In this edition:

• Get emergency information in your hands
• Choosing the best feed this winter
• Dry seasons and drought support
• Research investment digs into the future of soil health
• The risk of exposure to historical chemical residues
• Latest AgVic Talk episode: Introducing new livestock
• Healthy Landscapes program
• Free financial counselling
• Exploring our critical geoscience at Ballarat minerals event
• Registration period extended for Cultivating Futures in Farming mentor program
• Victorian Gorse Taskforce community grants now open
• In case you missed it
• What's On

Download the VicEmergency app and set up a watch zone to receive up to date information about the avian influenza situation straight to your phone.

VicEmergency is Victoria’s combined source of information and warnings, with everything from fires and floods to shark sightings and earthquakes. It’s handy no matter where you are in the state.

There are currently two Community Information messages about avian influenza – stay informed by downloading the app or visiting www.emergency.vic.gov.au 

When choosing the best feed to purchase for sheep or cattle, there are a few things to take into account – especially when feeding over winter.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Nick Linden said costing feeds on the basis of energy is still the number one consideration, as energy content of the supplement will determine how much you need.

Feeding to requirements can have immediate and long-term implications. Maternal and offspring survival can be compromised if nutrition is insufficient during late pregnancy and lactation. There are also long-term implications for their future growth, maturity and fertility.

Other considerations that might help determine which supplements and the quantity you provide include:

Minimum protein

Lactating and young growing stock (especially those early weaned) will have the highest protein demands of any livestock on the farm. Lactating or young growing sheep require over 12% protein (and as high as 18%), whereas lactating or growing cattle require over 10%. Therefore, feeds like maize, oats and hays may not be sufficient for some stock if fed on their own.

Wastage

If feeding on the ground, wastage can become an even bigger factor once the ground gets wet. Larger grains, such as maize and beans, may be better than small grains like barley. Pellets break down and become less palatable quickly when wet. Therefore, when costing feeds, you may need to build in a wastage factor.

Cold conditions and muddy ground may also increase requirements by at least 20%.

Roughage (fibre)

As paddock feed declines over winter, it’s important to consider fibre intake, especially for growing livestock or those making milk. However, this must be balanced, as if fibre is too high, they may not be able to eat enough to meet their energy needs.

Processed grain

Some grains require processing when feeding to cattle to achieve the full energy value (like wheat, triticale and barley). If fed unprocessed, you may need to assume a lower energy value. Processing grains for sheep is not required and will just increase the chance of acidosis.

Infrastructure

The ability to store and handle feedstuffs needs to be considered. Adding a source of calcium (e.g. limestone) when feeding cereal grains will help meet the higher demand of lactating and growing stock.

Weeds and contamination

As the demand for hay and feeds is high, you may be sourcing from suppliers other than your usual provider. Be aware of introducing new weeds and think about inspecting the product before purchase.

Where to find resources for value and costing of feeds

• Common values of feeds and animal requirements for energy and protein (sheep): www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/sheep-resources/useful-tables-sheep/
• Common values of feeds and animal requirements for energy and protein (cattle): www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/beef-resources/useful-tables-beef
• Chapter 5 (pages 5–7) in the Drought Feeding Book (Word version available on the Feeding Livestock website).
• Drought feeding app: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/drought-feed-calculator/id921986324
• Video: Costing out your feeds (youtube.com)

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.

Two Victorian research projects are soon to be underway to protect the health of one of Australia’s most important living assets – soil.

The Victorian Government supported by additional funding from the Australian Government will deliver the $6.47 million projects as part of the National Soil Action Plan 2023 to 2028.

Delivered over the next two years, both projects will expand on existing research and aim to build soil health and productivity across Australia’s diverse landscapes.

Scientists from Agriculture Victoria and the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research will work together on the first project, focused on soil biology Across the Landscape.

Their research will focus on understanding microbial communities in agricultural land and in landscapes with native vegetation, including areas where rehabilitation programs such as revegetation are planned.

The second project will increase drought resilience in Victoria by targeting agriculture management practice changes that improve soil structure and function.

This will support greater water storage for plants, reduce nutrient loss to the environment, and increase the potential to build soil carbon.

Project delivery will commence in the second half of this year, with both projects to be completed by June 2028.

The National Soil Action Plan 2023-2028 is the first action plan under the National Soil Strategy.

For more information about the National Soil Action Plan, visit agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land.

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

At this time of year with this current season, paddocks may be looking pretty bare. There may be temptation to open up the area around the sheds to your cattle, which hasn’t been grazed for years.

Perhaps you are thinking of letting them in to the old house paddock, an old dip site or garbage dump.

By doing this, you may unknowingly expose your cattle to chemical resides. Stock can readily pick up residues if they have access to localised areas of high-level contamination.

Organochlorine (OC) pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin, and heptachlor are the main concerns, as these chemicals can stay in the soil for decades.

Meat processors carry out extensive residue monitoring on slaughtered stock. Any carcase with a residue above the Australian maximum residue limit (MRL) is condemned for human consumption.

Plus, as the vendor you may be liable to legal action. So how can you avoid this happening?

Firstly, a monitoring history of known contaminated sites is available from Agriculture Victoria.

It’s what you don’t know that may cause you a problem. How can you identify any likely risk areas on your property?

Commonly identified OC risk areas include:

• buildings, yards, fences, stumps, and power poles treated with OC chemicals for termite control
• sheep dip sites used before 1963
• old containers or chemicals in farm rubbish dumps
• chemical storage, mixing and disposal sites
• lawn clippings from OC contaminated areas
• land used for growing potatoes and tobacco before 1986
• land used for orchards before 1988 and vegetable production before 1986.

As part of your risk assessment gather all available information on past OC use, including information from previous owners.

Soil sampling may be required to determine if contamination is present and the level of any such contamination.

However, in general it may be simpler to avoid potential risks by fencing risk areas to exclude cattle.

For further information contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

When introducing new livestock to your property, take simple steps to avoid biosecurity risks.

Geoff Kroker spent his career working in livestock research and development and he joins Rachel Laukart from RSPCA Victoria and Brett Davidson from Agriculture Victoria to discuss some simple ways to avoid exposing your livestock to new diseases.

Listen via the AgVic website: https://go.vic.gov.au/4ep4L0x

Commencing on 2 August 2024, Healthy Landscapes will again be running its successful Holistic Grazing Management course.

The course is designed with six meeting days over nine months to assist land managers in improving their skills and knowledge about grazing livestock, to increase soil health and perennial pasture species, including native species.

The Healthy Landscapes program is delivered as a partnership between Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, the City of Greater Bendigo, A Healthy Coliban Catchment project (North Central Catchment Management Authority and Coliban Water), Melbourne Water and the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network. Places are available to rate payers from City of Greater Bendigo, Hepburn, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander.

For more information and to register, visit Healthy Landscapes.

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.

Resources Victoria is proud to be the Geoscience Partner at this year’s Australian Institute of Geoscientists’ (AIG) Victorian Minerals Round-up.

The annual conference, hosted by AIG’s Victorian chapter, will be held on 27-28 June 2024 at the Goods Shed in Ballarat.

Bringing together representatives from across the minerals sector, the event provides an exciting opportunity to promote Resources Victoria’s geoscience resources and the ongoing work of the Geological Survey of Victoria.

A key topic at the conference will be critical minerals with Victoria having proven deposits that contain resources of titanium, zirconium and rare earth elements. There are also other opportunities across the state for other minerals and precious metals including gold, antimony, copper, high-purity alumina and silica.

The AIG is the leading professional institute representing geoscientists. The event partnership will connect Resources Victoria to key players in the minerals sector and exploration teams across the state.

More information about the work of Resources Victoria can be found at resources.vic.gov.au.

Cultivation Futures in Farming is a free program designed for our next generation farm managers and facilitated by Pinion Advisory.

Participants learn from mentors, experts and peers to gain confidence in decision making and how to develop the financial, business and people management skills for running a farm business.

The program consists of face-to-face workshops (including farm visits), online webinars and individual coaching sessions.

If you missed our recent Zoom webinar on the ‘Cultivating Futures in Farming’ (CFF) mentor program you can catch up by visiting:

bit.ly/3WM1WAm
Passcode: Bupcq7

Registrations for the 2024-25 program close Wednesday 3 July.

Visit the Cultivating Futures in Farming page on the Agriculture Victoria website to learn more and apply.

The VGT annual Community Grants Program is now open for 2024/25.

The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) with support from Agriculture Victoria offers funding support for community-led gorse control projects.

Community grants program objectives:

• Reduce the impacts of gorse on environmental, agricultural, and social values
• Strengthen community and stakeholder connections for better gorse outcomes
• Build community knowledge and capacity in managing gorse
• Promote best practice gorse management.

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.

Eligibility
Grants are available to all Victorian community group organisations that have a focus on improving natural and agricultural areas.

How to apply
Visit vicgorsetaskforce.com.au/community-projects/community-grants/ and download a copy of the 2024/25 VGT Community Grants Funding Guidelines and Application Form.

Once you have completed your application, email info@vicgorsetaskforce.com.au.

Applications close on 12 July 2024.

For more information, contact the VGT on 0417 593 250 or send an email to info@vicgorsetaskforce.com.au

Adaptive farm courses for grain growing regions

Farmers in northern and western Victoria have the perfect opportunity to prepare their business for the future with several 2-day farm business courses coming up with agronomist Dr Kate Burke.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Investing in the future of Victorian AgTech

The Victorian Government is driving innovation in the agriculture sector by supporting more tech startups to create new technologies that will help farmers improve their efficiency and adapt to new challenges in the industry.

Applications are open and will remain open until 30 June 2024.

To read more about past recipients and to apply for new grants visit launchvic.org.

For more information on the AgTech Grant program visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgRIN.

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.

Join this webinar to learn more about leasing your land for renewable energy development, including:

• The land agreement process for renewable projects
• Your rights and protecting your interests
• How to maximise benefits for yourself, your farm and community
• Where to get help
• Farmer experiences

Wednesday 26 June, 12-1:30pm via Zoom.
Register via https://bit.ly/4bJJBbE

Contact hume.engagement@deeca.vic.gov.au

The GSSA conference at Bendigo on 17-18 July will offer something for everyone.

The central theme will focus on ‘Evidence Based Decision Making’ and the topics have been built around what farmers need to know.

Delegates will be able to choose from 2 bus tours.

One to a property north of Bendigo integrating lucerne into a profitable livestock system and one to a higher rainfall perennial pasture property south of Bendigo.

Topics will include:

• Carbon - An informed farmers perspective
• Carbon neutral livestock production - is it possible?
• Soil carbon and fertility
• Measuring and knowing your soil carbon levels
• Old clover identification and sub optimal clover nodulation
• Paddock livestock weighing
• What bugs you?
• Use of drones in agriculture
• Facial livestock recognition
• Remote pasture measurement
• Running lambs on improved varieties of perennial ryegrass vs more persistent Victorian ryegrass - animal responses above yield responses
• N efficiency and endophytes in ryegrass pastures
• Introduction to fertiliser calculator tool.

Click here for more information – 2024 GSSA Annual Conference

The upcoming Irrigation Insights Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, 24 July, and Thursday, 25 July, at the Rich River Golf Club in Moama.

The conference is a collaboration between dairy, grains and cotton with the aim of providing information for profitable and sustainable farm business. Our program features sessions covering the latest research, technological advancements, and sustainable practices.

Conference highlights:

• Exploring marketing and consumer trends - Ron Storey, Storey Marketing
• New technology in weed control - Michael Walsh, Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University
• Latest advances in nitrogen fertiliser - Helen Suter School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne.
• Over the gate - practices and innovation driving on farm productivity Panel - hear what other farmers are implementing to ensure productive sustainable businesses into the future.
• Grain, forage and fodder - mitigating risk of summer crop options (cotton, maize, sorghum) - Kieran O’Keefe Regional Extension Officer, CottonInfo and Yvette Williams, Research and Innovation Coordinator Murray Dairy
• Seeds of hope: The Aussie Hay Runners' Journey - Peter Wuthrich Aussie Hay Runners

The Gala Dinner on the evening of Wednesday 24 July, will commemorate our 25 years of the Irrigation Farmers Network achievements in RD&E. Featuring Renee Anderson, farmer and ag industry advocate as our special guest speaker.

For more information, please click here

Book tickets now

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