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Thursday 3 April 2025
The buck stops here – with the owner and person in charge
Owners or persons in charge of livestock have a responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare needs of their livestock and animals are met.
Agriculture Victoria Program Manager of Livestock and Welfare Compliance Veronica Campbell said this includes providing animals with proper and sufficient food, ensuring sick or injured animals are provided with appropriate attention or treatment, and basic husbandry practices such as shearing are carried out.
Safe on-farm disposal of dead stock
Rachael Campbell, Dairy Industry Development Officer
Stock deaths occur periodically and farm managers are responsible for carcass disposal. Methods of disposal include knackery, rendering services or suitably licensed landfills. If these are not available, alternative biosecure options for use on-farm may include composting or burial.
If on-farm disposal is to be used, then forward planning with appropriate siting, infrastructure and management is critical to minimise any biosecurity, environmental or other risks.
Victorian Regional Development Australia Deputy Chair and Member position vacancies
Regional Development Australia (RDA) is seeking highly motivated leaders with vision, drive and strong ties to their region to volunteer on RDA Committees across Victoria.
Applications have opened for RDA Committee Deputy Chair and Member positions in Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Melbourne.
Deputy Chairs focus on the economic development of their region, with the exception of RDA Melbourne, which works to identify and facilitate economic development opportunities between regional RDAs and capital city stakeholders.
RDA Committee Members are active contributors to the outcomes of a diverse group of individuals working in a complex environment to deliver high value outcomes for the state or community and region. Members are active drivers of economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in their region.
Applications are sought from business and community leaders who have a proven track record of achieving meaningful outcomes in a complex environment.
Women, First Nations Australians, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and people with disability are encouraged to apply.
Successful applicants will commence in their role from 1 July 2025.
Applications close 30 April 2025 at 5 pm.
Visit the Victorian RDA website for further information and an application pack.
Victorian tech start-ups take on circular agriculture
The Victorian Government is working with the state’s brightest technology start-ups to develop innovative new solutions to challenges facing the agriculture sector.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the new CivVic Labs challenge theme would be circular agriculture – with a focus on how technology can be used to maximise efficiency, minimise waste, and unlock new revenue streams.
Victoria’s Biosecurity Roundtable Report 2024 is now available
Local experts – from the wine industry, wildlife sector, horticulture and more – explored phylloxera impacts on the wine industry, what to do to prepare for our biggest biosecurity threats, and reaching diverse communities with important messages.
Webinar: Planning for water security
Gippsland farmers, join our upcoming webinar on stock water planning.
Assess your farm water needs, hear practical information from Southern Rural Water and learn about increasing the size of existing dams, site new dams and/or drilling a bore for stock and domestic use.
When: Tuesday 8 April, 12 - 1:30 pm.
Workshop: Planning for water security
Calling Gippsland farmers, join our workshop to discuss water planning in dry seasonal conditions.
Assess your farm’s water needs and availability, hear practical information from Southern Rural Water and other water corporations, and learn about the process of increasing the size of existing dams, siting new dams and/or drilling a bore for stock and domestic use.
When: Friday 11 April, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Leongatha.
Webinar: CivVic Labs Circular Ag Challenge Information Session
How can technology unlock circular economy opportunities in agriculture?
Circular agriculture is about maximising efficiency, reducing waste, and creating new revenue streams within existing farming systems. It’s not just about sustainability- it’s about doing smart business.
When: Tuesday, 8 April, 11 am – 12 pm.
Farming Stronger - Tools for Peak Performance
Join us for Farming Stronger: Tools for Peak Performance, a practical, results-driven workshop designed to give farmers the science-backed strategies used by top performers to sustain energy, manage stress, and optimise their operations - even in the toughest seasons.
Date: Tuesday 15 April, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm. Lunch provided.
Location: Ellinbank Football Club, Ellinbank Recreation Reserve, Korumburr-Warragul Road, Warragul South
Date: Wednesday 16 April, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm. Lunch provided.
Location: The Yarram Country Club, 322-340 Commercial Road, Yarram.
Seasonal Stocktake Session
Join Fiona Baker from Agriculture Victoria and Nicole Frost from Peak Pastures and Livestock for a discussion on making the most of pasture, crop and stock decisions for the coming months.
Topics will include:
- Maximising feed from crops and pasture
- Options to rebuild fodder reserves
- Protecting pastures in difficult seasons
- The golden rules of supplementary feeding
- Animal health – what to look out for.
When: Wednesday 23 April, 11 am – 1 pm. Lunch provided.
Where: Benambra Recreation Reserve.
Food & Fibre Gippsland are holding drought resilience workshops in April and May across the region.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
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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