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21/07/2025

South West TAFE agricultural students will learn from the ground up with a new industry seed demonstration site at the Glenormiston campus.

As part of a partnership with AGF Seeds, 25 different varieties of grasses are being trialled on the old football oval.

South West TAFE Head of Industry, Land & Engineering, Ed Roache, said the new demonstration site would broaden the learning experience for students.

The students will play an active role in maintaining the site, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom as they monitor and support the growth of each seed variety.

“We want our students to experience the world of agriculture as far and wide as possible,” Mr Roache said. “We’ve got the ability for students to get hands-on with livestock, pastures and machinery, this adds to that practical training by incorporating the world of agronomy, plants, grass and soils.”

Mr Roache said that through the hands-on approach, students would get an understanding “that grass isn’t just grass”.

“Students will get to learn that you get different outcomes with different varieties and that different soil types affect growth. It’s bringing a practical element to their studies.”

Most of the students are off farms and can relate this experience back to their properties. “The beauty of this is that we’re partnering with industry,” Mr Roache said. “If we work with industry, we know we’re going to get the best practice and outcomes for students.”

South West TAFE has more than 70 agricultural students at Glenormiston, ranging from Certificate II through to a Diploma of Agriculture.

Mr Roache said it was also hoped the demonstration trials would inspire students to look at the many different future pathways in agriculture which could lead to further studies.

AGF Seeds sales agronomist Rhys Cottam-Starkey said the company wanted to showcase some of its varieties to the area and South West TAFE wanted a demonstration plot for teaching students about growing different species.

“We put the two together and it’s something that will benefit everyone,” Mr Cottam-Starkey said.

The connection came about through AGF Seeds’ relationship with the Terang Co-op Rural Store. “We have joined forces with the Terang Co-op in selling seeds and providing support and this demonstration site takes it to the next level,” Mr Cottam-Starkey said.

The site is germinating at the moment and AGF Seeds and the Terang Co-op plan to host grower open days in coming months.

“We have about 20 different species as well as some mixed species so we’re going to show the differences, especially what is going to be your best seed for quick feed in years when we have a really late break and dry summer,” Mr Cottam-Starkey said.

The project is also in partnership with Philmac.

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15/07/2025

Shelters find a new purpose for south-west Victorian farmer
Ten years ago, Simon Rea became the first Australian farmer to build a clear-roofed, deep-litter dairy shelter - and he’s still finding new ways to use it.
The shelter was designed to help his family’s Panmure farm increase herd size and production without putting too much stress on pastures and infrastructure, especially during the wet south-west Victorian winters.
It has worked beyond expectations, with the herd increasing from 380 to 600 over the decade and Simon becoming a partner in Dairy Shelters Australia.
Now he has found a new purpose for the shelter as the region battles the worst drought in memory. “This year we’ve been struck with crippling drought conditions in Western Victoria but we’ve had somewhere to put our cows while we’re trying to allow every mouthful of grass to grow on the farm,” Simon said.
“At the moment, the last thing you want is a cow on the paddocks. I’ve re-planted and it’s trying to grow but you put cows in and the grass won’t grow and there will be nothing in spring.”
Simon says the shelters and adjoining feed pads have been a cost-saver during the dry autumn, reducing the need to feed in the paddocks.
The dry autumn has been the toughest Simon has experienced in the 15 years he has owned the farm with wife Pep.
Their irrigation water entitlement ran out in January – the first time this has happened – but he has been able to access a regular supply of hay and keep the cows well fed. “If that wasn’t the case, it would be massively stressful,” he says.
Despite the difficult season, Simon has decided to keep the cows well fed to maintain production with only a small drop in numbers, all geared to a quick rebound when conditions improve.
The shelter has been an important management tool in that process. “One of the things shelters offer is a certain amount of flexibility in farming systems.”
Simon’s first shelter built in 2015 covers about 3800sqm. He added a second 2100sqm shelter in 2023 for young stock but it’s also proving valuable as an overflow shed because of the success of the first structure.
“They’ve really been a game changer for our business,” he says. “Before this, it was a battle to milk 400 cows if you’d get caught out by a wet winter or dry autumn. I’ve learnt to feed the cows well in and around the shelter and it has allowed our farming business to grow to 550 or 600 cows without worrying about the wet winter ahead and how and where to feed the cows.
“It has gone beyond wherever I thought it would go.”
The shelters have been popular with staff and Simon says they have helped his personal outlook. “It helps me cope with wet, depressing winters.”
Most importantly, the shelters are popular with the cows. “The cows love it, particularly as the nights get colder,” Simon says. “They just pack in and the floors and their own body heat keeps them warmer and more comfortable. The typical winter is grass in the day, shelter at night, but when it’s cold and blowy, they’re happy to stay under cover.”
Simon is confident that the herd is healthier with the shelters. “It’s good on their feet and they’re getting proper rest, rather than sitting on mud,” he says. “We get a lot less foot issues because the cows are only walking half as far, and it means a lot less track maintenance.”
The cows also seem to carry a bit extra weight and production has edged up.
Over the past decade, Dairy Shelters Australia has installed more than 50 shelters across Victoria, Tasmania, including three currently under construction, South Australia and southern NSW.
Dairy Shelters Australia was created after Simon and his vet Dr David Colson visited New Zealand to look at options for dairy shelter systems.
“They’re a great insurance policy for your farm,” Simon adds. “They pass the sleep test. When you’re in bed at night and hear rain on the roof and there’s a wet week forecasted, you know you’ve got an option.
“The shelters give you an ability to push the farm a bit harder but not be too concerned that the wheels are going to fall off and you’ve got cows walking around in bog holes.”
While the shelters have retained their basic clear-roof, deep-litter base, Dairy Shelters Australia has been looking at variations, including mesh along the west side for protection from the elements and retractable shade covers for calving.
“Not too much has changed but we are trialling a few things, though ventilation, air flow and light are still the keys to success. A solid roof would defeat the purpose.”
The shelters continue to be popular. “We’ve had several farmers who loved it so much in the first year or two that they came back for another span or two and said they should have built it bigger at the start.
“They are easy to extend so we recommend siting them in an open area.”

For more information: https://dairysheltersaustralia.com.au/, https://www.facebook.com/dairysheltersaustralia/

15/07/2025

“The 2021 flood was one-in-100 years and was a walk in the park compared to this one-in-500 years flood.”

Full story: https://tinyurl.com/34cu2k3k

07/07/2025

Genetics Australia re-accredited for China exports

Australian semen and embryos will soon be exported to China for the first time in more than four years in a major coup for the local industry.
Genetics Australia (GA), including subsidiary Total Livestock Genetics (TLG), has been granted official re-accreditation to export both bovine semen and embryos to China, re-opening a potentially huge market for Australian genetics.
The re-accreditation follows an onsite audit earlier this year of the TLG export facilities at Camperdown by the General Administration of Customs China (GACC).
The timing is opportune with China and the United States recently ending their trading agreements. Genetics Australia will work with its global trading partners to try to fill the void.
A start date for the resumption of exports is yet to be confirmed as health protocols to qualify genetic material have not been finalised.
It is expected that most exports will initially be beef genetics.
The previous accreditation ended in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. Prior to this, China was Genetics Australia’s biggest export market.
TLG operations manager Camperdown and Glenormiston, Ruth Barber, said it was exciting news but clients need to be patient.

“We can’t say that we’re trading tomorrow but as soon as the health protocols are finalised, which should be very soon, we will have a clearer picture of when we can resume.”

Ms Barber said re-accreditation was significant because of the four-year hiatus and the cessation of trading between China and USA over the past month.

“Our global partners are now looking at Australia to fill the void because they can no longer trade with China,” she said. “We have been getting phone calls every day. It’s potentially huge we are well positioned at our Camperdown and Glenormiston centres to ramp up our semen collection and embryo production.”

Genetics Australia’s most recent genetics export package to China in 2021 was more than 100,000 straws.

GA export manager Rob Derksen said it was too early to predict quantities, but China ending the significant trade with USA should create big opportunities.

“We see most promise and most interest initially in beef but there should also be opportunities for dairy,” Mr Derksen said. “While demand in China for imported dairy semen has dropped over recent years, there is a growing appetite for beef. Our role and partnerships as part of the URUS group will help to provide a vehicle to get high quality genetics into China.”

The trade could include exports to China by private breeders who place bulls with Genetics Australia, exports of GA owned semen, the supply of genetics through the URUS group into China, the placement of bulls at GA for collection by international companies and customers using its collection and export service.

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06/07/2025

EAST WARRNAMBOOL TO RELUCTANTLY DISBAND
The East Warrnambool Football and Netball Club will reluctantly disband at the end of the year, ending a community connection dating back more than 100 years.
The club will go out with a bang, holding a special luncheon on July 12 to remember the 1995 premiership team with another major event planned for later in the year.
East Warrnambool hasn’t fielded teams since 2019 but has been working tirelessly in an effort to re-enter the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League (WDFNL).
However, the club has cited a lack of support from WDFNL, Warrnambool City Council (WCC) and AFL Victoria for its decision to disband.
Speaking on behalf of the club, treasurer Julie Scoble said it was a reluctant move but the club had been left with no option.
“We’ve got a lot of long-term supporters who will be very disappointed, but we got to the stage where we’d exhausted all options,” Mrs Scoble said.
“I’ve been involved since 1989 and personally it’s heartbreaking, and many others will feel the same.”
The club was formed in 1907 and won premierships in 1967 and 1995, the latter by 143 points which remains a WDFNL record.
After going into recess in 2020 and 2021 due to upgrades at the Reid Oval, the club was granted an additional year recess in 2022 due to COVID. During this time the committee engaged with the WDFNL with the aim of re-entering competition in 2023.
However, the WDFNL’s re-entry criterion required the club to field in all senior and junior grades in both football and netball and nominate coaches and players.
“The club believed it could meet the requirements for senior football and all senior and junior netball but not junior football despite a focus on rebuilding in the East Warrnambool area,” Mrs Scoble said. “However, the dates for nominations were not realistic as most players and coaches were involved with other clubs.”
WDFNL also required documentation from Warrnambool City Council confirming continued long-term usage of the Reid Oval or an alternative long-term facility.
The council would not guarantee this until the club could demonstrate it was entered into a competition, even though at the time it still had three years left on its lease agreement.
“In other words, the council would not consider approval for use of the oval until the club was accepted by the league and the league would not approve re-entry until there was council approval use of the oval,” Mrs Scoble said.
“Due to the reluctance to negotiate on the re-entry criteria and a lack of support, there was no option but to withdraw the request to re-enter the WDFNL in September 2022.”
Over the past three years, East Warrnambool continued to operate as a social club while trying to find ways to return to competition but was ultimately frustrated by a lack of support from the council and WDFNL.
“It was an impasse out of our control that we couldn’t resolve,” Mrs Scoble said.
During this time, the club has distributed about $30,000 to various community groups, including $150 grants to anyone wanting to play WDFNL to help with sporting gear, and donations to Hospice in the Home and Merri River School.
The committee’s decision to disband was brought to a head by WCC refusing to renew the lease on the clubrooms beyond this year.
“The clubrooms were built and developed by members and we are very disappointed at the lack of communication and clarity from WCC as to what is happening to them,” Mrs Scoble added. The clubrooms are currently being used by the pool association and Hospice in the Home free of charge.
The club is starting the process of disbanding and will ensure items in the clubrooms are rehoused appropriately and funds appropriated for the community.
The July 12 luncheon will be held from noon during the Warrnambool-North Warrnambool game at Reid Oval.
The club thanks all former players, committee and club members, administrators, supporters and sponsors who contributed over more than 100 years to Hopkins Ward, East Stars Football Club and East Warrnambool Football and Netball Club.

02/07/2025

Here and Now Workshop Series to Empower Farmers with Future-Ready Practices
A series of expert-led workshops across regional Victoria will empower farmers with future-ready practices for profitable farming and climate resilience.
Agriculture Victoria is sponsoring the Here and Now workshop series at Drouin, Kyabram, Colac and Warrnambool to equip farmers with cutting-edge insights and practical tools to navigate climate challenges and optimise feed farming practices.
Sponsored by the Drought Support Package, these workshops will bring together industry leaders to explore innovative solutions for forage growth, herd management, weather resilience, and technology adoption.
Consultant and ruminant nutritionist Laura Tweddle has created this series, bringing in expert colleagues in each region to provide positive and constructive information and advice. The aim of the series is to give attendees some tools and information to take away that might help in planning for climate variation in their farming business.
The workshops include expert speakers Ms Tweddle, from Aggies without Borders, meteorologist Jane Bunn (Jane’s Weather), and agronomy specialists Damien Adcock (Barenbrug Seeds) and Phil White (Ag Diagnostics). Consultants Steve Ralstan (Integral Feed services) and Donna Woerz (Debenham Australia) join the Kyabram and Drouin events.
There will be tailored discussions on region-specific climate drivers, paddock performance, and feed strategies for West Gippsland (Drouin), Goulburn Valley (Kyabram), South West (Colac and Warrnambool).
Topics include weather forecasting, fertility management, digital farming tools (CropX Australia), with business planning (Pinnacle Group) your take-away message with Jessica Connor Kennedy to make the most of your time.
Ms Tweddle says the workshops are about turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. “We’re bridging the gap between traditional practices and the tech-driven future of farming,” she said. “Understanding local weather drivers is key to resilience and farmers will leave with actionable strategies for their unique conditions.”
People can join in-person or online.
Workshop Details:
1. Drouin – 15th July, 10:30am | Drouin Family Hotel
Focus: Forage restoration, climate challenges, and herd diet planning.
2. Kyabram – 22nd July, 10:00am | Kyabram Fauna Park
Focus: Feed value comparison, business planning, and seasonal insights.
3. Colac – 29th July, 10:00am | COPACC
Focus: Paddock renovation, effluent water use, and fertiliser technology.
4. Warrnambool – 21st August, 10:00am | The Flying Horse
Focus: High-rainfall herd management and agri-tech solutions.
Registration:
Free to attend. Secure your spot via Eventbrite (Here and Now Series).

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02/07/2025

GCH ends drink driver program but online options available
A drink and drug driver behaviour change program servicing the Grampians-Wimmera region is closing but local residents will be able to access the program online.
Grampians Community Health (CGH) will no longer offer the face-to-face program locally due to increasing costs and dwindling participation.
The decision comes amid concerns about the program failing to achieve its goals and difficulties for rural people without a licence to access and afford the service.
A substantial reduction in numbers using the service has led to fears that many people in remote areas may be not be going through the process of getting their licence back.
GCH General manager of community services, Faith Hardman, said that while the local program was ending, ironically this would make it easier for more local people to access the service.
“We have to deliver face-to-face, which can be very difficult for people in rural areas, but now people will be able to access the program online,” she said.
The program is overseen by VicRoads under the Road Safety Act and has been running in Maryborough, Hamilton and Horsham and was previously in St Arnaud, Ararat and Stawell.
It had been reaching up to 400 participants a year, but dropped to 317 in 2022-23, 242 in 2023-24 and 189 in 2024-25.
“Over the past three years, we have seen a significant decline in participants,” Ms Hardman said. “This year we have cancelled courses in nearly every location nearly every month.”
During COVID, GCH was allowed to deliver the program online and it was successful, but after the pandemic it was required to revert to face-to-face sessions.
People have to seek consent from VicRoads to do the course online or in person.
Completing a behaviour change program is a requirement for anyone who's committed either a drink or drug driving offence before they can apply to get their licence back.
The standard program is a six-hour course delivered over three days with an individual counselling session, while an intensive program is nine-hours plus counselling. The standard program costs $400, concession $356, the intensive program $780 and a mandatory interlock removal course $200.
“It is part of the consequences of drink driving, but for many it is an inaccessible program because of the cost,” Ms Hardman said. “There has been a drop-off in attendance, but there has not been a drop off in the number of people drink and drug driving, which leaves us to worry that more people are taking the risk of driving unlicensed.
“Cost of living is a big part of that, but in remote areas, people may be risking it, even though it is punishable by jail.”
GCH has been concerned about the effectiveness of the program. “We see the same people going through again and again so we have to question its value,” Ms Hardman said. “VicRoads believes it is more effective delivered in person and in a group setting but our ability to deliver the program effectively and efficiently has been stymied because we have to cater to a complicated bus timetable in every location for people to come to the sessions. We have reliable public transport but it doesn’t cover the whole region.
“VicRoads is looking for accountability in a group learning setting, but what we have witnessed is people are not attending in rural and remote regions and for those that do, there is frustration and disappointment with people not changing their actions.”
Ms Hardman said complications in the qualifications required for delivering the course added to the cost pressure.
She said GCH had made a substantial financial loss delivering the program over the past five years. “We’re now in a tough fiscal environment where we can no longer prop up the program at the expense of others, especially when people book but don’t turn up.
“We cover a significant geographic area with this program and don’t have the simple scenario where people can just walk into a program. We have to get over lots of barriers such as the cost-of-living crisis, distance and transport to get people in the doors which makes the viability really challenging.
“We have to step outside a city-based mentality to help our community.”
The program will run until the end of July when all current registered participants finish the course. Local residents needing to undertake the course after this date can do so by finding an online course provider on the Department of Transport Victoria website.

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25/06/2025

Grampians Community Health (GCH) is expanding its NDIS service support to include the Ballarat region.
GCH has been delivering NDIS programs across the Grampians and Wimmera regions since the scheme was rolled out in 2018, and currently has five support co-ordinators, one psychosocial recovery coach and three plan management officers supporting 795 NDIS clients.
From July 1, GCH will take over more than 100 participants in the Ballarat region previously supported by Ballarat Community Health (B*H). The four existing B*H staff will remain at the Ballarat office and continue supporting existing NDIS clients under the merged program.
GCH CEO Greg Little said bringing our teams together creates a more sustainable program and enables us to keep improving the services we offer and better support our staff.
This collaborative approach has minimised the impact on participants who have been supported through transition of providers.
“Because of our relationship as neighbouring community health agencies and our connections through the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (AARCH), B*H was keen for the program to continue under the community health umbrella and approached GCH to take it on,” Mr Little said.
“We were keen because it expands our pool of staff and they can all learn off each other, including a highly qualified Ballarat staff member who can do more intensive support coordination. This gives us the capacity to support higher-level clients and more people in our local area.”
Mr Little said community health was well placed to deliver NDIS programs. “We have the skills, and we are invested in NDIS, so it was logical to combine the program under our banner” he said.
“Community health is local, founded on the needs of our community and not-for-profit so we make sure everything is put back into the community for the needs of participants.”
The existing B*H staff will become GCH staff based at the Ballarat Community Health centre and continue to support most of the existing participants. It is the first time GCH has offered services from a Ballarat base.
GCH offers support coordination, plan management, and individual supports for NDIS participants from its Ararat, Stawell, and Horsham sites and to the South Australian border. “Because some of our services can be delivered remotely, we have participants getting services from us from all over the state,” Mr Little said.
GCH participates in a continual review cycle with its last accreditation in 2024. “This is a necessary, but big commitment GCH makes to be involved in providing NDIS services and safeguard our participants,” Mr Little said.
GCH will continue to look to expand what it can offer to NDIS eligible people in the Ballarat area.
B*H CEO Sean Duffy said B*H was delighted to be able to transition our participants and staff to a like-minded organisation who share our values. “Ballarat Community Health will still be here to support people with disabilities through our current services, offering care that is easy to access, affordable, and of good quality,” Mr Duffy said.

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20/06/2025

https://www.smallfarms.net/never-look-a-gift-horse-in-the-mouth/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLBi7VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKQWJhbzlYUFkzRW1XVjRuAR6jyDUhK7LoPmH1LGziFY1pcgzXrjt9hkkwWC6gGw1EboiTDszg-tBwZyF5mg_aem_1LQZlp4KsSJbfnE0zcSpHQ

When Katrina Routson was celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary, her husband Simon offered a diamond ring or a horse as a gift. Katrina went with the horse. The choice was hardly surprising consi…

20/06/2025

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Tasmania is leading the charge when it comes to virtual fencing in Australia. Victorian and NSW farmers want to follow suit but, as RICK BAYNE discovered, they have to overcome state animal welfare…

20/06/2025

https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/news/flood-beyond-comprehension/

Dairy farmers on the NSW mid-north coast thought the 2021 flood was bad but they took solace in the knowledge that it was classified as a one-in-100-year flood.