Event contact: Kirstie Anderson 0437 990 967 kirstie.anderson@agriculture.vic.gov.au

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Graeme Anderson and Alison Kelly from Agriculture Victoria with Joan and Rob Liley at the launch of the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot at the Liley farm in Gippsland

The On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot is supporting Victorian farmers and growers to measure and understand their on-farm emissions profile, develop an emissions reduction action plan, and implement recommended actions with grant support funding from a pool of up to $5 million.

Over three years, Agriculture Victoria will work with up to 250 producers who are interested in understanding their emissions output, adapting their practices, growing their business in a low-emissions future, and are willing to help other farmers by sharing their experiences and learnings.

Since the pilot opened in May 2022, engagement with industry and key stakeholders has seen strong interest from the three initial focus industries; beef, dairy, and sheep. Six more rounds will open over the next two years, with opportunities for beef and sheep farmers to participate.

Agriculture Victoria Emissions Specialist, Alison Kelly has been visiting beef and dairy producers across the state and said during the visits and working one-on-one with participants, it’s clear that no two farms or businesses are alike and there is no single solution to emissions on farm.

“Victorian farmers have a great desire to improve their understanding of climate change and work toward decreasing on-farm emissions. The pilot is an opportunity for them to get 1:1 support for their emissions journey, so they can achieve their business goals no matter what starting point they are at with emissions knowledge,” Mrs Kelly said.

Through the farm visits, the team has identified several emerging themes which will be explored in detail over the remaining two years of the pilot.

“We’ve observed that many farmers have already been implementing emissions and sustainability action on-farm, but they want to understand how they can capture evidence of their emissions and carbon stocks, as well as practical advice about managing this over time. For the beef farmers that we have been working with for round one of the pilot, improving data collection, herd and feed efficiencies, and reducing inputs where possible are also important so they can maintain their productivity and continue to operate their businesses efficiently as the climate changes,” Mrs Kelly said.

Stay up to date with the pilot by visiting and bookmarking the On-farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot webpage or express your interest in the program by emailing actionplanpilot@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The pilot is being delivered as part of the Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge to provide practical information, tools and services to support farmers to understand and reduce emissions.

Victoria’s food and fibre exports have reached a record high, valued at $17.9 billion in 2021-22 – a 29 per cent increase on the previous year. Meat was Victoria’s second largest export by value at $4.3 billion, up 31 per cent. Read the full article here. 

The export results are available on the Agriculture Victoria website​.The results cement Victoria’s position as Australia's largest food and fibre exporter by value, accounting for 26 per cent of the national total. 

Designed to encourage and empower participants to have an active voice and role in the agriculture sector, both programs support rural women to work collaboratively, explore issues impacting their industries and communities and develop real solutions.

Both programs offer guidance, support and networks to help you to focus your efforts, develop your skills and confidence, and work with other rural women. Depending on your goals, you might be interested in applying for one or both programs via a single application process. Find out more and apply by February 27.

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A range of support measures are available for flood and storm-affected farmers. Information about these measures can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website. For any urgent animal welfare needs, please contact 136 186.

Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian producers 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 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. 

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

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BWBL Networks contact: Alison Desmond, Project Leader, Agriculture Victoria  M: 0409 424 274 E: alison.desmond@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

AWI funds training for shearers and wool handlers to attract and retain new entrants into the wool harvesting industry, build the capacity and longevity of existing staff, and increase returns to woolgrowers through improved clip preparation practices.

Register your interest on the AWI website.

Did you know there are 123 registered drench products in Australia? How well do they work for your livestock? What management practices are others using? Does this vary around Australia?

Megan Lewis is a student at UWA and funded through MLA, and she is trying to answer these questions, to help you.

Answer her survey on drenches, pests and parasites and maybe win your weekly shop too!

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BB Networks contact: Darren Hickey, Project Leader M: 0457 609 140 E: darren.hickey@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

There is a lot going on right now in the Australian beef industry with all eyes on the movement of cattle price indicators. While market prices are something producers have little control over, it is still important to understand the main drivers in the market. These drivers include the national herd rebuild, turn-off and slaughter numbers, pressures on processors, seasonal variability, rising cost of farm inputs, emergency animal disease concerns, labour shortages, interest rates and the list goes on. 

Producers can use this industry information to make tactical and strategic decisions in their business such as:

• timing of buying and selling different classes of stock
• which markets to target
• establishing forage crops and conserved fodder reserves.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has recently published their quarterly cattle industry projections as well as delivering a webinar based on these projections. 

As prices move and the cost of inputs change, it’s also important to ensure the business has an up-to-date cash flow budget. Every business should have a cash flow budget. If your skills in this department need polishing up, MLA’s Business EDGE program is an excellent two-day program to upskill both yourself and your partners in business-critical functions of a successful livestock business.

One of the top tips from John Francis and Ian Mclean who deliver Business Edge is, “You’re the one who must drive the operations performance of the business and you’re the one who has to own the business. You must have the ability to interpret numbers to accurately make decisions that affect you, your family, and your farm”.

If you feel like you aren’t quite driving the performance of your business at the level you want, look at MLA’s Business EDGE Workshops coming up in Hamilton and Benalla.

A world-first tool to help producers improve grazing management, forage budgeting and ground cover. 

Watch MLA's and Cibo Labs' Getting started with Australian Feedbase Monitor webinar. Access the tool on the MLA website. 

Can your passion for Australian agriculture take you around the world?

The Winston Churchill Trust invites you to apply for a Churchill Fellowship. Applications open 1 March. To find out more visit www.churchilltrust.com.au

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