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| Will emergency services be able to access your property? |
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Make sure roadside numbers are visible, vegetation around gates, culverts and bridges has been cleared, and gates are wide enough and easy to open.
Check out the tips and templates in the Farm Fire Preparedness Toolkit. Download a copy on our website.
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| Have your say on strengthening Victoria’s biosecurity laws |
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Agriculture Victoria is seeking your feedback on two proposals aimed at strengthening the state’s biosecurity system – critical to protecting agriculture, public health, animal welfare, and market access.
Acting Executive Director at Agriculture Victoria, Kris Duthie invites farmers, veterinarians, livestock owners, agricultural and horticultural businesses, including nursery, and the general public, to have their say on two proposals.
The first is introducing a general biosecurity duty for animals and plants – creating a shared responsibility to proactively manage biosecurity risks.
'When we say ‘duty’, we mean an obligation for all community members to take reasonable steps to identify, prevent, and manage biosecurity risks.'
'Importantly, ‘reasonable and practical steps’ would vary depending on the context and activity, and the duty would be designed to be achievable by all,' said Ms Duthie.
'For instance, a farmer might monitor animals for disease and ensure feed is sourced from reputable suppliers, while a gardener might check plants for pests and diseases and avoid moving contaminated materials. Contractors or farm visitors could meet the duty by using footbaths, cleaning equipment and signing in at farms.'
The second proposal is about improving the data quality of livestock Property Identification Codes (PICs), to ensure the property details and animal species are current and accurate, particularly for mixed species and small landholders.
'This could include mandatory updates to livestock PIC records that would enhance data accuracy, supporting better traceability, emergency preparedness, and disease response,' said Ms Duthie.
'We’re seeking community feedback to help identify potential risks, challenges, and unintended consequences, and ensure the reforms are practical and effective. Please get your feedback in by 28 February.'
Following the consultation period, Agriculture Victoria will consider feedback, which will then be used to refine the proposals and inform next steps. To have your say visit Engage Victoria.
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| Back On Track by National Centre for Farmer Health |
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Are you feeling overwhelmed, unusually frustrated or angry? Are you struggling to make decisions, losing concentration or avoiding family and friends? Are you feeling tired all the time, physically run down or stuck in a rut? Back On Track is an innovative, peer-guided mental health initiative designed to support farming communities.
Find out more and register your interest in the trial here.
Funded by the Gardiner Foundation and led by the National Centre for Farmer Health, this program focuses on improving mental health outcomes for farmers by providing practical, culturally appropriate support delivered by trusted community members.
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A 10 x session program (approximately 1 x hour per week over 10 weeks)
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Guidance from peer coaches trained in behavioural activation—an evidence based method for boosting mood
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Flexibly delivered to reduce barriers to accessing support.
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| Important step to protect Victorian cats and wildlife |
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The Victorian Government is improving the health and wellbeing of domestic cats and protecting our unique native wildlife with the launch of the state’s first cat management strategy.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos recently launched the 10 year cat management strategy which will improve responsible ownership and education programs, and increase desexing rates.
The strategy also addresses the challenges of unowned and semi-owned cats, which make up most of the cat intake at shelters. It will look at ways to promote full and responsible ownership of these cats and target programs to capture, desex and rehome.
Feral cat management is another key focus. The strategy will improve information sharing between councils with successful cat management strategies and deliver more flexible registration options.
Importantly, the strategy recognises that cat management is a shared responsibility between councils, the State Government, community members and animal welfare organisations.
Cats are much loved companions and family members, but growing cat populations bring challenges. These include a threat to native wildlife and an increasing demand on councils and shelters.
Victoria is home to more than 227,000 registered cats, along with a significant number of unregistered, unowned or feral cats in Victoria.
To read the cat management strategy, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals
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| National Food Safety Standards factsheet |
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Do you grow berries, leafy vegetables or melons?
Check out our factsheet on the new National Food Safety Standards coming into effect February 12 2025.
The factsheet covers everything businesses need to know about the Standards in Victoria including which businesses they affect, the different registration pathways, where and how to register, the cost and frequently asked questions.
Head to our food safety for horticulture producers webpage to view the factsheet and find out more about the Food Safety Standards.
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| The Gippsland Farm Forestry Program grants are closing soon! |
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Grants are available for landowners to grow trees for timber as well as other benefits including:
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providing shelter for stock, crops and pastures
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improved farm amenity and biodiversity
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carbon storage.
The program supports the planting of:
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wood lots
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shelterbelts
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wide space plantings.
Grants are open until 7 March 2025.
More information on the Gippsland farm forestry grant program here.
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| Gippsland Drought Resilience Plan |
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Drought is a recurring feature in the Australian landscape, and is experienced differently across the Gippsland region.
The Plan identifies 5 themes critical to building resilience.
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) program aims to increase regional resilience to the impacts of drought. The initiative is co-funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government.
Find out more about the Gippsland Drought Resilience Plan here.
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| Free financial counselling with RFCS |
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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.
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Check out our media releases shared over the Christmas/New Year break
On topics such as farm laneways, blue-green algae, upgrading farm water equipment, stock in confinement, sinking a bore, what to consider when buying supplementary feed and much more.
Search on our website here.
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2024 game bird harvest report now available
The Game Management Authority (GMA) has released the Estimates of duck and Stubble Quail harvest in Victoria 2024 report.
Read the full media release here.
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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.
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| VFF Stock Sense Goat Webinar Series |
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Session 1 - 30 January, 6 - 7:30 pm
Alternative treatments for worms in goats with Dr Marisa Wood
Session 2 - 6 February, 6 - 7:30 pm
Kidding, care of newborns and pregnancy toxaemia in goats with Dr Sandra Baxendell
Register for the events here.
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| Understanding carbon on farms - webinar |
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When: Wednesday 5 February, 12 - 1 pm
Register for the online event here.
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| Forestry Transition Program drop-in sessions |
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Do you want to know more about current grants on offer through the Forestry Transition Program?
The mobile Forestry Information Hub will be at:
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Omeo Community Hub
179 Day Ave, Omeo
Wednesday 5 February, 8:30 -10:30 am and 3 - 5 pm.
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Swifts Creek Community Centre
6879 Great Alpine Road, Swifts Creek
Thursday 6 February, 8:30 - 10:30 am and 3 – 5 pm.
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Bruthen Mechanics Hall
49 Main Street, Bruthen
Wednesday 12 February, 10 am – 12 Midday
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Cann River Community Centre
13 Princes Highway, Cann River
Thursday 20 February, 10 am – 12 Midday
The drop-in sessions are open to businesses and community members, and will provide information about grants, their objectives, eligibility and assessment criteria.
It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Please drop in and meet the friendly team. For more information about the Forestry Transition Program visit the website.
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| Online Farm Business Resilience Program |
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When: Wednesday 12 February, Wednesday 19 February, Wednesday 26 February, Wednesday 5 March and Wednesday 19 March, 12 to 3 pm.
Register for the events here.
We invite farmers to join us for the online Farm Business Resilience program, built to support farmers to expand their knowledge and skills to strengthen their farm business and be better equipped to manage the risks associated with a variable climate.
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Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals - Wednesday, 12 February
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Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making - Wednesday, 19 February
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Module 3: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety - Wednesday, 26 February
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Module 4: Climate risk and natural resource management - Wednesday, 5 March
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Module 5: Business planning - Wednesday, 19 March
As part of completing the course, participants will be offered a one-on-one session with Adam Jenkins from Rural People Co to review their business plan.
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| 2025 Gippsland Red Meat Conference |
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When it comes to making improvements on your farm or in your business, ask yourself:
What can I do now?
What can I do next?
What can I do later?
Join us at the Gippsland Red Meat Conference at the Riviera Convention Centre, 103 Bairnsdale Dargo Road, Bairnsdale.
Tuesday 18 February, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Register for the event here.
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| Sale Changemaker Workshop |
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When: 4 and 5 February, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Where: The Criterion Hotel, Sale.
Join a network of changemakers across rural, regional and remote Australia.
Register for the event here.
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The Herd'25 conference has a program tailored to attract the herd improvement, genetics and animal performance industry. Featuring a strong lineup of speakers from Australia and worldwide.
Several world leaders are on the program this year and the Herd'25 gathering provides an opportunity for all interested in dairy herd improvement to unite, network and learn.
When: 12 and 13 March, 9:30 am.
Where: All-Seasons Resort Hotel, Bendigo.
Register for the event here.
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Enjoying the Gippsland Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.
It's easy – simply click this link.
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| Contacting Agriculture Victoria |
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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.
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