In this edition

• Get emergency information in your hands
• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• Feeding livestock 'How to' videos
• Repeat offender pleads guilty to aggravated cruelty to livestock
• Mobile command centres to fight biosecurity emergencies
• AgVic Talk podcast – Episode 7
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• Hook, line And sinker: supersized fish stocking this winter
• 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 

Stay up to date on the avian influenza situation HERE

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 click here or call 1300 771 741.

Many producers are facing a challenging winter ahead.

Our short ‘How to’ video series is a great resource for key considerations when feeding livestock.

The series covers how to:

• calculate what to feed
• costing out your feeds
• how much to feed
• estimating animal performance.

The calculations in the videos are easy to follow and can be adapted to a range of feeding scenarios for cattle and sheep.

Watch it here

Recently at the Kerang Magistrates’ Court, northern Victorian farmer Bruce Cook pleaded guilty to three charges of aggravated cruelty, one charge of breaching an adjourned undertaking imposed in 2021 and was found guilty of transporting livestock not able to walk on its own. 

His Honour Magistrate Lennon imposed a Community Corrections Order with conviction for 12 months with a condition he perform 100 hours of community service as well as an aggregate fine of $2000.

Mr Cook was also re-sentenced for the 2021 offences which involved aggravated cruelty and failing to provide proper and sufficient drink for which he originally received an adjourned undertaking with a condition to pay $5000.

In re-sentencing, the Court took into account the fact Mr Cook had paid the $5000 and he was re-sentenced to a fine of $500 with conviction. Costs were also awarded in the sum of $5288.33. 

A control order was imposed for two years with conditions to provide proper and sufficient food, drink and water, to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment and monitoring.

Agriculture Victoria Animal Health and Welfare Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said authorised inspectors attended a property in Lake Charm in March 2022 after receiving a complaint.

‘A large, circular, concrete water trough partially buried in the ground contained seven deceased sheep plus one which was alive. All had exceptionally low body condition,’ Mr Bode said. 

‘The trough was designed for larger animals as sheep troughs have shallower sides to enable them to escape if they enter.

‘The water had faeces and debris floating in it and the carcasses had started to break down. The trough was the only water source for the sheep.

‘The sheep which was alive was unable to support its own weight and was euthanised by inspectors. A lamb with an injury to its limb, unable to walk was also euthanised.’

Mr Bode said apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can affect all producers.

‘This is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or the community.’

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Two new state-of-the-art mobile incident command centres have been deployed to Meredith to boost efforts to fight the current avian influenza outbreak in Victoria.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today launched the two purpose-built mobile incident command centres and attended the first meeting of the Biosecurity Reference Group at Agriculture Victoria’s Attwood Centre.

The trucks were previously used by State Emergency Services (SES) and have been refurbished and equipped with enhanced IT including satellite access and audio-visual equipment – allowing Agriculture Victoria’s biosecurity team to be on ground where outbreaks are occurring and still have access to key facilities and equipment.

Agriculture Victoria’s field operations teams have benefitted from the connected workspace already, with seamless communication and coordination between the officers at the outbreak and the Local Control Centre Incident Management Team set up in Ballarat.

The first truck was completed in May and has been stationed in Meredith since the avian influenza incident began, the second truck is now complete and will make its way to Meredith today.

The refurbishment was carried out by R.A Bell in Sunshine, a Victorian design and manufacturing company of emergency response vehicles.

Each truck is named after former Animal Health officers – Aileen Eccles, the first female Animal Health Officer appointed in Victoria in 1980 and Alan Ross who was the longest serving Animal Health Officer for 55 years with Agriculture Victoria.

Victoria’s Biosecurity Reference Group met today to discuss the biosecurity risks and challenges facing Victoria, including the current avian influenza outbreak.

The group of 15 experts represent all areas of the biosecurity system, including Traditional Owners, agricultural sector, supply chains, community and environment.

Since 2022, the Victorian Government has invested $43 million to deliver dedicated emergency animal disease (EAD) preparedness – backed by $12.9 million from the Victorian Budget 2024/25 for EAD preparedness, coordination, waste disposal, technical and specialist capability, surge workforce readiness, and traceability systems.

Taryan Mathews from Precision Alpaca Group brings large amounts of fodder onto her property to feed 600 alpacas.

This means biosecurity is front of mind to manage the risks of pests or disease entering her property.

Taryan provides some practical steps that farmers can take to manage biosecurity risks and keep livestock healthy.

Listen via the AgVic website

Victoria’s bounty collections resumed on 4 March 2024.

Please continue to check our website for the latest information, collection centres and dates. CLICK HERE

For any assistance, please speak to our bounty collection staff on collection days or call our Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

The Victorian Government is making sure Victoria’s little anglers can get hooked on a new hobby these winter school holidays – with more than 35,000 catchable-size rainbow trout being stocked into 80 lakes across the state.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos recently stocked more than 400 rainbow trout in Karkarook Park Lake in Moorabbin, which is has helped us reach a record-breaking stocking of 11.5 million this year – smashing our previous record of 10 million.

More fish are stocked in Victoria than every other state and territory combined – with Murray cod, golden perch, brown and rainbow trout, threatened Macquarie perch, dusky flathead, Australian bass and more bolstering world-class fishing experiences that are easy and accessible for every Victorian to enjoy.

The government’s $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Plan has backed the Victorian Fisheries Authority to stock more than 29.5 million fish since 2021 – attracting more families and friends to every corner of Victoria to enjoy this great activity.

From Ouyen to Warrnambool, Gippsland to Shepparton, lakes across Victoria feature pontoons or jetties, accessible paths and parking for fishers of all abilities as well as other nearby facilities like barbecues and toilets to make it easier for families across Victoria to wet a line and enjoy the great outdoors this school holidays.

There’s never been a better time for Victorian kids to start their fishing journey thanks to the government’s Little Angler Kits program which has delivered 95,000 kits to every grade 5 student in Victorian schools so more young anglers can try their luck at their local lake.

The kits also include a kids’ guide to fishing with safety messages and educational videos that teach budding fishers tips for catching fish as well as responsible fishing practices – inspiring kids to discover this active, healthy pastime and giving families the information and equipment they need to get started.

To view the full list of family fishing lakes and see what’s been stocked, head to www.vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout.

Avian influenza detected at eighth farm in Victoria

Avian influenza virus has been confirmed at an eighth Victorian farm, which was already in quarantine.

Read the full media release here

Crowning Victoria’s premier wine For 2024

Some of Victoria’s most established winemakers have been in the spotlight at this year’s Victorian Wine Show, showcasing the best wine on offer from across the state.

Read the full media release here

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

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

Register now – you are invited to join other horticulture growers and apiarists for a free short business course in July in Wangaratta. 

This free Farm Business Resilience course is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to improve your business and be better equipped to manage the impacts of drought and changing climate.

These sessions will not focus on individual business information e.g. finances, but build and strengthen your business productivity.

Course facilitator: Gavin Beever, Cumbre Consulting with specialists presenting on:

Planning for success, 9 July

• Set plans and direction for your business
• Establish a vision and set goals
• Understand how to better identify and manage risk.

Business success, 10 July

• Profitable decision making
• Key business and finance tools.

Successful people, 11 July  

• Effective people management
• Safety
• Succession planning.

Climate and biosecurity risk, 16 and 17 July

• Climate risk and its impact on your business
• Natural disaster preparedness
• Apiary biosecurity.

Plan review, late July – August

• Refine your vison and goals with group feedback
• Further training opportunities and resources.

To register click here or for more information contact Andy Clark on 0436 804 656.  

Join us for a complimentary dinner in Tarrawingee, hosted by the Rural City of Wangaratta and the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange, supported by the Victorian Government.

When: Thursday 18 July, 5:30 - 8 pm.

Where: The Plough Inn Tarrawingee, 2322 Wangaratta Beechworth Road, Tarrawingee.

Recent climate events have significantly impacted our agricultural community, requiring ongoing support and intervention.

Agriculture Victoria has been instrumental in providing essential resources and recovery services, and their support for this event will help us continue supporting our farming community together.

Free dinner and talk.

Don’t miss our guest speaker, Warren Davies, the Unbreakable Farmer!

Registrations are essential.

All enquiries email: r.golia@wangaratta.vic.gov.au.

Grain and mixed farmers are invited to a short two-day course in Bridgewater for your farm business future.

When:18 and 19 July, 8.30 am – 3 pm on day one, 9 am – 3 pm on day two.

Where: Bridgewater Recreation Reserve, Calder Hwy, Bridgewater

Presenter: Dr Kate Burke

Kate is an independent farm consultant who has a PhD and extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture. Her expertise is sought by large corporate enterprises but she most enjoys working with farmers that have a commitment to improvement. Using an evidence-based approach, Kate will guide you towards 'excellent farming'.

Topics include:

• Key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
• Income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
• Calculating basic financial benchmarks
• Understanding your personal appetite for risk
• Understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
• Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
• Scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond.

This event is free.

Participants who complete the two-day course and business plans will be eligible for a free, 45–90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.

Register here

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

Grain and mixed farmers are invited to a short two-day course in Colbinabin for your farm business future.

Where: Colbinabbin Country Hotel, 18 Mitchell St, Colbinabbin

When: 15 July and 16 July, 8.30 am – 3 pm on day one, 9 am – 3 pm on day two.

Presenter: Dr Kate Burke

Kate is an independent farm consultant who has a PhD and extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture. Her expertise is sought by large corporate enterprises but she most enjoys working with farmers that have a commitment to improvement. Using an evidence-based approach, Kate will guide you towards 'excellent farming'.

Topics include:

• Key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
• Income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
• Calculating basic financial benchmarks
• Understanding your personal appetite for risk
• Understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
• Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
• Scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond.

This event is free.

Participants who complete the two-day course and business plans will be eligible for a free, 45–90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.

Register here

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

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 two 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 

The Southern Australia Livestock Research Council (SALRC) is excited to announce their third biennial Livestock Conference with the overarching theme of Environmental challenges and opportunities for Australian livestock industries.

Sessions will include keynote speakers and group workshop activities and cover the following:

• improving land, air and water
• solutions for human capacity
• economic considerations and market impacts.

Click here for more information about the upcoming conference.

If you would like to register for conference updates you can join the mailing list here.

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