In this edition:

• Varroa mite detected in Victoria
• Avian influenza movement restrictions eased
• Avian Influenza - remain vigilant
• Ag Vic contacting land owners near Meredith and Terang
• Avian influenza community information sessions
• Dry seasons support
• National Science Week at Horsham and Mildura SmartFarms
• New telehandler licence training available
• Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring program applications now open
• Free financial counselling
• Winter webinar series recordings now available
• Apiarist faces court for ignoring destruction orders
• Recording: Victoria's spring seasonal outlook
• Innovative solutions to biosecurity control
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed Varroa mite has been detected for the first time in Victoria at a property in Nangiloc near Mildura.

The infested hive was identified during Agriculture Victoria’s surveillance activities which are carried out each year during almond pollination.

Agriculture Victoria Acting Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Stephen Dibley said Agriculture Victoria is working with the affected beekeeper and others close by to minimise spread and guide management actions.

'This early detection of Varroa mite enables Victorian beekeepers to prepare and manage their hives effectively,' Dr Dibley said.

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a parasite of adult honey bees and honey bee brood. It weakens and kills honey bee colonies and can also transmit honey bee viruses.

It was first detected in Australia near Newcastle in NSW in 2022 and is being managed through the National Varroa Mite Response Plan which is focussed on preparing industry to live with and effectively manage Varroa mite.

Varroa mite does not affect native bees.

In line with the National Varroa Mite Response Plan, Agriculture Victoria is working closely with beekeepers and orchardists to minimise the impacts on beehives and the almond pollination.

A team of 12 Varroa Development Officers have been recruited in Victoria under the National Varroa Mite Response Plan and they are available to provide guidance directly to beekeepers on how to manage Varroa mite and appropriately utilise the chemical control options available.

There are also Varroa Management Training Workshops occurring across Victoria this month, which cover monitoring and threshold surveillance actions, integrated pest management techniques, record-keeping, and chemical treatments, including organic options.

'With Varroa mite established in New South Wales and measures in place to slow the spread nationally, the detection this week was not unexpected despite the requirements in place to enter the state,' Dr Dibley said.

'I encourage all beekeepers to be prepared to manage Varroa in their hives by attending one of the free workshops, engaging with Varroa Development Officers and accessing all the resources available.'

Beekeepers with concerns can contact Victorian Varroa Development Officers by email at Victorian.VDO@agriculture.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 958 485.

Beekeepers in Victoria are urged to check their hives and to report suspected cases of varroa mite to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

All Victorian beekeepers are encouraged to record all hive movements and inspections, and the results of mite testing in BeeMAX.

For more information and updates on this detection, and any further Victorian varroa mite detections, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/varroa.

A poultry housing requirement that has been in effect to control the spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza near Terang and Meredith will be lifted for some birds from today, Thursday 15 August 2024.

As no further cases of high pathogenicity avian influenza have been detected in Victoria since 24 June, changes to the control orders have been gazetted, taking Victoria one step closer to being free from the high pathogenicity avian influenza virus.

The H7N3 strain of the virus was detected at seven properties close to Meredith, the last of which occurred on 24 June, while the H7N9 strain was detected at one property near Terang on 24 May.

From Thursday, 15 August 2024:

• the housing requirement for poultry in the control areas surrounding Meredith and Terang have been lifted
• the restricted area around the Terang infected property has been reduced from a 5km to a 1.5 km radius
• the control area at Terang has also been reduced from a 15km to a 5km radius.

The control and restricted areas in the Meredith area will remain the same.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Sally Salmon said staff continue to undertake disease monitoring activities, including property visits, phone calls and dead bird collections, and testing samples collected from properties in the restricted and control areas.

‘Everyone’s cooperation has been critical in allowing this easing of restrictions,’ she said.

‘Every text replied to, phone call answered, dead bird report, and live bird testing has, and will, help us get to the next step of lifting restrictions further.

‘Affected properties are continuing to be supported during ongoing decontamination, and egg and litter disposal activities to ensure their properties are free from the disease.’

Poultry and bird owners are reminded that movement controls are still in place for both the Meredith and Terang areas and permits are required for the movement of birds, poultry products and feed.

The housing requirement remains in place for poultry located in the restricted areas around Meredith and Terang, meaning all birds need to remain in their enclosures, to avoid any contact with wild birds.

‘Movement controls that have been in place since May have been effective in reducing the number of infections and have helped to stop the disease spreading beyond the restricted areas,’ Dr Salmon said.

‘We would like to thank the poultry industry, and the businesses and affected properties for their ongoing assistance during this response. Without their cooperation and reporting it would not have been possible to control the spread of this disease outbreak.'

Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to continue to be vigilant and report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

While cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are possible, the current risk to the public remains low.

If you have had contact with birds on an affected property and you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, call your doctor or the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 for medical advice.

A list of resources and contact details for industry and individual support, including technical, financial and mental health information, support and services, is available in our resource directory.

More information, including movement permits, maps, compensation details and mental health resources, are available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.

As we continue to respond to the avian flu outbreak, we’re urging bird owners to remain vigilant.

Look out for symptoms and report any unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu

Agriculture Victoria will be contacting property owners located near the avian influenza affected farms in the Meredith and Terang areas to check in. Residents in the area may be contacted via phone or text.

We will be asking if you have chickens or other livestock on the property, and about the health of the animals.

Gathering this data helps us to plan our avian influenza response and lift the quarantine measures that are in place as soon as possible.

Be aware of scams. Agriculture Victoria will not ask for financial information or credit card details.

Door knocking - August 17 - 18

Agriculture Victoria are also door knocking a small number of houses close to the impacted properties to provide them with information and check to see if they have animals.

The door knocking activity is part of the wider disease monitoring program to help the communities and industry get back to normal.

Door knocking will take place over the weekend of August 17-18 in the Terang and Meredith areas conducted by Agriculture Victoria staff.

If you have any questions or want to report sick or dead birds, please contact the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu

Agriculture Victoria will be reaching out to local communities at our pop-up information stalls over the next couple of weeks.

The team will be at:

Bannockburn Central Shopping Centre from 10 am to midday

• Saturday 17 August

Terang Co-Op Supa IGA from 11 am to 1 pm

• Friday 16 August

Find out more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza

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.

Did you see our SmartFarms featured on social media for National Science Week?

Now available: Licence training for non-slewing telehandlers with rated capacity more than 3 tonne.

Learn more and sign up at worksafe.vic.gov.au/telehandler

All rural and regional based women working across the agriculture supply chain are encouraged to apply for the Rural Women's Network Leadership program.

This program is being delivered by LeadershipVic over two residential retreats and aims to develop and empower women as leaders and change makers in their careers and in their communities.

All study and accommodation costs to participate in the program are covered, with additional capped allowances for childcare and travel provided to those who require this support.

Applications close 2 September 2024.

Click here for more information.

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.

Agriculture Victoria ran a series of lunchtime webinars recently to help farmers manage the dry conditions.

• Land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas, with Agriculture Victoria’s Clem Sturmfels: watch here
• The importance of nutrition, with Animal Health and Nutrition Consulting’s Dr. Jillian Kelly: watch here
• Managing lambing and lactating ewes, with Dynamic Ag Livestock Consultant Dr Steve Cotton: watch here

Beekeepers are being reminded to report and treat notifiable diseases after a large scale commercial western Victoria apiarist was found guilty of failure to manage American foulbrood (AFB) in hives.

Agriculture Victoria prosecuted apiarist Sharon Oakley in Horsham Magistrates Court on Monday 4 August on 6 charges under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.

The apiarist operation was heavily focused on pollination contracts and hives were regularly moved between South Australia and Victoria.

The charges included a failure to notify Agriculture Victoria of the presence or suspicion of disease, failure to take action to control diseased hives, and exposing hives infected with disease, allowing bees access to the hives which had not been disinfected.

Agriculture Victoria officers served isolation and destruction orders and provided education on good biosecurity practices dating back to March 2022.

On one visit in 2023, inspection of hives revealed that 56% of the 345 hives present were found to be infected with AFB.

After failing to follow Agriculture Victoria’s direction to destroy infected hives and hiveware, Agriculture Victoria disposed of the materials to manage the biosecurity risk to the industry.

The court found in favour of Agriculture Victoria, ordering the defendant to be of good behaviour for 12 months and pay a $500 fine.

Apiary Biosecurity Manager Nikki Jones said the case should serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible beekeeping.

'American Foulbrood is an endemic, highly contagious, notifiable disease within Victoria that results in the death of the hive,' Ms Jones said.

'There is no treatment for AFB. As the disease weakens the hive, it becomes susceptible to robbing by other colonies resulting in the rapid spread of the disease within apiaries and to surrounding apiaries. Therefore, the early detection and management of the disease is vital to reduce the risk of spread.'

When purchasing used equipment beekeepers need to be aware of the risk of AFB infected equipment. To ensure the equipment is safe to be used in an apiary it must be irradiated.

More information on American foulbrood is on the Agriculture Victoria website.

In this webinar recording, Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey discussed the recent seasonal conditions including rainfall, temperature and deep soil moisture levels across the state.

We looked at what the latest global models are forecasting for spring and shared information on the dry seasons support available to farmers.

Climate Specialist Graeme Anderson, and Dale, took a deeper look into the current seasonal risks and helped bust some common myths around making sense of forecasts.

VIEW THE RECORDING HERE

Duration: 67 minutes (including questions)

Password: Climate

This webinar was originally presented on Wednesday 14 August at 12 pm.

All climate webinar recordings can be found on our website.

For more information

For more information about these webinars, including assistance joining the webinar, email climate.webinars@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Victoria’s biosecurity system will be strengthened with a $6.1 million investment by the Victorian Government for projects that help prevent, monitor, and control diseases in cattle, sheep, goat, swine and honeybee industries.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced that 16 organisations will receive grants to deliver 38 projects that provide ground breaking solutions and use emerging technologies to improve livestock biosecurity in Victoria.

The Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program reinvests funds raised through duties on the sale of livestock and beekeeper registration fees back into the sector to help meet emerging biosecurity challenges head on.

Warragul based Veterinary Support Services will receive $1.4 million to deliver a 2 year Victorian Livestock Veterinary Scholarship program.

This includes clinical supervision and training that provides early-career veterinarians with skills, experience, networks and support to launch and sustain a livestock veterinary career in regional Victoria.

Western Plains Pork has been awarded $155,000 to run a pilot program to map contact between feral and domestic pigs to understand disease transmission risks.

This program will enhance participation and engagement from land managers – improving the industry’s preparedness and reduce the impact of diseases on the Victorian pig industry.

The Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program was established collaboratively between Agriculture Victoria and the 4 Livestock Compensation Advisory Committees, representing a shared responsibility between government and industry to boost Victoria’s biosecurity and provide real benefits to industry.

Minister Spence has also appointed Chairs and members with a broad range of industry skills and experience to the four Livestock Compensation Advisory Committees to provide advice on the administration of these funds.

For a full list of the 2024 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program recipients as well as Livestock Compensation Advisory Committee members please visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestockbiosecurityfunds.

To clean or not to clean? Managing dam sediment

Victorian farmers may be considering cleaning out sediment from their dams after a dry autumn season.

However, Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer Clem Sturmfels, is encouraging farmers to think carefully before proceeding.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

GRDC invests $3 million in soybean breeding

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will invest $3 million in a new five-year soybean breeding program that will be led by the University of Adelaide and aims to deliver new elite soybean varieties to Australian growers.

Read the media release here.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to find out what's on.

Webinar 3 – Cash flow and finance management with Paul Blackshaw

Join Paul Blackshaw, farm business consultant with Meridian Agriculture. Paul has vast experience working with farmers through tight seasons and has many valuable lessons to share.

DATE: 21 August

TIME: 12:30 - 1: 30 pm

REGISTER HERE

Note - you must register for each individual webinar.

Autumn and winter have been really tough and the outlook for spring is uncertain. How can we prepare our business to respond to whatever eventuates in spring and summer?

DATES AND LOCATIONS

• Lismore - 27 August and 17 September
• Lake Bolac -  28 August and 20 September
• Hamilton - 29 August and 18 September
• Harrow - 30 August and 19 September.

These workshops are free and will be limited to 20 participants per workshop.

Workshop series will explore:

• what pasture growth can be expected, and what this means for carryover feed going into summer
• feed and water budgeting
• making the hard decisions to sell or retain stock
• managing perennial grasses to maximise tiller
• set and keep these tillers alive over summer and sub clover seed set
• opportunities for summer feed options
• ensuring breeders are in the right condition so we don't compromise performance next year
• operating a containment facility that suits your circumstances.

REGISTER HERE.

For more information go to Southern Farming Systems website

This free event will be brought to you by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development, which aims to provide communities with clear information on the matters that mean the most.

With just 100 seats available, book your ticket now!

Funded by the Agriculture Victoria 'Regional Drought Resilience Planning Implementation Grant Program'.

Schedule

• 8 am - Free breakfast in the Longerenong College Dining Hall (egg and bacon rolls, tea and coffee etc).
• 8:45 am - Event starts at the Longerenong College Auditorium.

This event is being filmed as an information resource that will be published to WSMD's YouTube and promoted in WSMD marketing.

All efforts will be taken to film the presenters only, and not the attendees.

Click here for more information and reserve your spot.

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