| Thursday 14 November 2024 |
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| Investing in the future of our rising farming leaders |
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Victoria’s brightest young farming leaders will be supported to invest in their future and explore new learning opportunities while being backed by the Victorian Government to build the future of agriculture in Victoria.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently presented 16 recipients with their scholarship certificates for this year’s Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarships at Parliament House.
Each scholarship will receive up to $5,000 to pursue new learning opportunities and a further $5,000 in putting their new skills into practice.
Successful applicants will receive training to build their knowledge and expertise in areas such as irrigation, agronomy, conservation and land management, as well as core business skills in areas including accounting, human resources and marketing.
Once they have completed their studies, applicants can invest in modern technology and equipment, on-farm strategies and planning, and their own professional development to kickstart their career as a farmer.
Anurag Bhangu, a beekeeper from Gippsland, is committed to enhancing his skills by completing a workshop on artificial insemination of queen bees, as well as a bee breeding course.
He will also invest in a queen bee artificial insemination kit.
This will enable him to selectively breed queen bees that are better suited to the region’s cooler climate and more resistant to Varroa mite.
Amy Byrne helps manage a mixed-farming enterprise in north-east Victoria.
She will upskill by completing the lifetime ewe management course and seek the support of a consultant to support her to invest in electronic identification equipment.
Since 2015, the government has awarded 133 Young Farmers Upskill and Invest scholarships to students who demonstrated drive and innovation.
Many of the previous recipients have gone on to play a vital role in industry leadership positions such as the Victorian Young Farmers Advisory Council.
The council represents the views of young farmers and provides advice to government to help grow a sustainable and profitable agriculture sector.
For more information on the young farmer programs visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.
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| Grants up to $1 million to support businesses development and create jobs |
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Dahlsen’s Steel Truss and Frame at Newmerella, a joint venture between Dahlsens and Built QA. They received a $500,000 grant in Round 1 of the Forestry Transition Fund grants program.
The Forestry Transition Fund aims to support business development and the creation of jobs across all industry sectors in towns or communities affected by the end of native timber harvesting.
Following the successful delivery of round 1 of the Forestry Transition Fund grants program, round 2 is now open with grants between $10,000 and $1 million available to eligible businesses and industry groups to expand, diversify or start new businesses.
Successful grant applicants may also be eligible for a Transitioning Timber Worker Employment Incentive Payment of up to $20,000 per ex-native timber worker the project employs.
Applications will be accepted from business and industry groups, including chambers of commerce and associations, peak bodies and business networks, as well as councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations that act as a business .
Expressions of Interest are now open, and applications close at 5 pm on 31 October 2025.
For more information and to view the guidelines visit the Forestry Transition Fund or call 1800 318 182.
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| Help our high country – report invasive hawkweed |
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This spring, enjoy our high country while helping to preserve its beauty and biodiversity.
While bushwalking, mountain biking or hiking, we encourage you to report invasive hawkweed and help protect our environment and agriculture.
Hawkweed poses a significant threat to our local ecosystems, spreading quickly and releasing chemicals that prevent other plants from growing.
This is why you must report it immediately if you see it.
What to look for
All hawkweeds have hairy leaves and stems. Leaves form a low growing rosette.
King devil hawkweed (Hieracium praealtum or Pilosella piloselloides)
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yellow flowers with square-ended petals
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clusters of up to 25 flower heads per stem.
Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella or Pilosella officinarum)
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yellow flower with square-ended petals
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solitary flower on each stem.
Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum or Pilosella aurantiaca)
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bright orange flowers with square-ended petals
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clusters of 5 to 30 flower heads per stem.
Know exactly what you’re looking for and check out our identification video and 3D model of Orange hawkweed before heading out.
Beware of look-alikes
When identifying hawkweed, be aware of similar-looking plants that are often mistaken for hawkweed, like common dandelion and native yam daisy which are hairless and have a single flower per stalk.
Knowing your hawkweed means timely and targeted intervention, but even if in doubt it is better to still report.
What to do
If you think you have seen hawkweed:
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| New 'The Very Fast Break' video available |
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The Very Fast Break is delivered monthly as short YouTube videos summarising oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers and the summarised model predictions for rainfall and temperature for Victoria.
View the latest here.
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Fatigue isn't the same as being sleepy or drowsy. It’s about pushing our bodies beyond their mental and physical limits day after day, with no time to recover.
Watch the video of farmer Simon Craig and get tips to manage fatigue on your farm.
You can learn more about managing fatigue at the WorkSafe website.
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| Looking for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) safety resources for your horticulture farm? |
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This Farming Safe and Well tip of the week is to share the Fruit Growers Vic safety videos with your workers, available in 9 languages.
Keep an eye out for more safety videos from Fruit Growers Vic coming soon.
Keep yourself, your family, and your workers safe and well – know how to manage the risks.
Visit the website for more information.
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| Funding for AgTech startups – applications close November 19 |
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The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is a $2 million co-investment fund for Victorian AgTech startups run by LaunchVic with funding from Agriculture Victoria.
The fund invests up to $200,000 alongside individual investors, angel groups and early-stage VC’s.
Up to $30,000 of the investment is provided as a grant to the startup, the remainder is taken as equity.
This means founders hold more stake in their company at the early stages.
For more information or to apply click here.
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| Apply today! Funding available for irrigation demonstration trials |
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Apply today for funding to trial emerging irrigation technologies and methods on your farm.
Rebates of up to $30,000 are available for farming businesses in the Lake Wellington catchment, which includes the Latrobe, Narracan, Morwell, Tanjil, Thomson, Macalister and Avon rivers and their tributaries.
Projects should aim to achieve one or more of the following objectives:
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reduce nutrient runoff from irrigated land
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manage salinity on irrigated land
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promote regional economic growth
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enhance cultural or social values in irrigation communities
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reduce greenhouse gas emissions of irrigation systems.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 4 pm Tuesday 26 November 2024. Apply here.
This project is delivered in partnership with West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
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| Future Drought Fund grants closing next week |
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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 6 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
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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.
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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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Landmark tax ruling - a win for native timber workers
Native timber workers will get more money in their pockets when they receive support from the Victorian Government, following a landmark class ruling by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Read the full media release here.
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Avian influenza control area orders updated
Agriculture Victoria has lifted the control area order for Terang that was put in place for the current H7 avian influenza outbreak.
Read the full media release here.
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DAMDEEP tool impresses farmers
A simple device for measuring the depth of a farm dam was introduced to landholders at a series of workshops recently.
Read the full media release here.
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Italian researcher landing at Tatura SmartFarm to study
Italian agronomist and PhD student, Mirko Piani, recently started a 6-month PhD project at the Agriculture Victoria Tatura SmartFarm.
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: Farm Safety and Stock Handling session |
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Join VFF Stock Sense for a free informative session on Farm Safety and Stock Handling.
Network with fellow farmers and gain valuable knowledge to enhance the safety and operations of your farm.
When: Friday 15 November
Where: 981 Grantville-Glen Alvie Road, Almurta.
Register here.
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| Regenerative Agriculture Discussion Group – Newry Demonstration Site - five-year update |
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When: Tuesday 19 November, 10 am - 1 pm.
Where: Newry (address provided after registration).
Register here.
The Newry Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration project aims to better understand how dairy farmers can profitably produce milk while accumulating carbon in the soil, and to better understand what is needed to enhance microbial life in the soil.
Farm hosts Peter Neaves and Kate Mirams will share their journey over the last five years, including:
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multi species (annuals to perennials) vs Ryegrass and clover (annuals to perennials)
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comparison of plant root depth and water use
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encouraging soil microbiology
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seed treatment
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using microbe friendly nutrients with a Tow and Fert
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taking the system to the whole farm impact on t DM harvested, kg N/ha use and $/ha fert spend.
David Huggins from Huggins Nutritional Services will discuss:
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corrective nutrient applications what and why
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soil drench and foliar nutrients
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using total and available nutrient soil tests - results on Multi Species and Ryegrass
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plant tissue test results on multi species and ryegrass
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using a penetrometer, brix meter, micro-biometer and other methods to assess soil health.
Rick Blackshaw from Gippsland Ag Group will take deep soil cores on the day and talk through visual soil assessment.
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| Pasture comparisons, complementary cropping and getting the best from your Kikuyu |
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When: Wednesday 4 December, 9:30 am - 1 pm.
Where: Gippsland Agricultural Group, 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale.
Register here.
Look at the trial site pasture comparisons and discuss suitability for your region.
We get a snapshot of what complementary crops have worked for some farmers.
Then wrap up with shared experience on how to get the best out of Kikuyu and ryegrass seasonality.
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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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