• Check out our free hay calculator
• Farmer pleads guilty to animal cruelty, gets $10,000 fine
• Downer cows need prompt attention and assessment
• Farmer pleading guilty to animal cruelty receives $8,000 fine
• Balancing dingo conservation and management
• Worms – what’s the spring risk?
• Your Pet, Our Pest
• Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy – Consultation workshops
• Livestock producers, have you subscribed to the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Newsflash?
• Gippsland Circular Futures Initiative: registration of interest
• Dry seasons support
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• 2025 Bob Hawke Landcare Award is now open
• Free financial counselling with RFCS
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Heard about our hay versus grains calculator? 

This tool calculates the gross margin of grain and hay production in dollars per hectare. It helps with deciding whether a crop should be left for harvest or cut for hay.

Just click here.

Then fill in the white boxes – the grey boxes will automatically calculate it for you. Talk about easy!

Goulburn Broken farmer, Mr Peter Sandals, recently pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, at the Shepparton Magistrates Court and was fined $10,000 with conviction.

The accused pleaded guilty to 3 aggravated cruelty charges and 1 failure to provide veterinarian or other appropriate attention or treatment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA).

The court also ordered the accused be subject to monitoring for a period of 5 years to ensure all cattle under Mr Sandles ownership and care receive proper and sufficient supervision and drink.

In April 2023 Agriculture Victoria officers attended the property at Invergordon, to follow up an animal welfare report.

Agriculture Victoria officers observed empty water troughs and approximately 47 cattle in poor body condition and dehydrated. Twenty cattle had recently died and 7 were humanely euthanised by the officers.

There was also a deceased cow with a horn penetrating the temporal and frontal lobe.

The Magistrate commented how this case was gut-wrenching, and animals are living creatures that feel emotions and experience distress.

Agriculture Victoria Acting Compliance Manager Penny Lucas said the weight of the fine with conviction sends a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community.

‘Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers.’

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

Being the spring calving season, you may find a downer cow in your herd. There are several potential causes of this, and the correct diagnosis and treatment could help save your cow, time and money.

Physical injuries

Calving paralysis is usually, but not always associated with heifers and a difficult calving. During calving a cow’s nerve, known as the obturator nerve, may be crushed between her pelvis and the calf. 

A cow with calving paralysis will appear bright and alert but have no control over one or both hind legs. The only treatment is time and careful nursing; anti-inflammatory drugs are useful if used early.

Calving paralysis needs to be distinguished from injuries such as dislocated hips and back injuries. Such injuries can occur in any aged animal often after an accident such as slipping. 

A cow with these injuries will also be bright and alert and usually eat and drink normally. A veterinarian should be called to assess these animals.

Metabolic diseases

Metabolic diseases can be distinguished from physical injuries by the presence of other clinical signs. Milk fever is seen in older, high producing, fatter cows. A cow with milk fever will show fine muscle tremors, staggering and weakness.

Grass tetany is seen during times of stress such as bad weather on short grass dominated pastures. An affected cow will become aggressive, excited, go down and paddle and convulse violently. Both milk fever and grass tetany should be treated urgently with 4 in 1.

Pregnancy toxaemia or acetonemia is an energy deficiency problem seen in cows losing weight or calving in poor condition. Behavioural signs will be seen before the cow goes down. Cases may indicate a dietary deficiency being experienced by the whole herd.

Toxaemia (blood poisoning)

Mastitis, metritis or any other generalised infection causes toxaemia or blood poisoning. A cow with toxaemia will appear depressed, with a dry nose and sunken eyes. 

It is important to check the udders of downer cows for mastitis, and the uterus for tears or severe infections.

Care of the downer cow

Prompt treatment with appropriate veterinary drugs and good care are key to successfully treating a downer cow. The first step is to determine why the cow is down and to treat appropriately. 

Cows should only be nursed if they have a realistic chance of recovery. Otherwise, they should be humanely destroyed.

When nursing a downer cow move her to dry sheltered shed and provide her with comfortable, dry, soft bedding on a non-slip surface. Sit her on her chest, position her correctly, and roll her from side to side at least two times a day. Provide her feed and water. 

Use hip clamps only for a few minutes to get her on her feet.

For further advice please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

A West Gippsland farmer, Mr Barry Hillbrick recently pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty and a failure to fulfil a Notice to Comply, in the Latrobe Magistrates Court and was fined $8,000 with conviction. 

In April 2023 Agriculture Victoria officers attended the property at Coalville, to follow up an animal welfare report. 

On this visit to the farm a Notice to Comply was issued to Mr Hillbrick to provide veterinary or other treatment for a cow with a significant discharge and lesion present on the right eye socket.

Agriculture Victoria officers attended the following week to assess compliance with this notice. The cow was in an unchanged condition and no treatment or other attention had been offered to the cow. 

The cow was humanely euthanised on-farm by Agriculture Victoria officers due to the large cancerous growth which had engulfed the eye, causing significant pain and suffering. 

The Magistrate commented that livestock are entirely reliant on us to care for them.

‘Animal cruelty matters must be taken seriously.’

Agriculture Victoria Acting Compliance Manager Penny Lucas said the weight of the fine with conviction sends a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community. 

‘Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers.’

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Government is setting out the future of dingo conservation and management in Victoria and supporting farmers with an additional $2 million investment into non-lethal dingo controls and population research.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the continuation of the dingo unprotection order in north east and eastern Victoria, which permits the control of dingoes on private land and along the boundaries of public land until 1 January 2028.

Dingoes will continue to be protected in the north west of the state where the dingo population is critically low. Lethal controls will not be permitted on private or public land in the north west. There is little evidence that dingoes are present in large numbers in these parts of the state.

To support farmers to protect their livestock the Victorian Government is investing more than $2 million to undertake dingo monitoring and support for north west farmers to adopting non-lethal dingo management strategies.

The new support package will fund trials, research and on-ground advice on non-lethal dingo management strategies that minimise the risk of livestock predation in the north west – building on the work already underway as part of the $550,000 North West Vertebrate Pest Management program announced in March this year.

The Wild Dog Management Program will be expanded to include extra supports for farmers through targeted controls of a wider range of vertebrates including deer, foxes, pigs and wild cats and to reflect this expansion, will be renamed the Vertebrate Species Management Program.

The wild dog component of the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty program will cease, with the final opportunity to submit wild dog parts at Maffra on 16 October 2024. The bounty for foxes will increase from $10 to $14 per scalp until 30 June 2025.

The remaking of the new dingo unprotection order follows a review of dingo conservation and management with feedback from Traditional Owners, farmers and landholders alongside scientific research.

For more details about the order visit wildlife.vic.gov.au and for farmers support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

The reduced pasture heights for much of Victoria are increasing the susceptibility of sheep (and cattle) to internal parasites.  

Grazing below a pasture height of 4cm will increase the ingestion of infective larvae.  While most egg contamination occurs in the summer-autumn period, up to 40% can come from eggs deposited during late spring and early summer. 

Typically, in spring there is an abundance of quality pasture which allows your sheep to cope with the worms they have. 

However, given the challenging season this may not be the case. Farmers who are early weaning due to low feed availability need to prioritise worm control as weaners are the most susceptible livestock class to internal parasites.  

Livestock that are in poorer condition and potentially on restricted nutrition can have a reduced resistance and resilience to internal parasites. 

It’s crucial to assess worm burdens during high-risk conditions, which in the current seasonal conditions could include lighter stock grazing shorter and highly contaminated pastures.

It’s also important to have worm-free paddocks set up for weaners. Ideally, paddocks that weaners are put into will have only been grazed by sheep who received an effective summer drench.  

The best paddocks to put weaners into may be ones that have been hay paddocks, are new pastures or paddocks that have been grazed by mature cattle. 

Sheep that are infected with worms may show signs of scours, weight loss or event death. It is essential to monitor worm burdens using Wormtest 4-6 weeks after the weaning and treat based on results. 

Summer drenching is the key to minimising this worm carryover into next year - by making sure there are few worms in your sheep getting a free ride to autumn.

Management of internal parasites is essential for animal production and welfare, especially during high-risk times when stock are in light condition. 

Seek advice from your animal health professional such as a veterinarian or consultant to assist with developing a worm management strategy.

For more information about managing in dry seasonal conditions visit agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 136 186.

References: wormboss.com.au

The ‘Your Pet, Our Pest’, campaign urges illegal exotic pet owners to surrender them now — no questions asked — at one of 4 new surrender locations. 

Discovering the harsh realities of the illegal exotic animal trade - it endangers public health, wildlife, and the farming community. 

Click here for more information and surrender locations.

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.

Newsflash is our monthly email newsletter produced by our BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb network team. 

Newsflash contains:  

• beef and sheep news 
• technical articles 
• upcoming events 
• BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Network profiles 
• government and industry information. 

Subscribe to the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Newsflash here.

Funded by Agriculture Victoria and Australian Wool Innovation.

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.

Applications are open until 31 December 2024.

For the first time, this prestigious $30K national award is now accepting nominations from groups and organisations, in addition to individuals.

Do you know an individual, group, or organisation that is a sustainable farm practice innovator, demonstrated leadership in Landcare and inspired others to take land conservation practices in their community?

Now is their chance to be recognised!

This award honours the significant role of former Prime Minister, the Hon. Bob Hawke AC, in transforming Landcare from a grassroots community initiative into a national movement with enduring bipartisan government support. It celebrates exceptional dedication to sustainable land management and efforts to share valuable knowledge with others.

To find out more or to nominate a Landcare legend click here

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.

Tools available to assess dam water levels

Agriculture Victoria has a range of online tools available to assist farmers in assessing the volume of water in their dams and how long that water may last.

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.

Mastitis problems in your herd?

Mastitis and milk quality affect the bottom line of all dairy farms. Dairy Australia estimates that every case of clinical mastitis costs at least $270 in treatment costs and lost milk.

Milking and Mastitis Management Fundamentals is a two-day workshop designed by Dairy Australia, delivered by Countdown 2020 trained experts in mastitis and milk quality. This new program has incorporated key essential practical skills which will be demonstrated and practiced on farm during day 2. 

Learn about:

• How and why mastitis infections occur
• Practical methods to detect and deal with mastitis
• Adapting your milking process to reduce the risk of infections
• How to develop an action plan to achieve best practice in milk harvesting

Meeniyan: Monday 30 September and Wednesday 9 October, 10 am - 2:30 pm both days.
Where: Meeniyan Recreational reserve, Hanily street, Meeniyan.
Register here.

Yarram: Wednesday 2 October and Thursday 10 October, 10 am - 2:30 pm both days.
Where: Yarram Recreation Reserve, Railway Avenue, Yarram.
Register here.

The Farm Business Resilience Program is supporting farmers to develop the knowledge and skills they need to improve their farm business and be better equipped to manage the impacts of drought and a changing climate.

Agriculture Victoria, in partnership with Cumbre Consultants, is inviting you to join other farmers in a free online short course with specialists on the following topics:

• business planning and risk management
• farm finances and profitable decision making
• managing people on farm, farm safety and wellbeing
• climate adaptation and natural resource improvement including soil, water, crops and pastures.

Course dates:

• Monday 30 September, 11 am to 2 pm - People success 
• Monday 14 October, 12 to 2 pm - Plan review.

Location: Online

Register here.

When: Wednesday 9 October, 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

Register here.

Agriculture Victoria invite beef producers to a webinar about bull selection and soundness.

Fertility is a significant driver of profitability in beef breeding enterprises so join Dr. Craig Wood, pervious President of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians to learn more.

Dr Wood has over 20 years’ experience in large animal veterinary medicine and works with many leading beef studs. The webinar will cover general bull management and describe what a veterinary bull soundness examination involves and discuss the benefits.

GippsDairy - AgVic Service Provider Update Breakfast, with Natalie Nelson presenting the 2024 results of the Dairy Farm Monitor Project. Additionally, Karen McLennan and RMCG Consulting will discuss the Gippsland dairy industry strategy planning for the next 10 years.

A great opportunity to network and to hear about the key market drivers of the last season and how these might impact this season. 

Sale: Tuesday 8 October, 7:30 - 9:30 am, Star Hotel, 173 Raymond St, Sale.
Register here.

Leongatha: Wednesday 9 October, 7:30 - 9:30 am, RSL Leongatha, Crn Smith St and Michael Pl, Leongatha. 
Register here.

Drouin: Thursday 10 October, 7:30 - 9:30 am, Middels, 94-114 Princes Way, Drouin. 
Register here.

Come meet Gippsland Hoof Cares, Dean Rowley, and learn about hoof health and care in wet conditions and preparing your cows for the months ahead. Learn how to identify lameness, caring for cows, how to avoid lameness, what causes it and how we can help and care for cows that may suffer lameness. Discussions and questions about practices are welcome. 

West Gippsland: 
Friday 4 October, 11 am - 2 pm
Labertouche, on farm. Address will be sent via text before event.
Register here.

Join GippsDairy for a workshop that will introduce farmers to dairy cow nutrition and pasture.

This practical, on-farm event is aimed at new entrants to the industry and people with little to no pasture knowledge.

Topics will include:

• when to graze
• where to put the Strip Grazing Fence
• when to graze the paddock again
• how to get the most production out of your pasture
• what to do with surplus grass growing.

A light lunch will be provided. Please bring along a chair and be sure to register early. 

MID:

When: Tuesday 1 October, 9 am - 2 pm
Where: Fulham, address provided after registration. 
Register here.

West Gippsland: 

When: Wednesday 2 October, 9 am - 2 pm 
Where: West Gippsland, address provided after registration. 
Register here.

South Gippsland: 

When: Thursday 3 October, 9 am - 2 pm
Where: Inverloch, address provided after registration.
Register here.

When: Wednesday 2 October, 10 am to 1 pm. 

Where: 83 Punt Lane, Clydebank. 

Register here.

Join us for an exciting showcase of the automated irrigation system that's enabled Wilandra Farms to maximise their solar energy utilisation.

Sandra Jefford and Wilco Droppert will discuss their decision making process, what they learned along the way and how this system has impacted their management of the farm.

Gain insight into the 'SmartBox' solar and irrigation automation system developed by Steve Soutar, CEO of Alternative Energy Innovations.

What to expect:

• live (automated) demonstration of the centre pivots and fixed sprinklers that run off the solar energy generated on farm
• hear from Sandra and Wilco, and ask them any of your burning questions
• discussion with Steve Soutar about the process of system automation
• free barbecue lunch.

This demonstration project has been supported in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

When: Tuesday 8 October, 12 - 1 pm

Register here.

Online webinar for dairy farmers with cattle veterinarian and pinkeye researcher Mac Kneipp. Hear from Mac about the current understanding of pinkeye, key preventative strategies and optimising treatment outcomes. Opportunity for Q&A with Mac at the end of the webinar.

When: Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 October
Where: 285 Boggy Creek Rd, Riverslea.

10 am – 3 pm both days, plus lunch provided.

Wondering how you can get more out of your spray irrigation systems, or thinking about an upgrade?

Join us for a free interactive workshop tailored for irrigators aiming to elevate their irrigation game.

Whether you’re eyeing off a new pivot system or seeking to fine-tune your existing setup, this workshop is your gateway to optimised performance and sustainable management.

What you'll learn:

• designing the system for uniform application
• financial factors - purchase and operational costs
• planning for installation
• energy efficiency.

We'll also cover:

• key measures and indicators of spray irrigation system performance
• technology options - variable application rate, end guns and sprinkler packs
• irrigation scheduling and operation for improved agronomy.

Key trainer: Peter Smith, Sapphire Irrigation Consulting

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.