit to the Great South Coast region and must align to the Great South Coast Strategic Plan priorities.

Please visit here to see past projects.

Selection Criteria:

• Proven leadership record or aspirations with potential for further growth
• Potential to contribute significantly to the Great South Coast community
• Potential to progress to senior positions in industry, business, community organisations, academia or government
• Ability to commit the required time and energy to the program and to engage as an active learner.

Applications are now open and will close 24 October 2022.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Welcome to the August 'Fast Break' climate newsletter for 2022.

Click to see its soil moisture, climate driver summary and climate predictions from August run models.

VICTORIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

We love your feedback.

If you have comments, questions or feedback address them to Dale Grey at the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The estimated 15,000 seasonal workers who pick crops and maintain orchards are crucial to the success of the Sunraysia food bowl. 

In this episode of AgVic Talk, we speak 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 🎧

In this edition:

• Introduction
• Recent Soil Moisture Monitoring observations (from 22 August)
• Speedo assessments - change in overall soil moisture at a particular site.
• Speedo soil moisture graphs.

Read in full HERE

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 vegetable producers to keep food waste from landfill, with innovations that create new jobs and revenue streams.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio recently visited a business in Werribee South, which is turning surplus vegetables into powders ready for supermarket shelves.

A $500,000 stage government grant has supported Victorian business Fresh Select to install a drying unit that processes vegetables and vegetable offcuts not suitable to sell, and transforms them into nutrient vegetable powders.

The powders – on shelves soon under the label Nutri V - can be added to smoothies, sauces, soups and used in muffins, cakes, breads and other baked goods to boost vegetable intake.

The innovative facility will help local growers create new revenue streams, save costs, and minimise food waste on farms, while creating nutritious new products.

The facility has the capacity to transform almost 8000 tonnes of surplus vegetables and vegetable offcuts every year into new food products and will create 11 new jobs.

The first of its kind in Victoria, the technology is a model that can be expanded to other vegetable producers across the state.

READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE.

Caring for and protecting Victoria’s animals

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

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney has announced Round 2 of the Individual Pet Rehoming Grants with $1.25 million in funding available to pet rescue organisations that provide 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.

READ THE FULL 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.

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 is 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.

Attend this free webinar to hear from Cam Nicholson and Fiona Conroy. They have long been interested in improving, measuring and understanding the benefits of managing their farm's natural resources.

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 three 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.

For more information contact Heather Field at heather.field@agriculture.vic.gov.au, or on 0438 391 210.

When: Thursday 15 September, 12 – 1pm.  

REGISTER HERE.

Turn your quality spring pasture into more livestock production with your knowledge gained at this two-day workshop. Hear from industry experts, a nutritionist and leading agricultural companies on sheep and cattle solutions. Focusing on managing worms, surplus pasture protein, pasture growth and much more.

Guest speakers and topics are:

• Dr Catherine Bunter, Agriculture Victoria Veterinary Officer – preventing parasites, Johnes, coccidiosis, Yersinia, salmonella and pestivirus
• Heidi Sutherland, Zoetis Senior Sales Representative – parasite management solutions and Gudair safety
• Jess Revell, Rumenate Livestock Services Livestock Nutritionist and Animal Production Consultant – balancing high protein forages to enhance rumen function and drive performance
• Gerard Roney, Advantage Feeders Managing Director – practical ways to deal with the excess protein in forages.

When: Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 September

Where: Advantage Feeders Farm, Burrumbeet.

Cost: $20 per person, with all funds donated to the regional CFAs. Payment on the day via cash or EFTPOS. Breakfast, morning tea and lunch provided.

REGISTER HERE or call Advantage Feeders on 1300 88 15 75.

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

Topics

• Why biosecurity is important
• Programs and systems that support the livestock industry
• Disease, pest and plant biosecuirty risks in your 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.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Numbers are limited to allow for an interactive session.

When you register you will be asked to provide your Property Identification Code (PIC).

If this workshop is booked out, please still register and you will be added to a wait-list. You will then be contacted if a spot becomes available or if another workshop is advertised in future in your area.

For more information about this event contact Morgan Cassell at morgan.cassell@agriculture.vic.gov.au or on 0427 681 714.

When: Wednesday 28 September, 10am – 3pm.

Where: Glenthompson Football Club, Brimacombe Street, Glenthompson.

REGISTER HERE.

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.

Agriculture Victoria is delivering a tailored Agri-food Export Essentials series to support Victorian agri-food businesses unlock their export success.

Ever wondered what you need to plan for to get your product ready for export? How do you know if you have conducted thorough enough market research? What is a market entry strategy?

Attend this free webinar, the first of this four-part series, which covers international business planning and market entry essentials.

For more information call Jai Jackson-Jin on 0404 727 690 or at pathwaystoexport@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

When: Wednesday 28 September, 2 – 3.30pm.

REGISTER HERE.

Enjoying the Barwon South West Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.

It's easy – simply click this link.