| Thursday 21 November 2024 |
|
|
|
|
| Get your fire plans finalised |
|
|
|
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
Victorian producers are more aware than most of the importance of being prepared and having a plan in place for livestock during a fire.
With the fire season almost upon us, now is the time for livestock owners to get prepared and have a clear strategy to apply in the possibility of a fire emergency on their farm.
A key factor in minimising the threat to livestock during a bush fire or on extreme fire danger days, is to identify safer areas on-farm where livestock can be moved to.
The area you choose will depend on the type of livestock and their expected behaviour during a fire.
To reduce potential injury and death to livestock you should consider relocating stock to designated low risk areas during days of high fire danger and Total Fire Bans.
Low risk areas include:
-
bare areas such as ploughed paddocks, and areas cultivated and kept free of combustible vegetation
-
bared-out paddocks, provided they are well defended by fire breaks
-
irrigated paddocks or paddocks containing green summer crops
-
stockyards that can be wet in advance. However, the yards must be well defended as the fire front passes.
-
dams and swamps are another possible option.
All low-risk areas should have sufficient drinking water to enable stock to remain in the area for extended periods of high fire risk and high temperatures. For more information regarding stock containment areas for emergencies click here.
Stockyards have been known to successfully hold stock during a fire if protected by a firebreak. If this is your preferred option, consider using a sprinkler system since stock being held together on a hot day can suffer heat stress.
Horses should not be locked up in small areas or stables but moved to an open paddock with minimal vegetation, so they can move freely. Horses and cattle are adept at avoiding a fire moving themselves to safe open areas and usually suffer minimal burns if left to do so.
If equipment such as rugs, halters and flyveils remain on horses, the plastic may melt, and metal buckles can burn the animal. Therefore, consider using rope halters for easier handling and management.
It’s crucial not to open gates that may allow stock access to public roadways, as any animals will be a hazard to traffic in smoky conditions.
On days of extreme fire danger or on the day before, stock should be moved into lower risk areas on-farm, or to a safer property.
Agriculture Victoria advises livestock owners to act early and do not get caught trying to move stock as a fire approaches. Listen to weather forecasts and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action.
For further assistance on preparing a farm and livestock bushfire plan click here or contact the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
|
|
|
| The Gippsland Farm Forestry Program grants are closing soon! |
|
|
Grants are available for landowners to grow trees for timber as well as other benefits including:
-
providing shelter for stock, crops and pastures
-
improved farm amenity and biodiversity
-
carbon storage.
The program supports the planting of:
-
wood lots
-
shelterbelts
-
wide space plantings.
Grants are open until 7 March 2025.
More information.
|
|
|
| Celebrating our Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship recipients |
|
|
|
L to R: Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence, Anurag Bhangu and Deputy Secretary Agriculture and Agriculture Victoria Chief Executive Beth Jones.
Meet Anurag Bhangu, one of this year’s Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship recipients!
Anurag, a passionate beekeeper from Gippsland, is on a mission to improve the genetics of his queen bees.
With his scholarship, Anurag will upskill in artificial insemination (AI) of queen bees and complete a bee breeding workshop. He'll also invest in a queen bee AI kit to help select queens suited to cooler climates and that are resistant to Varroa mites.
For the full list of recipients and more info on the program, visit our website.
|
|
|
| Investigating animal diseases in agriculture |
|
|
|
Investigating animal diseases in agriculture is just part of the focus for veterinarian Sara Forte at Agriculture Victoria’s Ellinbank SmartFarm.
Protecting Victoria’s agriculture industry and economy with a focus on disease investigation Sara’s skills help explain why and how disease outbreaks occur.
Sara is one of many staff at Agriculture Victoria making a difference for the future of farming in Victoria.
If you’re considering a career in agriculture or science, take a closer look at the opportunities available at the SmartFarms based at Ellinbank, Hamilton, Horsham, Mildura and Tatura. Find out more here.
|
|
|
| Have you included a farm map in your fire preparedness plan? |
|
|
|
A farm map helps in an emergency by clearly showing critical assets, water sources, stock refuge areas, and assembly/evacuation and exit points.
Check out the tips on developing your farm map in our Farm Fire Preparedness Toolkit. Download a copy of the toolkit here.
|
|
|
| Farm Business Resilience Program case study |
|
|
|
Watch the video here.
Dimboola mixed farmers Simon Nuske and Kate Cook undertook farm planning as part of the Farm Business Resilience Program to ensure a sustainable business for their family and the future.
‘We want it to be sustainable. We want it to be here for the future and to make the most out of what we’ve got.’
Find out more about our Farm Business Resilience Program here.
|
|
|
|
The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, Victorian Gorse Taskforce, and Victorian Blackberry Taskforce are exploring opportunities and challenges for recording and sharing data on invasive plant species across different land tenures.
Their aim is to reduce the threat invasive species pose to our environment, agriculture, and communities.
They would appreciate hearing about your experiences with recording and mapping weeds and other invasive species.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete, and your response will be instrumental in helping enhance data collection and sharing processes.
CLICK HERE to access the survey.
The survey closes on 29 November at 5 pm.
|
|
|
| Join the Design Reference Group and help shape the future of Agriculture Victoria Connect! |
|
|
|
We are excited to announce Agriculture Victoria's new online system designed to streamline your regulatory compliance such as chemical use authorities or food standards.
As we build Agriculture Victoria Connect, we want your input! Whether you use this system for regulatory services or simply have an interest in the process, your feedback is invaluable.
We invite you to be a part of the Design Reference Group, where you can play a vital role in representing the community that uses Agriculture Victoria Connect.
Meeting every 6 weeks, members will share feedback and ideas to guide the development of services, ensuring the system is effective and user-friendly for both agriculture businesses and community members.
Your voice matters – help us shape a better system!
For more information and to join, contact avcproductteam@agriculture.vic.gov.au
|
|
|
| Grants up to $1 million to support businesses development and create jobs |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
| Closing next week! Funding available for irrigation demonstration trials |
|
|
|
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:
-
reduce nutrient runoff from irrigated land
-
manage salinity on irrigated land
-
promote regional economic growth
-
enhance cultural or social values in irrigation communities
-
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
| Free financial counselling with RFCS |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Avian influenza control area at Meredith reduced
Agriculture Victoria has reduced the size of the control area around Meredith that was put in place for the current H7 avian influenza outbreak.
Read the full media release here.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
| Webinar: New Food Safety Standards for growers of berries, leafy green vegetables and melons |
|
|
|
New Food Safety Standards for growers of berries, leafy green vegetables and melons will come into effect from February 12 2025.
The standards apply to businesses of any size that grow or complete primary or ‘early-stage’ processing such as washing, trimming, sorting, sanitising or storing of berries, leafy vegetables or melons.
Join our webinar on Tuesday 10 December at 12 pm to hear more about how your business will meet the new standards.
Register here.
Find out more about the New Food Safety Standards on our website.
|
|
|
| Pasture comparisons, complementary cropping and getting the best from your Kikuyu |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
When: Wednesday 18 December, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Riverslea, address will be released closer to the date.
Register here.
Join GippsDairy on farm for a short farm tour and discussion of the findings of recent research into the effects of heat on the dairy herd.
Heat stress can be effectively managed with a proactive whole-of-year approach including changes to animal nutrition, on-farm infrastructure, and breeding programs.
The group will discuss strategies to help you minimise the impact of heat stress on your cows, optimise milk yield, and ensure the overall well-being of your herd.
|
|
|
|
|
Enjoying the Gippsland Ag News? Then why not forward to a friend or subscribe yourself.
It's easy – simply click this link.
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
