• Funding available for irrigation demonstration trials
• Australian Horse Industry Council survey
• Top tips for calving season
• Your beef calves are the future of your herd
• Recruitment open for Chair of Dairy Food Safety Victoria
• Webinar recording: Are you pinkeye ready?
• North American study tour as part of winning GRDC award
• Farmer survey – Do farmers dream of sheep?
• WorkSafe – It's never you until it is
• Apply for new Future Drought Fund grants to support Aussie farmers
• Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy – Consultation workshops
• Gippsland Circular Futures Initiative: registration of interest
• Dry seasons support
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• Free financial counselling with RFCS
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Irrigators in the Lake Wellington catchment can apply for funding to trial emerging technologies and methods on their farms.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Irrigation Extension Officer Alexis Killoran said the program supports the innovations of irrigators from any agricultural sector within the Lake Wellington catchment through rebates of up to $30,000.

‘The program, implemented by Agriculture Victoria and The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA), promotes practice change in agriculture for both the benefit of agribusinesses and the environment.

‘This year, it includes the upper Latrobe Catchment, alongside the Macalister Irrigation District. Catchments include the Latrobe, Narracan, Morwell, Tanjil, Thomson, Macalister and Avon rivers and their tributaries.’

Ms Killoran said proposed projects must demonstrate on-farm activities which help achieve the objectives of the Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan, by meeting 1 or more of the following objectives:

• reduction in nutrients and other pollutants in the Gippsland Lakes
• manage the impacts of salinity and high-water tables
• sustainable regional economic growth
• improved understanding and management of social and cultural values
• reduced greenhouse emissions from irrigated agriculture.

‘The last round of funding saw 4 dairy businesses receive grant funding to host demonstration sites on their farms’, said Ms Killoran.

Newry dairy farmer James Clyne adapted his pivot irrigation system with Variable Rate Irrigation technology, Tom Gannon in Tinamba used a self-cleaning filter to efficiently utilise effluent through his pivot irrigator, Jess and Stephen Knight from Stratford upgraded to a pipe and riser system with automated effluent distribution and Wilco Droppert and Sandra Jefford in Clydebank trialled solar-powered automation software for their sprinklers.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 4 pm Tuesday 26 November 2024. Successful applicants will develop a project timeline during planning, with projects required to start before 1 March 2025 and be completed by 31 March 2028.

For more information about this program see the Landholder Information Booklet.

The Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan is primarily funded through the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Irrigation Program (SIP), regionally implemented in Gippsland by Agriculture Victoria and the WGCMA.

Help the Australian Horse Industry Council to accurately build a picture of size and scale of horse ownership in Australia via this survey: complete the survey here.

We are well into calving season and the odd tricky calving which requires assistance is therefore unavoidable.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Development Officer, Dr Hannah Manning said during calving season regular monitoring of cows is important to pick up any that are having trouble calving.

‘Once a farmer has found a problem and brought the cow in to help, I work on a 20-minute intervention rule.

‘A farmer’s strength, a calving jack or a calving pulley are the only acceptable methods to pull a calf, even then you need to be a competent operator.

‘There is no point having the equipment if you haven’t had training on how to use it, and if a calf is stuck or not lined up properly then more force isn’t the answer,’ she said.

‘Don’t forget if you’re helping with a calving, wearing gloves is a great way to reduce your exposure to any diseases that can affect humans, and it keeps things cleaner for the cow.

‘If significant progress in pulling the calf hasn’t been made in 20 minutes, it’s time to stop and come up with an alternative plan.

Dr Manning said calling your local vet early will be the best result for the cow and calf.

‘Good facilities that are safe for you and anyone else helping is vital.

‘It’s amazing how effective a vet can be with drugs in improving the whole situation. If calling your local vet isn’t an option is there someone else you can call or do you need to make some tough decisions?

She said the top consideration at all times is the welfare of the cow.

‘Tough calvings can result in calving paralysis and down cows are a poor result and require a lot of skill and time to care for properly.’

There is more information available on the Agriculture Victoria website. 

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

Keeping your calves in good health is of top importance. A scours outbreak in your herd can be time consuming, expensive to treat and, if not managed correctly, can result in significant losses.

Calf scours is most common in beef calves during the first six weeks of life. 

It is difficult to control the disease once calves start to scour and become sick. It is therefore important to manage calving herds to avoid outbreaks.

Scours is caused by an interaction between the environment, the health of the calf and the presence of disease-causing agents (pathogens), which include bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

These pathogens are shed in low, but increased numbers in the manure of cows around the time of calving, and in much greater numbers in the manure of scouring calves and unaffected calves up to six months of age. During a scours outbreak, a rapid build-up of pathogens can occur in the environment.

While the pathogen’s actions vary their effects are consistent – a loss of fluid and electrolytes associated with diarrhoea leading to dehydration, weakness, and in some cases the death of the calf.

To reduce the risk of calf scours in your herd you should:

• minimise contact between young calves and potential sources of infection by avoiding wet, muddy areas or areas with manure build up
• maximise colostrum intake by avoiding calving difficulty (dystocia) and poor early bonding
• calves from heifers are most at risk. Any calf that has not suckled within six hours of birth should be supplemented with colostrum
• avoid stress, poor nutrition and crowding
• avoid the introduction of new calf scour pathogens into the herd by not replacing dead calves with bobby calves from another property and not introducing recently purchased animals into the calving herd.

Control measures should be applied quickly when scouring calves require treatment, as the disease can spread rapidly if pathogen build-up is not addressed. Move all pregnant cows to a new calving paddock and do not put any new calves with affected cows and calves.

To successfully treat a scouring calf, supportive therapy is needed to counteract the effects of diarrhoea. 

The most important aspect of supportive therapy is to give an adequate quantity of fluids and electrolytes to replace what is lost in the diarrhoea. 

The use of antibiotics may be appropriate but only under veterinary advice. 

A key to the success of treatment is to commence it promptly at the first indication of adverse clinical signs. If these steps were followed, I would hope that you would enjoy a trouble-free calving season.

For further advice please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

Applications are now open to join Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV) Board as the Chair.

The Minister for Agriculture will appoint the Chair for a term of up to 3 years. The successful applicant will be responsible for leading a 7-member board to help improve food safety standards across the Victorian dairy industry.

Agriculture Victoria Executive Director of Regulatory Policy and Programs, Dr Trevor Pisciotta, said the chosen candidate will lead the strategic direction of DFSV.

'We’re looking for a Chair with board experience and relevant skills and background in the dairy industry, public sector, public health, food safety, regulation and regulated industries, stakeholder engagement and corporate governance', said Dr Pisciotta.

DFSV’s objective is to ensure that the standards which safeguard public health are maintained in the Victorian dairy industry – including for the provision of safe, wholesome dairy products for consumers.

DFSV has more than 3,100 licensees covering all parts of the dairy supply chain. The regulator manages business compliance with the Dairy Act 2000 through various audit and compliance activities.

Key responsibilities of the Chair include (but are not limited to):

• establishing the strategic/corporate plan, including strategic direction and performance objectives to meet the Victorian Government’s objectives and management of business risk
• developing a respectful and open relationship with the CEO and organisation
• embedding strong regulatory culture in the organisation and industry
• providing governance of the organisation and productive and effective chairing of the Board
• representing the organisation with professionalism and confidence, maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders and industry, and a collaborative and trusted relationship with government.

Agriculture Victoria is supporting the recruitment process, which is open until midnight 27 October.

An open and competitive process is being conducted in accordance with Victorian Government policy.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community.

For more information and to apply visit Dairy Food Victoria.

Hear from pinkeye researcher Mac Kneipp about the current understanding of pinkeye, key preventative strategies and optimising treatment outcomes.

Watch the recording here.

For Agriculture Victoria Plant Pathologist Dr Joshua Fanning, winning the 2023 Grains Research and Development Corporations (GRDC) ‘Emerging Leader Award’ was honour enough, but it was the icing on the cake to travel to America and Canada to tour leading research institutes and cropping regions.

Dr Fanning travelled to Canada and then USA in July this year visiting renowned research centres such as University of Saskatchewan and the Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC), then on to America visiting Montana and Washington State universities.

‘Many of these institutions are leading research organisations on pulse and legume pathology, with several pathologists focusing on similar diseases to Australia.

‘There were many key learnings from my tour, but highlights include having the understanding of key methodologies for disease control utilised in other parts of the world.

‘One key benefit for Australia is the longer growing season as we don’t have to be as reactive with disease control, when compared to North America,’ Dr Fanning said.

‘However, in many respects due to the longer growing season we need to ensure disease control is done well as we can have many more lifecycles of a pathogen in the season compared to North America. 

‘Soil borne diseases including Fusarium and Aphanomyces root rots were the main constraints to their pulse production.  There is some genetic resistance to these diseases, but it’s difficult to find and breed for.’

Dr Fanning said crop rotations were not controlling many of these soil-borne diseases. This was a key learning and highlights Australia’s need to get on top of these diseases early to prevent them becoming a major constraint to crop yield like in North America.

‘Many foliar fungicides were not effective due to fungicide resistance. This is a threat to Australian production that we are observing in cereals, but not yet in pulses.’

You can access the survey here

It’s never you until it is. Every death on-farm is preventable. Find safety support for your farm HERE

The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund is looking for eligible Australian organisations to apply for 2 new grant programs.

These programs will trial innovative solutions with the potential to build the agriculture sector, landscapes and communities’ long-term resilience to drought and climate risks, through transformational change.

The $40 million Resilient Landscapes Program focuses on demonstrating how implementing and scaling of practices, technologies or approaches to manage natural resources on farm, builds drought and climate resilience.

The $40.3 million Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program Round 2 looks at investigating new practices and technologies that will improve productivity in variable weather through evidence-based trials, co-designed with farmers.

Both grant rounds are open to agricultural industries in Australia and will be delivered over six years. Applicants must form consortia, that is 2 or more organisations working together to develop and deliver an eligible project.

Applications close on 19 November 2024.

To learn more about the grants and apply, visit:
Resilient Landscapes Grants Program - DAFF and Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants - DAFF

The Gippsland Dairy Industry Leadership Group is seeking involvement from Gippsland dairy farmers and service providers in the development of a Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy.

Dairy Australia will be holding a series of face to face and online workshops for anyone interested in contributing to the strategy.

These workshops will explore key drivers for priorities in a Gippsland-specific dairy strategy, and draw on the experiences of those participating in the consultation.

A Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy will aim to: 

• promote Gippsland's strengths for attracting investment in dairy
• provide a strategic document to influence planning and decision making by government, private enterprise, and regional planners
• detail areas of focus to ensure a prosperous and responsive Gippsland dairy industry over the next 10 years.

This strategy development is financially supported by contributions from Gardiner Foundation, GippsDairy, Latrobe Valley Authority, and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. 

Gippsland themes identified during the consultation process will also help inform the development of the Dairy Australia Strategic Plan 2025-2030. 

Along with the workshops, Dairy Australia encourages you to contribute themes for the Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy by completing this short survey. 

To register for one of our workshops, please follow the links below.

Wednesday 23 October - Maffra 

Thursday 24 October - Warragul 

 Friday 25 October - Leongatha 

 Tuesday 29 October - ONLINE 

 Thursday 31 October - ONLINE 

For more information, contact Karen McLennan at karen.mclennan@gippsdairy.com.au or on 0409 179 706.

The Gippsland Climate Change Network invites small to medium sized Gippsland businesses and enterprises to participated in a free circular economy Program.

Workshop dates: October 16, 23 and 30
Times: 10 am - 12:30 pm
Locations: Bairnsdale, Sale, Leongatha, Warragul, Morwell and online.

Register here.

Have you updated your plan for the current seasonal conditions?

Having a solid drought plan can help you with decision making in adverse conditions. 

Check out the dry seasons and drought support on the Agriculture Victoria website today.

Victoria’s bounty collections continue.

Please check our website for the latest information, collection centres and dates. Click here.

For any assistance, please speak to our bounty collection staff on collection days or call our customer service centre on 136 186.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides a free and confidential financial counselling service to eligible farmers and small related enterprises who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

They can help you to access available support, analyse your business situation, negotiate with lenders and develop strategies to improve your financial position. 

To find your closest service visit the website or call 1300 771 741.

Solid results continue for Victorian dairy industry

A new report has found Victorian dairy farm profits in 2023–24 were above the long-term average for the fifth consecutive year.

Read the full media release here.

Cutting failed crops for hay or silage

Crops that fail due to frost, moisture stress or other limiting factors may be cut for silage or hay as an economically viable option. The following key points should be considered as part of your decision-making process.

Read the full media release here.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can be found in one spot on our website. Visit the Events page to keep in touch with upcoming events.

When: Wednesday 16 October, 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Register here.

Join our webinar about finishing lambs in a tight season.

Presenter Geoff Duddy will use examples to assist with decision-making around finishing lambs on grain vs selling as stores.

Geoff Duddy is recognised nationally as a lamb feedlotting specialist and co-developed the Sheep CRC Lamb Feedlot Calculator.

There will be a chance to ask questions and the webinar will be recorded. 

When: Thursday 24 October, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Where: Gippsland Agriculture Centre, Bairnsdale. 

Register here.

When: Thursday 14 November, 10 am - 1 pm 

Register here.

Come along to James Clyne’s farm in Newry to find out how he was able to get VRI to reduce water wastage and increase pasture production on his undulating centre pivot irrigated paddock. Free BBQ lunch provided.

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

It's easy – simply click this link.

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 the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au.

All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/contact-us

Don't forget to check out Agriculture Victoria's social media sites for up-to-date information and news.