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Barwon South-West Ag news
 
Thursday 3 October 2024
In this edition:
Backing farmers during drought conditions

The Victorian Government is backing farmers impacted by drought conditions in Victoria’s south west with a package of support to deliver on-farm infrastructure grants and increase the region’s resilience into the future.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the $13.53 million package to help farmers in 11 south west Local Government Areas of Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Colac Otway, Surf Coast, West Wimmera, Ararat, Pyrenees and Golden Plains.

Right now, farmers in Victoria's south west are facing the lowest rainfall on record, which is impacting stock and harvest and putting pressure on feed and water.

That’s why the government will invest $12.1 million to help farmers prepare their properties for increasing dry conditions.

Eligible farmers will receive up to $5,000 as a co-contribution grant to support water infrastructure upgrades to pipes, tanks, troughs, dams, stock containment areas, and grain and fodder storage.

The package also includes a $1.43 million investment in counselling and advice for farmers experiencing financial and emotional distress to help them make informed financial decisions and safeguard their wellbeing.

A dedicated Drought Regional Coordinator will be also appointed to make sure support is reaching people effectively.

The support package builds on the existing support available for farmers to prepare for and respond to drought, including through providers such as the National Centre for Farmer Health, farmer workshops and field days, and a database of practical information on the Agriculture Victoria website.

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 invested $59.8 million to help farmers become drought resilient and develop sustainable irrigation practices – in addition to supporting them to prepare for future droughts in partnership with the Commonwealth Government through the $20.4 million in the Future Drought Fund.

For more information on the Drought Support Package visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

The Fast Break - latest edition out now
the fast break newsletter

The latest The Fast Break newsletter is now available. 

This newsletter details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises three-month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria.

To subscribe or to view the latest issue click here.

Have you signed up for Newsflash?

Livestock producers, have you subscribed to the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Newsflash?  

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.

Cutting failed crops for hay or silage

Michele Jolliffe, Agriculture Victoria Dairy Extension Officer

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.

Often moisture-stressed crops have insufficient dry matter before flowering to cut for hay. Making a timely decision to cut hay can prevent poor quality hay.

Cereal growth stages

  • The optimal balance between yield and quality comes when cutting a cereal crop at the boot stage
  • Feed quality declines after plants become reproductive and produce more head and stem material, which is less digestible. Metabolisable energy (ME) and protein generally decline after flowering
  • The quantity of feed increases until early grain fill
  • Cereals tend to produce higher hay yields than canola, particularly after flowering.

Canola growth stages

  • The optimal balance between yield and quality comes when cutting canola at late flowering
  • Metabolisable energy (ME) and protein generally decline after flowering, although ME can rise slightly in canola after flowering
  • Canola can lose leaf and pod material faster than cereals. It doesn’t retain leaves as well as cereals later in the season.
  • While canola can produce higher quality feed than cereals, it produces lower hay yield after flowering.

Soil moisture levels

  • Determine soil moisture levels via tools and soil moisture models. These include soil probe data, SoilWater App, Agriculture Victoria’s soil moisture dashboard and cropping reports.
  • Alternatively, soil sample to identify plant available water and estimate grain yield potential in line with short term weather forecasts. This will allow you to compare likely gross margins from hay or grain and help you decide if it is feasible to cut a grain crop for hay. If you need additional support in making the decision, consult with your agronomist.

Check for withholding periods and approval for use

  • Before cutting or grazing a failed crop, check chemical labels to ensure any applicable withholding periods have expired
  • Ensure the crop hasn’t been sprayed with a chemical carrying a label warning or prohibitive statement that treated crops are not to be grazed or fed to livestock
  • Record information and be prepared for requests or declarations about chemical history to prospective buyers.

Grazing instead of cutting

  • If you have livestock, it is more cost effective to directly graze the crop in a targeted and planned way, rather than cut it for hay
  • Refer to the Drought Feeding Guides for Sheep and Cattle for nutritional requirements and further information.

Soil protection

  • The risk of soil loss from erosion increases when ground cover falls below 50%. Grazing can also increase the risk of erosion.

Estimating hay yield

  • Ideally, hay crops need at least 2.5 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) of dry matter (DM) to avoid excessive hay harvest losses. This is the measurement for dry matter at ground level, not cutting height
  • A simple dry mater calculator is on the Agriculture Victoria website and can be used to determine dry matter
  • The less dry matter, the more hay is lost during baling. For example, a NSW study showed 45% of canola hay was lost during harvest at 1.5 t/ha of DM but this dropped to 19% lost at 3.5 t/ha of DM. Hay baling losses will also vary with machinery and experience
  • If a crop is unsuitable for baling, it can still provide a high-quality grazing opportunity, as livestock will selectively graze the high-quality parts of the plant
  • A simple hay yield calculator is on the Agriculture Victoria website and can be used to compare potential hay yield with grain yield.

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

Free financial counselling available now
kelpie on back of ute 'free finanical counselling'

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 rfcsnetwork.com.au or call 1300 771 741.

Solid results continue for Victorian dairy industry
2023 2024 dairy farm monitor report

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

The 2023–24 Dairy Farm Monitor is an annual survey tracking 80 dairy farm businesses statewide.

In 2023–2024, average profit was strong at $629,000 or $2.64 per kilograms of milk solids.

The varied seasonal conditions across the state for 2023-24 influenced performance and costs among the regions.

Average milk price fell slightly to $9.64 per kilogram milk solids – a 1% decrease on the previous year’s very high price – while total costs for the 2023–24 period remained stable.

Agriculture Victoria Farm Business Economists Program Manager, Claire Waterman said Dairy Farm Monitor participants produced more milk across the state and increased homegrown feed production for their herds, despite some challenges including dry seasonal conditions in the South West and a slightly lower milk price than last year.

‘We thank the Dairy Farm Monitor project participants for their dedicated support to this initiative, providing such valuable information to industry and government.’

Dairy Farm Monitor is a partnership with Dairy Australia, collecting and analysing financial and production data from dryland and irrigated dairy farms in south-western Victoria, Gippsland and northern Victoria.

Dairy Australia General Manager Research and Innovation, Greg Jarman said the Dairy Farm Monitor Project provides vital insight into the factors affecting the profitability and sustainability of dairy farms.

‘The data and insights gained from the project assist farmers and service providers in decision making and support Dairy Australia and the Victorian Government by providing independent and reliable information to inform investment and resource allocation to priority areas,’ Mr Jarman said.

‘This ensures we maintain our focus on the projects and activities that will have the greatest impact on the long-term profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry.’

The 80 project participants represented a distribution of farm size, feeding systems and herd sizes.

There were approximately 2,768 dairy farm businesses in Victoria that produced 5.3 billion litres or 63% of Australia’s national milk production in 2023–24.

Read the 2023–24 Dairy Farm Monitor report.

Avian influenza information pop ups

Agriculture Victoria continues to reach out to local communities at our pop-up information stalls. 

  • Saturday 5 October: Golden Plains Farmers’ Market: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Saturday 5 October: Terang Local Market: 9 am – 1 pm.
  • Sunday 6 October: Camperdown Rotary Market,  8 am - 1 pm.

To learn more, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza

WorkSafe Victoria - It's never you, until it is
its never you until it is

“It’s never you, until it is.

Every death on-farm is preventable.

Find safety support for your farm here.

Check out our free hay calculator
hay bales stacked up

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 on this link.

Then fill in the white boxes – the grey boxes will automatically calculate it for you.

Talk about easy!

Dry seasons webinar recordings available here

The recording of the recent webinar ‘Growing more feed’ with Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Fiona Baker - can be found HERE

Additionally, here are some resources that you might find useful:

Apply for new Future Drought Fund grants to support Aussie farmers
we're with our farmers for the long haul. Future Drought Fund

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

Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants.

Do farmers dream of sheep?
DO FARMERS DREAM OF SHEEP?

You are invited to participate in a study of the sleep health behaviours of farmers and farm workers.

We hope to learn about the risk of undiagnosed sleep apnoea in farmers, how farmers and farm workers prioritise their sleep health, and the barriers and constraints for farmers who wish to seek help for their sleep issues.

FIND OUT MORE AND PARTICIPATE HERE

Fox and wild dog bounty

Victoria’s bounty collections continue.

Please continue to 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.

In case you missed it

Cream of the Crop: Bringing Victorian produce to a wider audience through ice-cream

Agriculture Victoria and Food + Drink Victoria are introducing more Victorians to more local producers – through ice-cream.

Five exclusive ice-cream flavours featuring some of Victoria’s premium agricultural produce from across the state have been developed in partnership with Melbourne ice-creamery Billy van Creamy.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Serving solutions at AltProteins 24 this October

Food Frontier’s AltProteins 24 conference, the largest of its kind in the South Hemisphere, themed ‘Serving Solutions: Building Sustainable Food Systems’ returns to Melbourne next week.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Save the date for pulse industry showcase

Increasing pulse crop profitability will be a key focus of the Wimmera Pulse Agronomy Field Day to be held at Rupanyup on Wednesday 30 October.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Avian influenza restrictions eased

Further changes have been made to control orders surrounding avian influenza cases in Victoria, given that no new cases have been detected since 24 June 2024.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

What's on?

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website. Log on to agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to find out what's on.

Farm Business Program: Agriculture Online Short Course – Module 1
online short course; farm business success program

The Farm Business 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.

Course details:

  • Monday 14 October, 12 to 2 pm - Plan review. 

Register online today.

Visit the Agriculture Victoria website  for all the program details.

Breakfast and farm dam discussion
a dam with a tree in the distance

Join Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officer Clem Sturmfels for breakfast and a discussion about managing farm dams in a difficult season.

DATES:

  • Tuesday 8 October – Nangeela
  • Wednesday 9 October – Nareen
  • Thursday 10 October - Karabeal.

TIME: 8 – 10 am

TOPICS:    

  • rainfall and runoff update
  • dam volume calculations
  • how long will my water last?
  • management strategies.

COST: Free

REGISTRATION ONLINE HERE.

Please register to assist with catering and note this is an outdoor event so suitable clothing is required.

For more information contact Hannah Manning on 0400 532 595 or email.

Online webinar: Are you pinkeye ready?

DATE: Tuesday 8 October

TIME: 12 - 1 pm

REGISTER HERE FOR ONLINE WEBINAR

Are you pinkeye ready?

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.

Precision Soil Mapping on Central Victorian pastures

DATE: Wednesday 9 October
TIME: 9:30 am – 12 pm
WHERE: Graham Faggs – 189 Grahams Road, Mt Mercer.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Beef and sheep producers are invited to join Agriculture Victoria and Precision Agriculture at a field day on precision soil mapping and variable rate fertiliser use in the livestock industry.

This producer demonstration site (PDS) was established in 2021, with funding from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

The 4 demonstration sites are on properties owned by members of the Smeaton and Pyrenees BestWool/BestLamb groups.

Results and insights from the 3-year demonstration will be presented.

Workshop topics

  • visit one of the project demonstration sites and discuss in field variability of soils and some of the drivers of that variability
  • soil variation at the paddock scale
  • variable rate spreading
  • soil testing and fertility
  • economics of precision soil testing and variable rate spreading.

For information about upcoming workshops, dry seasonal conditions or further assistance go to: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

Webinar: Bull selection and soundness

DATE: Wednesday 9 October

TIME: 12:30 - 1:30 pm

REGISTER ONLINE

Agriculture Victoria invites 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.

FAR Australia VIC Crop Technology Centre Field Day - Winchelsea

You’re invited to attend FAR Australia’s Crop Technology Centre annual field day located in Winchelsea where you will have the opportunity to view a range of innovate grains research trials, reinforcing the adage that ‘seeing is believing’.

DATE: Thursday 10 October

TIME:10 am - 4:15 pm

WHERE: 660 Inverleigh-Winchelsea Road, Winchelsea.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Calm the farm events - Casterton and Winchelsea
calm the farm creating a happy healthy workplace casterton 15 october

CASTERTON

DATE: Tuesday 15 October

TIME: 10 am - 12 pm

WHERE: Albion Hotel, 25 Henty Street, Casterton

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

WINCHELSEA

DATE: Tuesday 29 October

TIME: 10 am - 12 pm

WHERE: Barwon Hotel, 1 Main Street, Winchelsea.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Agriculture Victoria has engaged the National Centre for Farmer Health to deliver ‘Calm the Farm’ in Casterton and Winchelsea.

Join us for an interactive and engaging 2-hour workshop that explores ways of reducing work related stress.

Connect with other local farmers as you focus on practical solutions to improve job satisfaction and effectiveness for you and your team.

Continue the conversation over a meal – on us.

Key focus areas:

  • Understand the main work-related risk factors for farmers’ mental health.
  • explore how these may be impacting you and your farm business.
  • develop your own plan to stay on track.
Does it make cents to finish lambs?

Agriculture Victoria is inviting farmers to a 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.

Geoff is experienced in all aspects of sheep production, reproduction, nutrition and finishing. He spent 27 years with NSW DPI in both sheep and wool research and extension roles before establishing his own private sheep consultancy (Sheep Solutions) in 2013. 

WEBINAR REGISTER HERE

DATE: Wednesday 16 October

TIME: 12:30 - 1:30 pm.

The sessions will run for about an hour with a chance to answer questions at the end.

Webinars will be recorded and shared with registered participants even if you miss the webinar.

Chicks in the Sticks returns
chicks in the sticks returns

DATE: Wednesday 23 October

TIME: 9 am - 3 pm

WHERE: Grampians Park Station, Moyston

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

After a 10-year hiatus, Chicks in the Sticks is back! Bring your women in ag friends and enjoy a stimulating day out to share information and ideas about low emissions farming and how it can benefit your farm business.

Featuring leaders in low emissions farming:

Fiona Conroy

Carbon-neutral beef and merino farmer from the Bellarine Peninsula and owner of Nicon Rural which provides practical, evidence-based information to support farmers

Dr Cassandra Schefe

Principal Scientist for The Cool Soil Initiative and owner of AgriSci, working with farmers across the Wimmera to understand how their farming systems impact on their soils

This event is open all farmers interested in low emissions farming.

Tickets are free and available by booking online or emailing bronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au

Includes morning tea and lunch - Delicious, locally sourced produce.

The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program.

The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities, Landcare Victoria and other bodies.

This event is part of the Carbon Farming Outreach Program (CFOP).

2025 Bob Hawke Landcare Award is now open
celebrating landcare and recognising excellence in sustainable agriculture

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.

Subscribe to Barwon South West Ag News

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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 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.

 

 

'Like' our Agriculture Victoria Facebook page.

 

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @VicGovAg

 

Subscribe to the Agriculture Victoria YouTube channel. 

 
 

Email - melanie.curtis@deeca.vic.gov.au

 
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