Quad Bike Safety on Farms
Quad bikes are an essential piece of machinery for some farms but also feature in a number of farm fatalities each year. Let’s look at the health and safety requirements where the quad bike is the right vehicle for the…
News
Casual Workers Decision
A groundbreaking decision this week has been given by the Federal Court, ruling that certain casual workers are entitled to paid leave entitlements. This can cause a lot of potential issues for employers that currently employ casual staff. Casual workers…
Foot and mouth disease – livestock industry’s single greatest threat
Outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) have previously occurred in Australia, but not since the 19th century. The last known incursion of the virus was in Victoria in 1872 from a bull imported from England. Since then, the virus has…
Seasonal Worker Program
The Horticulture Group was part of the development of the initial Seasonal Worker Program pilot program and has continued to support the program as a way for growers to source a reliable workforce. The VFF encourages growers who are seeking…
Honey Production in Australia
Australia is the fourth largest exporter of honey in the world after China, Argentina and Mexico. Australian honey varieties are recognised for their high quality and unique flavours, affected by the bee’s feasting on a wide range of wild nectars.…
Hygiene vital to preventing zoonotic disease spread
An old friend called the other day to ask my opinion on some sick cows on his farm in Central Victoria. Like many producers, Pete had been feeding out a mixture of hay and grain since January to keep the…
Winter Blues – warning about sheep and cattle losses
Significant rainfall in the past month has been welcomed across many parts of Victoria, however, the relieving rain brings with it great risks for livestock. Most losses in drought occur after we get a break. The period when animals are…
Welfare in yards
The welfare of animals in yards has multiple benefits. Reducing stress on animals reduces the stress on you and makes life simpler, calmer and safer. If you never have to use an electric prodder, poly pipe or get upset and…
Pulpy Kidney – should I vaccinate?
Effective vaccinations for pulpy kidney have been available for over 50 years however it remains the third biggest killer of sheep, according to figures from Agriculture Victoria. Despite following the manufacturer’s recommendations you can still incur losses from pulpy kidney.…
Farm visitors and biosecurity
No one wants to be seen as inhospitable but biosecurity provisions leave us in somewhat of a predicament. Your farm is often your home and your business. You don’t want to be unwelcoming but at the same time you don’t…
Check your livestock’s water quality
Livestock must have access to water; this is common knowledge. However, given recent conditions you may consider testing the quality of available water sources; with warm dry conditions resulting in dropping dam levels and dry bare paddocks. This can contribute…
Don’t bargain on cheap feed
As the price of conventional fodder and grain remain high there have been a number of reports of people sourcing or being offered alternative stockfeed. At a glance some of these alternatives appear to be good value but they may…