Agriculture

Top performing ryegrass varieties identified

Australia’s top performing ryegrass varieties of 2025 have been identified with the newly updated release of Dairy Australia’s Forage Value Index (FVI), just in time to help Australian dairy farmers make more informed decisions when choosing...

The Gazette

26 Mar 2025

Agriculture

Inaugural award presented at annual ASH branch show

West Gippsland Australian Stock Horse branch held its annual show on March 8 and 9 at Garfield North equestrian grounds. Three rings ran continuously during the weekend giving competitors plenty of opportunity to display the ability of their...

The Gazette

18 Mar 2025

Agriculture

How to attract and retain farm staff

Attracting suitable staff members – and keeping them – can be a difficult problem for many farm businesses. Over three free workshops in the latest Business of Farming series, the tables are turned slightly and it’s the employers who are invited...

The Gazette

18 Mar 2025

Agriculture

Preparing to dry off your cows

Drying cows off can be done in different ways, with the aims being to give the udder tissue time to repair and rejuvenate before calving, treat any underlying infections in the udder and reduce the risk of new udder infections during the dry period...

The Gazette

11 Mar 2025

Agriculture

Netting fence to protectfrom dam pollution

Constructing a netting fence above your dam can reduce the amount of organic material entering during and after a storm. Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels said while thunderstorms could produce needed runoff, they...

The Gazette

04 Mar 2025

Agriculture

Worm burdens - is the time right to strike?

Cast your mind back to recent years, the relatively wet summers of 2021-23 led to high worm burdens in your livestock. This summer we experienced a burst of early rain in December that may have reduced the effectiveness of an early summer...

The Gazette

25 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Bragging rights for proud per owners

Success of the inaugural pet show at last year’s Warragul Show will see the event return to Saturday’s program of events this year. The initiative aims to encourage young people to get involved in the show. For those who may not have farm animals to...

The Gazette

25 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Ask questions before upgrading equipment

Seasonal conditions have led to a shortage of stock water across most of Victoria which has renewed interest in constructing farm dams, and the addition of pumps, bores, tanks, troughs and piping. Farmers are advised to ask some important questions...

The Gazette

19 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Maintain cover to protect soils

Isolated dust storms recently are a reminder of how fragile some of our soils are. They are also a good reminder there is still time to prevent this damage by de-stocking more vulnerable areas of the farm. While dust storms contain mostly mineral...

The Gazette

19 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Get it right - is it fit to load?

It’s important to remember, if you are the person in charge of an animal it is your responsibility for its welfare. Community values and expectations will not accept anything less. It always pleases me when someone reaches out to ask, ‘is this...

The Gazette

19 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Meat and greet at annual conference

The Gippsland Red Meat Conference is back for 2025 with the theme of: Now. Next. Later. Agriculture Victoria agriculture services director Kate Linden said the theme encouraged farmers to ask themselves when it comes to making improvements on their...

The Gazette

11 Feb 2025

News

Dry days

by Keith Anderson Well, it is summer! But the West Gippsland area’s brown and yellow countryside tells a story of an unusual dry stretch across the region. January was the sixth successive month that rainfall was well down on the 115-year average...

The Gazette

10 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Feed test for quality

Farmers looking to buy in feed due to poor pasture growth are encouraged to do a feed test to ensure fodder meets their livestock’s needs. Agriculture Victoria livestock industry development officer Hannah Manning said comparing the quality and price...

The Gazette

05 Feb 2025

Agriculture

Online business program helps manage risks

Agriculture Victoria is inviting farm business owners and managers to take part in a free online business program. The innovative program supports farmers to build on their knowledge and skills to strengthen their farm business and be better...

The Gazette

29 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Agriculture workers at high risk of Q fever

Agriculture workers in Gippsland who have contact with cattle, sheep, or goats are being urged to get vaccinated against Q fever as the region continues to record high rates of infection. This includes dairy farmers, stock agents, livestock...

The Gazette

28 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Don’t forget the benefits of farm laneways

Farm laneways are a great way to improve farm efficiency and reduce labour requirements. Laneways can also provide a useful refuge area during natural disasters such as flood, fire and drought. A good laneway system makes moving stock easier, for...

The Gazette

28 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Monitor for blue-green algae in stock water

Livestock owners should look for signs of blue-green algae when inspecting farm dams, troughs and other water sources, particularly during the warmer months, when algal blooms are more likely to occur. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteri...

The Gazette

21 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Supplementary feeds what should you consider

When sourcing supplementary feed for your livestock, there are two key issues to consider before purchasing a seemingly cheaper feed: feed testing and commodity declarations. You need to know exactly what you are getting. This will ensure that the...

The Gazette

14 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Storing hay on farm

Low rainfall in winter and spring has made it difficult in many areas of the state to make good quality hay this season. However, once it has been made, it’s important to store it to minimise yield and quality losses and make it efficient to feed or...

The Gazette

07 Jan 2025