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

21 hours ago

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

Agriculture

Protect your farm from crime

Victoria Police are urging farmers to take simple but effective steps to protect their properties this summer. The Victoria Police Farm Crime Coordination Unit is dedicated to addressing crimes that affect rural communities, including livestock...

The Gazette

07 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Hotter days on the horizon

As we move through summer, heat stress in livestock can become a major issue for production levels and animal welfare. However, Agriculture Victoria senior veterinary officer Jeff Cave says there are precautions local farmers can take. Dr Cave said...

The Gazette

07 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Use dairy effluent now on silage regrowth

Dairy effluent can be applied to areas with some green leaf still present after cutting for silage. This will help to promote valuable pasture regrowth for an extra grazing and replace lost nutrients. Dairy effluent contains many important nutrients...

The Gazette

07 Jan 2025

Agriculture

Strike before the flies do

Flystrike costs the Australian sheep industry approximately $173 million annually, due to lost production, treatment costs and deaths. Reducing the risk of flystrike has immense benefits to the health and wellbeing of the sheep and productivity. The...

The Gazette

31 Dec 2024

Agriculture

Watch for heating hay

Every hay season several hay stacks spontaneously combust across Victoria, in single moist bales or in a stack of any size. Once the hay has been stacked it’s important to regularly monitor it for heating and act quickly. Unfortunately, even with...

The Gazette

24 Dec 2024