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Thursday 18 May 2023
In this edition:
LATEST NEWS
More time for Victorian farmers to apply for flood assistance

Farmers in Victoria affected by last year’s storms and floods now have more time to apply for flood recovery financial support, including grants of up to $75,000, concessional loans and assistance with transport costs.

Delivered under the Primary Producer Flood Recovery Package as part of a suite of financial support valued at over $300 million, the support package is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Eligible primary producers now have until 4 pm local time on Thursday 13 July to apply for the:

  • Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant (up to $75,000)
  • Rural Landholder Grant (up to $25,000)
  • Flood Recovery Transport Support Program (up to $15,000)
  • Primary Producer Flood Recovery Concessional Loan (up to $250,000).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the extension would help ensure farm businesses and communities were supported in the clean-up and recovery.

'Last year’s disaster caused significant damage and disruption to communities across Victoria, through flash flooding, landslips, road damage and closures and impacts from fallen trees,' Minister Watt said.

'We know that for farmers especially, cleaning-up, managing disease and pests, and the shortage of contractors are serious challenges which may have impacted their ability to consider financial assistance.

Victorian Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Gayle Tierney MP, said the extension of time for the submission of applications would help relieve some of the workload farmers were dealing with.

'By extending the date of our flood recovery support, we’re making sure farmers who were affected later have more time to assess damages and complete their applications for financial assistance.'

'The Primary Producer Flood Recovery Package will be essential in helping farmers get their businesses back on track and thriving once again,' Minister Tierney said.

For more information on the range of financial support measures available for the 6 October 2022 to 13 January 2023 floods and storms, visit Rural Finance at www.ruralfinance.com.au or call 1800 260 425.

Victorian flood and storm support for farmers
Text on green background; reads: application time for primary producer financial support extended.

A range of support measures are available for flood and storm-affected farmers.

Information about these measures can be found at agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods

For any urgent animal welfare needs, please contact 136 186.  

Farmers are encouraged to contact the Agriculture Recovery team on 0427 694 185 (Mon-Fri between 8:30 am and 5 pm) or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Technical information and decision-making support  

Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers and industry to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters (including floods and storms) through delivery of technical information and decision-making support services to help farm business recovery, including:

  • grazing, cropping and pasture management
  • irrigation and horticulture system rehabilitation
  • soil erosion management 
  • land management
  • animal health and nutrition 
  • farm mapping and planning 
  • water quality
  • weed management.

Ag recovery newsletter

Farmers and service providers are encouraged to subscribe to the Flood Recovery digital newsletter to access latest events and information.

Ag recovery events

For information on events and field days across the state please visit the Events page on the Agriculture Victoria website. 

Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery package

Flood and storm-affected farmers and growers are eligible to apply for financial support via the current flood recovery grants.

Applications for primary producer and rural landholder financial supports related to the October 2022 to 13 January 2023 flood and storm event have been extended to 13 July 2023.

Applications close at 4 pm on Thursday 13 July 2023.

The extension applies to:

  1. Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to support the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again. Note: This replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up, Relief Grants announced on 19 October. Producers that have received a Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Primary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000.
  2. Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to support the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.
  3. Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover short-term business expenses. This loan has been amended to allow primary producers who suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the 2022 Victorian floods and storms but who did not suffer direct damage to assets to apply for a concessional loan of up to $100,000
  4. Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

To apply for support or for more information, visit the Rural Finance website.

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free and independent financial information, options, decision-making support and referral services to farmers and small, related rural businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. They can also assist farmers to apply for financial assistance.

To connect with your local service call 1300 771 741 or visit the National Emergency Management Agency.

National Centre for Farmer Health: flood response support
national centre for farmer health banner: supporting farmers, farm works and farming families

The National Centre for Farmer Health is committed to supporting primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were damaged or lost in the floods and storms through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing, including:

  • A supportive online community through the #BuildingFarmSpirit social media campaign
  • Free access to online psychology support delivered by farmer health trained psychologists
  • Support for community events providing social connection and mental health promotion opportunities for farmers, farming families and farming communities
  • Distribution of mental health resources and support information.

More information is available on the National Centre for Farmer Health website.

Training opportunities for women
Woman standing behind a conveyor belt of tomatoes

Looking for a new challenge?

We’re making it easier than ever for women across Victoria to learn new skills for their chosen career or retrain to get the job of their dreams.

Even with a previous qualification, Victorians may now be eligible for free TAFE and other government-subsidised courses, giving an additional 2 million Victorians access to more than 500 courses.

With free TAFE, you could undertake courses in community services, nursing, agriculture, early childhood, construction and more without the cost of tuition.

Want to know more?

Find the course you’re looking for at Connecting People with Skills

Retiring grain scientist’s career celebrated
Dr Joe Panozzo in the lab

Caption: Dr Joe Panozzo

One of Agriculture Victoria’s most respected researchers, Dr Joe Panozzo recently retired after more than 35 years of service with Agriculture Victoria.

In the eyes of his former colleagues, Dr Joe Panozzo remains an incredibly humble and approachable person despite all of his achievements in agricultural research.

Commencing with grower funded Victorian Wheat Institute as a wheat quality scientist in the 1980s, Dr Panozzo worked closely with three wheat breeding programs to determine quality traits in the early generations of the breeds.

A friend and mentor to many, he has supervised 11 PhD students during their studies at Horsham and continues to instil his passion for agricultural research as an honorary supervisor at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Simone Warner, head of Agriculture Victoria Research thanked Dr Panozzo for his service to Victorian agriculture.

‘Dr Panozzo is recognised globally for his vast experience in grains research.

'He has led research and development projects in wheat breeding, pulses, oilseeds and ruminant feed nutrition that many organisations have benefitted from.

‘The significance of his scientific contributions is evident in the 140 plus publications that bear his name and his team’s research findings have been cited more than 4,300 times.

'Agriculture Victoria is very thankful to Joe for his contributions that have been such a benefit, to our organisation and Victoria.'

Acting Research Director and Horsham SmartFarm Site Manager, Dr Garry Rosewarne said Dr Panozzo has been a great colleague and friend to many.

‘I worked with Joe first-hand in our pulse breeding programs and he has revolutionised how we assess quality in such a way that it goes hand in hand with our genomics capabilities.

‘His wealth of knowledge and experience will be sorely missed,’ Dr Rosewarne said.

Dr Panozzo said he would look back at his time at Agriculture Victoria with fondness and the Horsham site as a truly wonderful place to undertake agricultural-based research that had clear economic benefits for Victoria.

At the height of his career, Dr Panozzo was awarded the Farrer medal which perpetuates the achievements of Australia’s first wheat breeder William Farrer and the prestigious Australasian Grain Science Association FB Guthrie Medal for ‘outstanding scientific achievement and contribution to knowledge in the field of grain science’.

Subscribe to Victorian Biosecurity Matters
Victorian biosecurity matters

Agriculture Victoria has launched a new monthly e-newsletter, Victorian Biosecurity Matters, to serve as a key hub for all biosecurity-related content.

The monthly publication will cover topics such as emergency animal diseases, marine pests, pest animals, plant diseases, weeds, pest insects and mites, food safety and on-farm biosecurity plans.

Victorian Biosecurity Matters will pool together all of Agriculture Victoria’s biosecurity content into one publication, making it a valuable resource for farmers, small landholders, animal owners, veterinarians, and anyone with an interest to stay up to date with the most relevant information in relation to our agriculture industry.

It's Agriculture Victoria’s goal to ensure Victorians understand the importance of biosecurity and the role they can play in maintaining a healthy and sustainable agriculture industry.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, Victorian Biosecurity Matters has something for everyone.

Subscribing to the free newsletter is easy.

Livestock Farm Monitoring Project looking for participants
livestock farm monitor sheep and been farm benchmarking

Spots are now available in a free and trusted sheep and beef farm benchmarking project.    

Find out how your farm stacks up against similar businesses across the state by participating in Agriculture Victoria’s Livestock Farm Monitor Project.

All information is treated as highly confidential.

For more information see the project website or contact fmp.Victoria@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Victorian Gorse Taskforce community grants now open
victorian gorse taskforce community grants now open

Speak with your local community group about applying for a VGT grant.

Funding

Community groups may apply for funding up to $8,000 for on-ground gorse control works on private land. All participating landholders involved may receive up to $1,500 in grant funding and must match this with their own monetary contribution.

Timeline

The 2023-24 Community Grants Program is now open and will close on 30 June 2023. If gorse is a problem across your area the VGT encourages you to connect with your local community group and apply now.

Eligibility

  • Grants are available to Victorian community groups e.g., Landcare or Friends of Groups only.
  • Funding is available for gorse control on private land only.
  • Projects must promote and carry out gorse control that aligns with the Gorse National Best Practice Manual.
  • Incentives to participating individual properties must be capped at $1,500 per property ownership.
  • Participating landholders must sign a 3-year voluntary work agreement that commits them to maintaining all necessary follow-up gorse control at their expense.

For more information about the grants, head to: vicgorsetaskforce.com.au/community-projects/community-grants

Or send your inquiry to info@vicgorsetaskforce.com.au

Fox and wild dog bounty collections for South East Victoria

Victorian fox and wild dog collections continue.

Submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and/or entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward.

Participants need to register for the new digital payment system and should refresh their knowledge of the terms and conditions to ensure their submissions are acceptable.

Visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty

The South East Victoria collection schedule for May is listed below:

Ellinbank collections: fox and wild dog
1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank

Monday 22 May, 2 – 4 pm

Bairnsdale collections: fox and wild dog
35 Bairnsdale – Dargo Road, Bairnsdale

Tuesday 23 May, 12 – 2 pm

Maffra collections: fox and wild dog
1 Stratford Road, Maffra

Wednesday 24 May, 9 – 11 am

Yarram collections: fox only
Rodgers Street, Yarram

Wednesday 24 May, 2 – 4 pm

Woori Yallock collections: fox only
Symes Road, Woori Yallock

Thursday 25 May, 12 – 2 pm

The full schedule is available here

Feral pig monitoring videos
new invasives species videos available

Feral pigs are becoming an increasing threat to biosecurity, agricultural production and the natural environment in Victoria.

Click here to learn more about feral pigs and control methods.

Citrus traceability
international day of plant health, trace the taste

International Day of Plant Health on May 12 offered a great opportunity to learn about the systems that support food security – like traceability.

The Australian citrus industry exports a whopping 304,000 tonnes of fruit each year to export countries at a value of $500 million!

And to make sure the whole world knows exactly where their Australian citrus is coming from, we’ve helped fund technology that links the buyer back to the orchards where it’s grown.

The Citrus Traceability Project has labelled 600,000 bags and boxes of citrus fruit with specially marked QR codes - every code is unique and scanning enables two-way flow of information from farm to fork.

Learn more here or scan the QR code above.

AgVic Talk on all things AgTech and Energy
animated graphice with a road down the centre, solar panels to one side and hills in the background; text reads: Ag Tech and Energy

AgVic Talk podcast is back for season five, this time talking about the future of Agricultural Technologies (AgTech) and Energy.

From solar-powered poultry farms to on-farm drone trials and the difficulties of connectivity in rural and remote areas, this season covers everything you need to further understand the evolving world of AgTech and Energy.

The series will help farmers learn what AgTech is, what energy solutions are available and how they can use them to improve productivity and efficiency on-farm.

These 14 episodes are the latest in the AgVic Talk series, which began as a pilot in August 2020 to cover contemporary commentary on how members of the agricultural community recover, grow, modernise, protect, and promote Victorian agriculture.

You can subscribe and listen to AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts:

  • Subscribe to AgVic Talk on Spotify
  • Subscribe to Apple podcasts.
Footy's favourite farmer
we're on the hunt for footy's favourite farmer

From cattle to cropping, Gippsland to the Mallee, and everything in between, we're on the hunt for this year's Footy's Favourite Farmer!

Last year, Ricky Allan was a worthy winner, displaying leadership in multiple roles at the Wycheproof Narraport Football Club, such as the presidency, senior and juniors' coach and more, all while supporting his family and the community as a farmer.

Who do you think deserves the 2023 title as Footy's Favourite Farmer?

There's over $20,000 worth of prizes up for grabs - for the farmer and their local club, and you could even win a spot prize yourself!

Nominate your favourite farmer today.

Hurry - get your entries in before Wednesday 26 July to be in the running.

In case you missed it

Primary producer loans and more disaster recovery assistance for hail-impacted Victorians

Victorian primary producers in the City of Greater Shepparton and the Yarra Ranges Local Government Areas can now apply for concessional loans of up to $250,000 following a hailstorm event on 23 March this year.

The loans are part of a range of assistance jointly funded by the Australian and Victoria Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Applications open for Dairy Australia Board positions

The Dairy Australia Board is seeking directors to fill upcoming vacancies and to be appointed at the November 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

What's on – online and on-farm events

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can be found in one spot on our website. Log on to the Events page to keep in touch with upcoming events.

Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) field days

There are now 17 soil moisture probes across central and east Gippsland.

These sessions will explore how soil moisture probes can be a tool to make more informed/timely management decisions.

What’s on the agenda?

  • Getting to know the demonstrations site and project. 
  • Trigger points in farm management: What do you use? What do you need to know?
  • Soil moisture probes – what, how and where?
  • The potential to use soil moisture probe data to manage seasonal variability.

The sites will explore how information from soil probes can benefit seasonal management decisions.

MLA’s PDS program supports producers to adapt, validate and demonstrate the value of integrating new management practices into local farming systems.

Bairnsdale

WHAT: Soils, Pastures and Soil Moisture Probes
WHEN: 23 May, from 3 - 5 pm
WHERE: Gippsland Research Farm, 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale.

Buchan

WHAT: Soils, Pastures and Soil Moisture Probes
WHEN: 24 May, from 10 am to 1 pm
WHERE: Buchan Pub.

RSVP and for more information

Janice Dowe on 0437 282 315 or email 

Climate Resilient Pastures Field Days

Briagalong

DATE: Wednesday 31 May
LOCATION: John Mosley’s farm, 43 Gorge Rd, Briagalong

Giffard

DATE: Thursday 1 June
LOCATION: Trent Anderson’s farm, 50 Goodings Rd, Giffard

TIME: 10 am – 1:30 pm

COST: Free, includes morning tea and lunch

REGISTRATION

Please contact James Paulet by 29 May by email or call/SMS 0447 695 839.

These workshops aim to inform farmers about how to manage their perennial pastures.

Starting with being in the paddock, Fiona Baker will present the MLA Pasture Paramedic, a tool for scoring your pastures to identify opportunities to improve them by either changing grazing practices or through renovation.

Then we will look at a deep soil core and discuss what we can see and how the soil would influence your decisions about your pasture management.

We will also get to see Gippsland Agricultural Group’s new soil corer in action.

After lunch Liz Semmens, will present to us on options for sowing now to provide spring feed, as well as incorporating that into a renovation/improvement plan for sowing of a pasture in autumn.

Lastly, to finish off the day we will have a discussion linking the three sessions to help you identify opportunities to implement on your own farm.

Topics covered:

  • How to assess your pastures and identify opportunities for improving your pastures
  • Local soil conditions
  • Demonstration of a deep coring soil machine
  • Sowing options now for quick spring feed
  • Steps to take now and into spring to prepare for renovation in autumn
  • Identifying steps you can take in your business to improve your pastures and soils.
GippsDairy Muster

When: Wednesday 7 June

Time: 9:30 am to 3 pm

Where: The Regent Theatre, 210 Commercial Road, Yarram

Dinner:  A networking dinner with the topic 'The Human Agronomy of Farming' is also on offer from 6:30 pm to late, Yarram Football Club Rooms, Railway Reserve, Yarram.

RSVP: Places are filling fast, please register for this event by Wednesday 31 May by clicking HERE.

2023 BestWool/BestLamb Conference
bestwool/bestlamd industry dinner and conference 2023

The Ag Vic 2023 BestWool/BestLamb Conference will be held at the Bendigo Showgrounds on Tuesday 20 June.

A pre-conference dinner will take place on Monday 19 June at the All Seasons Resort Hotel in Bendigo to celebrate 25 years of the BestWool/BestLamb program.

Our dinner guest speaker will be Mark Wales, former SAS and winner of TV series Australian Survivor.

The line-up of conference speakers is sure to inform, challenge and excite participants with the most up to date sheep industry research and information.

Early bird registrations are now on sale until 31 May.

Click here for the conference program and registration.

For more information contact Lyndon Kubeil on 0418 532 085 or lyndon.kubeil@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Future Drought Fund Science to Practice Forum – registrations now open

Registrations are now open for the Future Drought Fund’s 2023 Science to Practice Forum, 6–8 June 2023.

The annual forum is a showcase of the innovative tools and practices helping Australian farmers and communities respond to a changing climate and prepare for future drought.

Award-winning television journalist and presenter of ABC TV’s Landline, Pip Courtney, will host this year’s online forum and facilitate engaging discussions, with each day focussed on a particular theme:

  • Tuesday 6 June – Research and Development: Data-driven projects, stories around research trials and outcomes, future-driven content and content relevant to opportunities under the Future Drought Fund for Natural Resource Management, farming systems groups and research bodies.
  • Wednesday 7 June – Farmers, Producers and Agricultural Advisors: Stories of drought and preparing for it, ‘call-to-action’ presentations, content relevant to opportunities under the FDF for producers and their communities, farmer and farm-advisor delivered stories.
  • Thursday 8 June – Community and Policy: Community and social projects, including presentations on farmer wellbeing and community resilience in the context of drought, policy discussions and input from FDF network partners.

The forum connects participants to research and activities building the sustainability of Australian agriculture and is an opportunity to collaborate and network with like-minded people.

Register for the 2023 Science to Practice Forum via Eventbrite.

Ellinbank SmartFarm Energy Demonstrations

WHEN: Wednesday 14 June

TIME: 10 am - 1 pm (this includes a farm walk and optional extras)

RSVP: By 10 June to agriculture.policy@vic.gov.au

Agriculture Victoria is presenting a tour of the on-farm energy demonstrations at the Ellinbank SmartFarm on Wednesday 14 June.

This tour will showcase renewable energy technologies with learnings that apply to all farming sectors.

A presentation on energy upgrades in the dairy is offered as an optional extra.

Join other industry stakeholders and farmers to see how these energy technologies work, and hear about the issues experienced, the real costs and savings achieved.

Second International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards & Vineyards

Mark your calendars!

From 3-8 December scientists, industry experts and leading horticultural and viticultural growers will converge on Tatura for the Second International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards & Vineyards (PMOV23).

Agriculture Victoria is accepting Abstract Submissions for PMOV23 until 31 May.

More information will be available in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled!

Subscribe to Gippsland 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 Twitter @VicGovAg

 

Subscribe to the Agriculture Victoria YouTube channel. 

 
 

Privacy | Email: melanie.curtis@agriculture.vic.gov.au

 
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