AgVic Talk
Agriculture Victora
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Welcome to the Agriculture Victoria 'AgVic Talk' podcast series. Follow along as we bring you stories, advice and information from around the state. In our first series we will be covering contemporary problems and solutions for bushfire recovery, drought and dry seasons, weather and climate as well as hearing some stories from inspiring young farmers.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jun 26, 2022
A problem shared is a problem halved with Nicole Wells
Nicole Wells is a Community Development Officer at NCN Health in north-east Victoria where she is delivering the local Farm Community Connect project for farmers and her rural community. The project provides opportunities for rural communities to connect socially and build stronger networks to support each other during tough times.
This project is funded through Agriculture Victoria’s Smarter, Safer Farms program and is being delivered by the Department of Health and partner organisations.
For mental health and wellbeing support, contact your GP
The National Centre for Farmer Health and AgriSafe program, visit farmerhealth.org.au/agrisafe-clinics
If this podcast has brought up any difficult emotions for you, please reach out to someone you can talk to or call the Beyond Blue support service on 1300 22 46 36, MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For more information: www.beyondblue.org.au/www.lifeline.org.au/mensline.org.au/
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Jun 12, 2022
I want to share my experience of fire with Tom Silcock
A bushfire can be an extremely stressful event for farmers. Often, they are left with damaged or destroyed fencing and infrastructure, burnt pastures, and arguably most difficult of all, the loss of livestock.
In this AgVic Talk podcast, we chat with Tom Silcock, Merino farmer near Balmoral, at the foot of the Black Range Mountains, which is near the Grampians. Unfortunately Tom has been burnt out twice and also confronted fires around his properties on half a dozen other occasions. Listen to hear what he has learn ’t from these unenviable experiences.
This podcast is provided by the Local Economic Recovery “On Farm Recovery Support Services” project which is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Content Warning: This podcast features discussion of effects on livestock following a bushfire and may be confronting and disturbing to someone who has experienced a similar situation. For some people, these responses can be overwhelming. If you need to talk to someone, support is available. Find & Connect Support Services: Freecall 1800 16 11 09 (Monday–Friday 9am–5pm). Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 anytime for confidential telephone crisis support.
Know how to manage your livestock immediately after a fire - https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/what-to-do-after-a-bushfire/check-livestock,-pets-and-animals
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/what-to-do-after-a-bushfire
Farm bushfire recovery resources - https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/bushfire-factsheets-and-resources
Recovery after fire guide - https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0006/613518/Recovery-After-Fire-Guide.docx
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Jun 11, 2022
Make sure you are bushfire prepared with Jeff Cave
A bushfire is an extremely stressful event for farmers. Often, they are left with damaged or destroyed fencing and infrastructure, burnt pastures, and arguably most painful of all, the devastating loss of livestock.
In this latest AgVic Talk podcast episode, Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria’s Senior Veterinary Officer has unfortunately seen the aftermath of many bushfires. Jeff provides information on how to minimize the effect of fire on livestock and how to manage livestock during and immediately after a fire.
This podcast is provided by the Local Economic Recovery “On Farm Recovery Support Services” project which is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Content Warning: This podcast features discussion of effects on livestock following a bushfire and may be confronting and disturbing to someone who has experienced a similar situation. For some people, these responses can be overwhelming. If you need to talk to someone, support is available. Find & Connect Support Services: Freecall 1800 16 11 09 (Monday–Friday 9am–5pm). Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 anytime for confidential telephone crisis support.
Know how to manage your livestock immediately after a fire - https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/what-to-do-after-a-bushfire/check-livestock,-pets-and-animals
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/what-to-do-after-a-bushfire
Farm bushfire recovery resources - https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/bushfire-factsheets-and-resources
Recovery after fire guide - https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0006/613518/Recovery-After-Fire-Guide.docx
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Jun 9, 2022
Dealing with change with Daryl Hoey and Dale Grey
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour.
Firstly today, we visit Wonthaggi dairy farmer Daryl Hoey who has moved 2,000 kilometres south over three separate moves, all because he's chasing more favorable conditions
Second stop we chat with Dale Grey, Seasonal Risk Agronomist with Agriculture Victoria who helped formulate five simple things that people needed to ask themselves about their farm to help farmers during the Millennium Drought. These five big questions can pertain to anyone's stage in life.
Five big questions
* are you enjoying what you are doing?
* can you sustain the effort?
* is your family supporting what you are doing?
* are you living a lifestyle that you are happy with?
* have you enough to retire on?
Five big options
* use tools/skills to remove income volatility
* capture more profit along value chain
* change and or diversify enterprise
* change the capital base
* exit
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Jun 7, 2022
Efficiently utilising water with Greg Bekker and Dr Grant Connelly
Climbing on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour. In this episode, we find out water reticulation systems are helping farmers prepare their business’ to deal with an increasingly variable climate.
First stop is to visit Agriculture Victoria’s Greg Bekker who first installed a water reticulation system in 1984.
We then visit Dr Grant Connelly, who with his wife Kerry have installed a water reticulation system on their central Victorian property.
Find more information:
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
The summer water calculator
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/tools-and-calculators/summer-water-calculator
Farm water calculator
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/tools-and-calculators/farm-water-calculator
Information on managing farm water https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water
An eLearn that takes you through farm water management
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/elearning/livestock-and-animals-courses#h2-3
Contact an Agriculture Victoria extension officer for more information
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Jun 1, 2022
Stock containment yards make sense on many levels with Peter Gibson and Martin Hamilton
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bur tour.
In this episode, we look at the use of stock containment yards to provide opportunities to maintain paddock condition during dry and wet conditions.
First stop is to Bendigo to meet with Peter Gibson, who runs a self-replacing Merino herd. After spending significant time carting water during some dry springs, Peter investigated setting up a stock containment yard.
Then we visit Agriculture Victoria’s Martin Hamilton who believes stock containment yards allow farmers to take advantage of the benefits to pasture health and gives them other farm management options throughout the year.
Find more information:
Access information about stock containment areas.
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/land-and-pasture-management/stock-containment-areas-for-emergencies
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/managing-for-and-during-drought/preparing-your-farm-for-drought
Feeding livestock website to assist with feed budgeting
www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
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May 29, 2022
Improving productivity and sustainability with Malcolm Keag and Clem Sturmfels
Climbing on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour. In this episode, we find out how Whole Farm Planning is helping farmers prepare their operations to deal with an increasingly variable climate.
First stop is Lancefield to visit Malcolm Keag, who shares his journey from chemical engineering and marine biologist to beef farmer. He is passionate about planning his farm to ensure it is preparing for the future.
Then we visit Agriculture Victoria's Clem Sturmfels who believes now is the time to get involved in a Whole Farm Planning course. You will learn as much from other farmers as you will from specialists in their own area.
Find more information:
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
Relevant and accurate information on soil moisture monitoring within the Victorian agricultural sector.
https://extensionaus.com.au/soilmoisturemonitoring/
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May 27, 2022
Are you irrigating efficiently? with Nick O'Halloran
Are you an irrigator? Is your irrigation system performing at its full potential?
Join us for the AgVic Talk podcast as we chat with Agriculture Victoria’s Irrigation Extension Officer Nick O'Halloran about the benefits of getting an on-farm irrigation assessment for centre pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. The on-farm irrigation assessment program is available to northern Victorian irrigators to help them use their irrigation water more efficiently, improve crop yields, increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
The Agriculture Victoria irrigation services team is currently offering system checks on centre pivot and lateral move (CPLM) irrigation systems in northern Victoria under the Sustainable Irrigation Program in partnership with DELWP and Goulburn Broken and North Central catchment management authorities.
If you are interested in participating in the assessment program or would like to discuss the proposed design of your planned irrigation system, contact Nick O’Halloran on 0438 321 528 for the Goulburn Broken region, Tim Robinson on 0448 587 583 in the North Central region or email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au
There's a range of information on the Agriculture Victoria website: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water/irrigation
For information regularly posted about irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling, irrigation assessments and design visit Irrigating Agriculture: https://extensionaus.com.au/irrigatingag/home
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May 25, 2022
Farm business resilience with Frank Casella and Kit Duncan-Jones
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour.
Our first stop today is Frank Casella, who farms beef cattle in Gippsland. The drought of 2017, 2018 left a lasting impression upon him. Since then, he's done a lot of planning, focusing on ensuring his business and family are never affected in the same way again.
Then we stop to chat with Agriculture Victoria's Kit Duncan-Jones, who is responsible for delivering the Farm Business Resilience Program. If you are keen to gain some new skills to improve your farm business into the future, then this program may be for you!
The Farm Business Resilience program provides farmers with the opportunity to develop a plan for their farm business. Participants will improve their skills and knowledge to better prepare for and manage risk, adapt change and strengthen their farm business’ resilience.
Topics covered in the program include:
* identifying and managing new emerging risks
* business planning and financial management
* succession planning and people management
* AgTech and Internet of Things (IoT)
* managing soils and farm water for the future.
The pilot program is targeted for Victorian livestock, grain and mixed farmers as well as all young farmers. Farmers will be supported by Agriculture Victoria staff and a professional Farm Management Consultant to develop their strategic plan for their farm business.
Participants will also be able to access a Farm Business Resilience Resource Library during and after the program, with available resources including program worksheets, presentation materials, videos, podcasts, eLearns and useful websites.
The Farm Business Resilience program is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Victorian Government through the Future Drought Fund.
To register your interest in participating the Farm Business Resilience program, please complete the following form or please contact Kit Duncan-Jones on 0427 749 466 or kit.duncan-jones@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Further information about the program and the Future Drought Fund can also be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.
Dairy Australia is delivering the dairy component of the Farm Business Resilience Program, through their Our Farm Our Plan program. More information on Our Farm Our Plan is available on the Dairy Australia website.
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May 19, 2022
If you can't measure it, you can't evaluate it with Craig Henderson and Tim Gleeson
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour.
In this episode, we look at two different business who have gone around mitigating their risk in very different way.
First stop is to the southern Mallee to meet Craig Henderson. Craig and his family have built their business to spread their risk over the low and medium rainfall zones of western Victoria.
Then we visit Tim Gleeson at Swan Hill where he farms 18,000 hectares with his brother. They have built their business to be as vertically integrated into their supply chain as possible.
Find more information:
Benchmarking information collated and presented by Agriculture Victoria.
https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestockfarmmonitor
https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dairyfarmmonitor
The Victorian government support farm business’ in expanding their skills through program such as Farm Business Resilience and Young Farmer Projects.
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
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May 15, 2022
The figures are correct, they don't lie with Ian Arney and Sam Henty
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour.
In this episode, we understand how benchmarking is helping farmers understand their business and adapt to the modern world.
First stop is the Millewa region of the far north west of Victoria to meet third generation farmer Ian Arney. Ian has used benchmarking to allow him to maintain a profitable business in a low rainfall region.
Then we visit Agriculture Victoria’s Sam Henty who believes all business’ should be collecting valuable data to allow them to better understand their business performance over time, “most farmers have the capacity to do this themselves.”
Find more information:
Benchmarking information collated and presented by Agriculture Victoria.
https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestockfarmmonitor
https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dairyfarmmonitor
The Victorian government support farm business’ in expanding their skills through program such as Farm Business Resilience and Young Farmer Projects…
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May 11, 2022
Can making good decisions be learned? with Cam Nicholson
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour.
In this episode, Cam Nicholson, farmer and consultant with Nicon Rural Services talks about about how making good decisions is fundamental to success, particular in tough years.
Find more information:
Making good decisions great.
https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2015/02/making-good-decisions-great
Build your decision trigger point calendar https://decisionwizard.sfs.org.au/
The Victorian government support farm business’ in expanding their skills through program such as Farm Business Resilience and Young Farmer Projects.
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au…
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May 11, 2022
The cream of the crop - supporting student's careers in agriculture with Dr Sharon Aarons and Ashley Rosewarne
Dr Sharon Aarons is a dairy research scientist at the Ellinbank Smart Farm in west Gippsland. Helping the dairy industry address challenging problems like waste management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are part of her role at the farm where she also supports students and those aspiring to a career in agriculture to gain experience in the agriculture sector.
In this episode, Dr Aarons and Ashley Rosewarne from the Gardiner Foundation discuss opportunities to get your foot in the door with ag.
For more information about the Agriculture Victoria SmartFarms visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/our-research/our-innovation-ecosystem/our-smartfarms
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May 7, 2022
What does climate change mean for your production? with Cam Nicholson
Climb on board and join us for this virtual climate bus tour.
In this episode, we aim to translate climate change data into production impacts on your property with the assistance of Cam Nicholson from Nicon Rural Services.
Find more information:
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
Relevant and accurate information on soil moisture monitoring within the Victorian agricultural sector.
https://extensionaus.com.au/soilmoisturemonitoring/
Insights into the Ararat Rural City Council project.
https://www.landcarevic.org.au/assets/Uploads/C299-DELWP-VLCM69-lo-res.pdf
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May 3, 2022
Learning from different regions with Graeme Anderson and Ben Hunt
This episode highlights how climate change data in the form of locational differences can assist farmers to understand how to respond to warmer temperatures and more variable rainfall.
Ben Hunt, from Bordertown, South Australia shares some of the things he has done to adapt and deal with climate variability. Ben has learnt from looking at other areas in Australia, where their climate could be a bit more like what they will experiencing in the future.
Climate specialist with Agriculture Victoria, Graeme Anderson then talks about climate analogues, what they are and how a farmer can use then to help in their business.
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
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May 3, 2022
Introduction with climate specialist Graeme Anderson
Welcome to the Virtual Climate Bus Tour, taking you to visit farmers and advisors who are producing solutions for their regions and businesses in a variable and changing climate.
There's the Climate Change in Australia website. https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/
Look up your location on the climate analogue website: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/projections-tools/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/
Agriculture Victoria's climate and weather website. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
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Apr 11, 2022
YES agriculture is for you with Caylem Roberts and Russell Adcock
No two career journeys are the same, join us to hear from Caylem Roberts, a Youth Employment Scheme (YES) trainee and Russell Adcock, Agriculture Victoria Senior Advisor Aboriginal Employment and Engagement on their experiences finding careers in the agriculture sector.
For more information about the Agriculture Victoria SmartFarms visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/our-research/our-innovation-ecosystem/our-smartfarms
Want to find out more about seasonal work and how to access training? Call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.
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Mar 30, 2022
We all have a story to tell - diversity builds a stronger agriculture sector with Vidura Delpitya
Twenty years ago Vidura Delpitya (Del) made the choice to leave Sri Lanka and bring his family to Australia. In this episode, Del shares his experience leaving his homeland and making a life for his family in the Victorian agricultural community.
Join the Big Victoria Harvest https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/the-big-victorian-harvest
Workplace cultural diversity tool: https://culturaldiversity.humanrights.gov.au
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Mar 27, 2022
The mental load - the invisible job of managing life with Kirsten Diprose
Kirsten Diprose lives and farms near Caramut in south west Victoria. She is one of the co-collaborators of ‘Ducks on a Pond’, a podcast series which connects and shares stories and advice of rural women for women on the land.
In this episode, Kirsten shares insights about juggling the mental load. If you ever feel like a human octopus, then this podcast is a must listen for you.
For mental health and wellbeing support, contact your GP or the National Centre for Farmer Health, visit farmerhealth.org.au/
If this podcast has brought up any difficult emotions for you, please reach out to someone you can talk to or call the Beyond Blue support service on 1300 22 46 36, MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For more information: www.beyondblue.org.au/www.lifeline.org.au/mensline.org.au/
Financial literacy tools and training (https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/elearning/farm-and-business-management-courses)
Rural Womens Network and Mentoring…
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Feb 28, 2022
Exciting career opportunities in agriculture with Jasmine Marsh and Roy Daykin
No two career journeys are the same, join us to hear from Jasmine Marsh, a PhD student completing her doctorate at the Horsham SmartFarm; and Roy Daykin, a local agronomist who works very closely with the scientists at the SmartFarm, distilling their research into meaningful advice for his clients.
For more information about the Agriculture Victoria SmartFarms visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/our-research/our-innovation-ecosystem/our-smartfarms
For more information about financial literacy tools and training visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/elearning/farm-and-business-management-courses
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Feb 20, 2022
Putting the black dog behind you - acknowledging and getting help to manage depression with Matt Wilson
Dairy farmer Matt Wilson speaks candidly about the challenges of recognising the signs of depression, seeking help and the great work that is happening in Gippsland to support farmers.
For mental health and wellbeing support, contact your GP or the National Centre for Farmer Health, visit farmerhealth.org.au/.
You can talk to the Lifeline team on 13 11 14. If you, or someone you know needs crisis support, call 000.
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Feb 15, 2022
A great safety culture improves productivity with Ashley Fraser
“The hardest thing in the world would be telling a workman's family that he's just had a tragic accident and he won't be coming home.” For grain farmer and business owner, Ashley Fraser, having a strong safety culture is part of running a successful business and ensuring that everyone on the farm can go home to their families at the end of the day.
Through the Victorian Government funded Making our Farms Safer project, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing farm safety advice and support for all Victorian farmers, visit https://www.makingourfarmssafer.org.au/ for more information.
WorksafeVictoria provides the OHS Essentials program, a free workplace safety consultation service, delivered by independent occupational health and safety experts worksafe.vic.gov.au/ohs-essentials-program
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for y…
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Feb 10, 2022
Getting people in the door with bush nurse Megan Lee
Bush nurse and midwife Megan Lee talks about living and working in a remote community and how providing a medical outreach service is only one part of the services performed by East Gippsland’s six Bush Nursing Centres.
Join Megan to find out about the Bush Nursing in Gippsland pilot and how it is making a difference and improving health outcomes for farmers and farming families.
Visit Smarter, Safer Farms for more information about the Bush Nursing in Gippsland pilot project.
Farmer HAT is a free online self-assessment tool developed to promote a safe farming culture and healthy personal behaviours.
Flying Doctor Wellbeing, offered by the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria, provides access to FREE mental health and wellbeing services for people living in rural and remote communities.
Dargo Bush Nursing Centre. Phone (03) 5140 1246 or email dargobnc@gha.net.au
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Feb 8, 2022
Proudly calling regional Victoria home with Dr Alessio Scalisi
In this episode we hear from Dr Alessio Scalisi, one of Agriculture Victoria’s research scientists based at Tatura.
Join Alessio as he discusses his experience relocating to Australia, adapting to life in regional Victoria and how advances in sensing and remote technologies are creating new career opportunities in agricultural research.
For more information about the Agriculture Victoria SmartFarms visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/our-research/our-innovation-ecosystem/our-smartfarms
For more information about Agriculture Victoria’s Get into AgSTEM programs for secondary school students visit: https://www.getintoagstem.com.au/
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Jan 10, 2022
The future of agriculture is Smart with Anna-Leisa Vietz and Sarah Dennis
The future of agriculture is smart, with on-farm technology leading the way for productivity and efficiency gains.
In this episode we hear about the Agriculture Victoria Get into AgSTEM workshops conducted at our research facilities, AgriBio and regional SmartFarms.
The workshops are aligned to school curriculum and give students hands-on experience working with technology in an agricultural context.
For more information about Agriculture Victoria’s Get into AgSTEM programs visit: https://www.getintoagstem.com.au/
For more information about the Agriculture Victoria SmartFarms visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/our-research/our-innovation-ecosystem/our-smartfarms
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Dec 9, 2021
Bush nursing centres, providing critical services for remote communities with Sue Carroll
East Gippsland bush nurse, Sue Carroll is passionate about her community and committed to ensuring that farmers and farming families are supported by a service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Join Sue to find out about the Bush Nursing in Gippsland pilot and how it is making a difference and improving health outcomes for farmers and farming families.
Visit Smarter, Safer Farms for more information about the Bush Nursing in Gippsland pilot project.
Farmer HAT is a free online self-assessment tool developed to promote a safe farming culture and healthy personal behaviours.
Flying Doctor Wellbeing, offered by the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria, provides access to FREE mental health and wellbeing services for people living in rural and remote communities.
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Nov 28, 2021
Creating a career in horticulture with Cliff Bramich and Peter Finlayson
Limited experience and training are not barriers to getting into the horticultural industry, as orchard manager, Cliff Bramich, and farmhand, Peter Finlayson, explain.
Want to find out more about seasonal work and how to access training? Call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.
Find out if you’re eligible for the Summer Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus.
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Nov 22, 2021
Pasture management in autumn post fire with Fiona Baker
Fiona Baker, Livestock Extension Officer with Agriculture Victoria provides autumn management tips for pastures affected by bushfires. Fiona discusses key strategies to assist recovering pastures including assessing pastures, when to think about resowing, summer fodder cropping, grazing management and the importance of maintaining soil fertility.
This podcast is proudly supported by Agriculture Victoria’s Local Economic Recovery “On Farm Recovery Support Services” Project.
The Local Economic Recovery “On Farm Recovery Support Services” project is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
For more Agriculture Victoria information on managing pasture post fire, check out the feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au website.
Get in contact with your local Agriculture Victoria extension officer who can direct you to relevant information and advice to help manage pastures._ _
For more…
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Nov 18, 2021
Improved production and efficiency with Peter Morrish
Southern Cross Farms’ Development and Water Manager, Peter Morrish, wanted to ensure that all staff were aware of how to maintain and look after the vital irrigation equipment. So, he organised a workshop with the assistance of staff at Agriculture Victoria.
Find out more here: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/water/irrigation
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Nov 3, 2021
Farming the Grewal way with Aman Grewal
Sunraysia’s Grewal family have built their business from scratch over the past 20 years. In this episode Aman Grewal explains the evolution of the business by his father and uncles, which now includes almonds, citrus, wheat, berries and their own flour milling facility.
View the Irrigation Management Tool (IrriStat) online course here.
Check out the Agriculture Victoria tools and calculators here.
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Oct 27, 2021
Planning and preparing for a harvest fire with Ian Hastings
Mallee grain farmer Ian Hastings is passionate about ensuring that everyone who is working in the paddock during harvest knows how to operate the firefighting equipment.
However, Ian admits that if you don’t plan for an emergency, practice using your firefighting unit and train your team how to use it, you’re risking lives and potentially wasting a lot of money.
High visibility cotton work clothing is available for purchase in Australia. Contact Agriculture Victoria in 136 186, or your consultant before making any changes on farm.
Fire management planning on farms involves protecting your assets and your people. Visit the CFA for more information about preparing your farm for fire.
Through the Victorian Government funded Making our Farms Safer project, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing farm safety advice and support for all Victorian farmers. Visit MOFS for more information https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/
WorksafeVictoria provides the O…
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Oct 19, 2021
Safety is a non-negotiable with Emma Bolding
South West organic beef producer Emma Bolding considers on-farm safety to be a non-negotiable aspect of her family business.
Through the Farm Safety Rebate, Emma and her partner were able to upgrade the livestock handling facilities on their property improving safety for themselves and others working on the farm.
Installation of the new equipment has had immediate health and safety benefits, and Emma has also seen improvements and efficiencies to the workflow when moving cattle through the yards plus better access to the animals because of the improved construction of the new equipment.
Through the Victorian Government funded Making our Farms Safer project, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing farm safety advice and support for all Victorian farmers, visit https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/ for more information.
WorksafeVictoria provides the OHS Essentials program, a free workplace safety consultation service, delivered by independent occupational…
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Oct 12, 2021
It is an exciting time to be in farming with Stephen Bennett
Sunraysia dry fruit producer, Stephen Bennett is excited about being in the agriculture industry now with the digital revolution.
Stephen is not only using technology already available to farmers, but has a keen interest in robotic technology to improve efficiency gains on his family property.
View the Irrigation Management Tool (IrriStat) online course here.
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Oct 5, 2021
Safety doesn't take a holiday with Jason Mellings and Jason Fogg
Wimmera grain producer Jason Mellings has made safety an essential element of his business culture. This not only ensures employees and family get home safely at night but being safe also provides business efficiencies.
Farmhand Jason Fogg enjoys working at _Breaker Day_ with the Mellings family because the focus on safety ensures that he feels safe and the farm is an efficient and effective operation. Something the commercial helicopter pilot understands well which is important when working with big and expensive machinery.
Fatigue isn't the same as being sleepy or drowsy. It’s about pushing our bodies beyond their mental and physical limits day after day, with no time to recover. Visit Worksafe Victoria for more information.
Through the Victorian Government funded Making our Farms Safer project, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing farm safety advice and support for all Victorian farmers, visit https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/ for more inform…
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Oct 1, 2021
If you can't measure it, you can't manage it with Nick Blandford
Gippsland sheep farmer, former climate researcher and climate change advocate Nick Blandford firmly believes that Australian agriculture can adapt to climate change.
Discover how he is using his knowledge of climate change science to work with his local community and inform his business decisions, ensuring that soil health, emissions and profitability are all integrated in his business model.
In this episode, Nick explains why he is investing time into climate adaption and the importance of working with the community.
Find out more about the opportunities and support available for young farmers through Agriculture Victoria: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Join the Young Farmers Network community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngfarmersnetwork/
Check out the Agriculture Victoria website for more climate information: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather
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Sep 20, 2021
Learning from other people's experiences, mistakes and successes with Sammy Mitchell and Andrew Bell
Young farmer, Samantha Mitchell, is now running the family property in the southern Mallee, but she knows there are still plenty of things she needs to learn. That is why she applied to be a part of the Young Farmer and New Entrant Mentoring Program.
She has been paired with Andrew Bell, who has been offering her guidance while she works to employee her first staff member. In this episode, they explain the steps they have been following and Andrew provides his thoughts on why his 40-year working relationship with his employee has been so successful.
Find out more about the opportunities and support available for young farmers through Agriculture Victoria: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Join the Young Farmers Network community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngfarmersnetwork/
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Sep 14, 2021
Share farming as an opportunity with Hans van Wees
Gippsland dairy farmer Hans van Wees has been share farming on his current property for 15 years. While it can be expensive to get into agriculture, share farming could provide a pathway for future farmers.
In this episode, Hans shares his knowledge and thoughts about the benefits and things to know about share farming arrangements.
You can find out more about Hans van Wees in the Milking the Weather newsletter.
Young and new entrant farmers can find more information on the young farmer website or on the Young Farmer Facebook page.
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Sep 10, 2021
You don't have to come from a family farm to make your dreams come true with Tamara Pabst
You don’t have to come from a family farm or inherit property to make a career in the agricultural industry.
Tamara Pabst made her suburban dreams of becoming a farmer a reality. She now owns her own farm near Lurg in North East Victoria.
In this episode find out how a city girl has ended up becoming a sheep farmer.
Find out more about the opportunities and support available for young farmers through Agriculture Victoria: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Join the Young Farmers Network community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngfarmersnetwork/
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Aug 25, 2021
Setting clear boundaries and expectations when working with family with Emma Hawker and Tristan Schilling
Early succession planning and earning off-farm income have been important for young farmers Emma and Tristan as they establish themselves and their farming business.
Building their farming enterprise up from scratch has taken hard work and a fair bit of sacrifice, however Emma and Tristan have left no stone unturned to fulfil their ambitions in agriculture.
Find out more about the opportunities and support available for young farmers through Agriculture Victoria: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Join the Young Farmers Network community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngfarmersnetwork/
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Aug 19, 2021
Everyone deserves to go home safely at night with Danyel Cucinotta
Everyone deserves to go home at night. For farmer and business owner, Danyel Cucinotta, it’s way more than a line about safety. It is the foundation to how she helps run her family’s egg farm. It’s a philosophy she’s also passionate about beyond her own farm gate.
Through the Victorian Government funded Making our Farms Safer project, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing farm safety advice and support for all Victorian farmers, visit https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/ for more information.
Kidsafe Victoria’s farm safety resources include the Farm Safety Checklist and a Parent’s Guide to Kidsafe Farms, visit https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/farm-safety-creative-competition/ for more information.
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Aug 6, 2021
Teaching farm dogs new tricks with Kelly Barnes
With a lifelong love of dogs, a passion for rural and regional Australia and a commitment to boosting the resilience and wellbeing for her community, it’s no surprise that Kelly Barnes has made her mark. She’s the recipient of the 2020 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women of the Year Award, which recognises her innovative working dog training school pilot program that sees dogs not just as a tool of the trade, but as a very important companion.
Kelly explains how her program has very personal origins and how it focusses not just on teaching farm dogs new tricks but improving the social and mental health of farmers and her community.
If you want to find out more about Kelly's 'Mates Dog School' find them of Facebook or send her an email at mates@musteringresilience.com.
For mental health and wellbeing support, contact your GP or the National Centre for Farmer Health, visit farmerhealth.org.au/
You can talk to the Lifeline team on 13 11 14. If you, or someone you know needs crisis s…
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Jul 28, 2021
Having a strong voice in your local community with Jessie Holmes
Jessie Holmes has years of experience advocating for the Yarriambiack and Buloke shire communities during her time in local government.
Jessie explains that good advocacy is being really clear about what your community needs and that you don’t need to be a CEO to be a strong advocate.
For Jessie, storytelling is a big part of advocating for Victoria’s agricultural communities.
Hear more from more inspiring rural women on the Victorian Rural Women's Network Facebook and website.
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Jul 25, 2021
Advice for aspiring rural leaders with Pru Cook
Whether it’s as a specialist communicator with government, Birchip Cropping Group, as a consultant, or during her roles on committees and boards like the VFF Grains Group and GRDC Southern Region panel. Wimmera communications specialist and Victorian Rural Women’s Network Scholarship Program alumni Pru Cook talks about being an inspiring community leader and recognises that you don’t need to know everything to take up new and challenging opportunities.
As a well respected member of the Wimmera community, Pru explains her path into leadership, how leadership is more than just the traditional roles we perceive, skills she has had to learn and how the next generation can get the most out of leadership positions.
Hear more from more inspiring rural women on the Victorian Rural Women's Network Facebook and website.
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Jul 21, 2021
Taking on the books and advocating for the dairy industry with Jess Knight
Jess Knight is a young dairy farmer from Stratford in central Gippsland. Jess tells us about her somewhat unconventional pathway into farming, and how a passion for agriculture and a can-do attitude has resulted in her transformation into a confident farm business manager and community leader.
Jess shares her experience and tips for running the business side of the farm and talks about the value of taking on new challenges – including sitting on the Young Farmers Advisory Council.
Find out more about the opportunities and support available for young farmers through Agriculture Victoria: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Join the Young Farmers Network community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngfarmersnetwork/
For more on the Young Farmers Advisory Council: agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/young-farmers/young-farmers-advisory-council
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Jul 18, 2021
Thinking of the big picture when it comes to farm safety with Sarah McLean
We met Sarah McLean a young beef farmer from Purnim, near Warrnambool in our first season. This time she’s back to talk about an incident that prompted her to think more carefully about farm safety and how their family could be doing things better – even as young farmers on a budget.
Sarah talks about how making changes to the way you work and setting yourself up to enjoy farming can be just as important for safe operating as upgrading your infrastructure and equipment.
Through the Victorian Government funded Making our Farms Safer project, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing farm safety advice and support for all Victorian farmers, visit https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/ for more information.
Kidsafe Victoria’s farm safety resources include the Farm Safety Checklist and a Parent’s Guide to Kidsafe Farms, visit https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/farm-safety-creative-competition/ for more information.
For mental health and wellbein…
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Jul 18, 2021
Introduction with Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas
In this season of the AgVic Talk podcast series will highlight personal stories of people who have overcome challenges they face every day. We will hear from rural women, young farmers, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds and agricultural communities on how they recover, grow, modernise, protect, and promote Victorian agriculture.
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May 31, 2021
Balancing location, variability and optimum capacity with Brett Findlay
Brett Findlay is a dairy farmer near Corryong, in the North-East of Victoria who manages a dairy of 400 head. Brett discusses farming in a location where you need to be prepared for variability, both between and within seasons, where it is too expensive to freight feed in, so you have to grow everything yourself. Brett touches on irrigation, the benefits of knowing your optimum capacity and the added complexities of your property split in two by river and State border.
For more Agriculture Victoria information on dealing with climate variability, you can subscribe to:
The Break and Milking the Weather.
Get in contact with your local dairy extension officer who can direct you to relevant information and advice to help you get started in understanding how your business can adapt to climate variability.
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May 31, 2021
Challenging seasons drive on-farm change with Chris Nixon
Dairy and beef farmer, Chris Nixon talks about when his reliable country in East Gippsland recently experienced a prolonged drought, which included their driest year on record. Listen to find out how he dealt with it, and the long-term changes it has brought for running the property.
For more Agriculture Victoria information on dealing with climate variability, you can subscribe to
The Break and Milking the Weather.
Get in contact with your local dairy extension officer who can direct you to relevant information and advice to help you get started in understanding how your business can adapt to climate variability.
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Nov 11, 2020
Dealing with stress during difficult times with David Cherry
To say it's been a difficult year for many farming communities is an understatement. Some have had to deal with everything from drought through to fire through to the pandemic.
Psychologist David Cherry talks about the mental and physical effects of stress and how dealing with them is important not only for your own mental health, but also for ensuring you're in the best possible position to make good decisions for yourself, your business and your loved ones.
If this podcast has brought up any difficult emotions for you, please reach out to someone you can talk to or call the Beyond Blue support service on 1300 22 46 36, MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For more information:
www.beyondblue.org.au/
www.lifeline.org.au/
mensline.org.au/
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Oct 21, 2020
Maintaining ground cover to secure sandy topsoil with Ron Hards
Imagine farming on some of the most fragile land in the State and being able to say, after the worst rainfall figures on record a mere 25% of your 250 mm average, that you harvested a viable crop from 50% of your farm seeded area.
This is the remarkable story of Ron and Nick Hards, who farm in the Millewa at Yurara in the Northwest corner of the State. The key to their success has been passionately protecting their topsoil.
For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website:
For protecting the land during dry times visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/managing-for-and-during-drought/protecting-the-land-in-dry-times
For information on managing drought visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/managing-for-and-during-drought
For information on monitoring groundcover agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/soil/erosion/monitoring-groundcover-and-soil-degradation
For more information on farming in the Mallee visit the Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) website msfp.o…
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Oct 6, 2020
Managing through dry seasons is all about preparation with Peter Young
Peter Young, second generation Gippsland farmer who produces wool, lamb and beef on their 550-hectare farm at Briagolong, some 60 kilometres west of Bairnsdale. After three tough years, there've finally been some good rains and things are looking up. Peter discusses how being prepared and accessing support systems help them contend with dry seasons and drought. For drought and dry seasonal conditions support and information, visit the Agriculture Victoria website www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons
For information on livestock feed budgeting, visit Feeding Livestock. This page includes links to the Drought Feeding and Management of Sheep and Beef books feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/
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Sep 23, 2020
Using soil moisture monitoring to help manage seasonal risk with Dale Boyd and Bec Marshall
For over a decade, a number of soil moisture probes across Victoria, have been gathering real-time soil moisture analysis, to help give farmers confidence in their decision making. To find out how it all works with Dale Boyd, Seasonal Risk Agronomist with Agriculture Victoria and Bec Marshall, a cropping farmer from Normanville in Mallee country.
For more Agriculture Victoria information on managing seasonal risk visit:
Soil moisture monitoring website https://extensionaus.com.au/soilmoisturemonitoring/
Subscribe to the soil moisture monitoring newsletter https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/soil-moisture-monitoring-in-cropping-regions
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Sep 9, 2020
Balancing wet winters and dairy farming with Craig Dwyer
Craig Dwyer is a dairy farmer at Bullaharre, which is just out of Cobden in South West Victoria. In this podcast, Craig discusses how excessively wet winters can be a real problem when juggling the needs of a dairy herd against maintaining healthy paddocks.
For more Agriculture Victoria information on dealing with climate variability, you can subscribe to:
The Break https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/the-break
Milking the Weather: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/milking-the-weather
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Sep 1, 2020
Getting a foot in the door using drones on-farm with Clay Gowers
Clay Gowers a Young Farmer from the Millewa works in his family's broadacre cropping operation. Clay tells us how Agriculture Victoria's Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion for Ag Tech – specifically using drones on-farm. Having almost completed his three training courses funded by the scholarship, his next step is to invest the second half of his funds into an Ag drone of his own.
Find out more about the Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship and other support for Young Farmers: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers
Join the Young Farmer Business Network community: facebook.com/groups/youngfarmerbusinessnetwork/
For more on Ag Tech and Digital Mapping: agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/digital-agriculture
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Aug 26, 2020
Spring pasture management of fire affected pastures with Fiona Baker
Fiona Baker, extension officer with Agriculture Victoria provides spring management tips for pastures affected by bushfires. Fiona discusses key strategies to assist recovering pastures including assessing pastures, when to think about resowing, fodder conservation, summer fodder cropping, grazing management and the importance of maintaining soil fertility.
For more fire recovery and general pasture information visit the Agriculture Victoria website agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires
For information on livestock feed budgeting, visit Feeding Livestock. This page includes links to the Drought Feeding and Management of Sheep and Beef books feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/
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Aug 20, 2020
Managing a dairy farm in a variable climate with Kevin Fitzsimmons
Kevin Fitzsimmons is a dairy farmer at Merrigum in the Northern Irrigation region. His family has farmed there for three generations, but he says since the millennium drought running profitably has never been more difficult. In this podcast, Kevin discusses how he manages climate variability on his farm. For more Agriculture Victoria information on dealing with climate variability, you can subscribe to:
The Break: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/the-break
Milking the Weather: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/milking-the-weather
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Aug 19, 2020
Turn a dream to farm into reality with Sarah McLean
Sarah McLean a young beef farmer from Purnim, near Warrnambool. Sarah tells us how the Agriculture Victoria's Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship has helped to make her dream of running a farm a reality. Sarah used the scholarship to complete the Resource Consulting Services (RCS) Grazing and Farming for Profit course and invest in farm safety by installing a new cattle crush. Sarah has been a member of the Young Farmer Advisory Council since 2017 and is the newly elected chair for 2020. Find out more about the Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship and other support for Young Farmers: vic.gov.au/youngfarmers Join the Young Farmer Business Network community: facebook.com/groups/youngfarmerbusinessnetwork/ For more on the Young Farmer Advisory Council: agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/young-farmers/young-farmers-advisory-council
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Aug 16, 2020
Introduction with Dougal Purcell
In a first for Agriculture Victoria, we bring you this AgVic Talk podcast series. Follow along as we bring you stories, information and advice from around our great state of Victoria. In our first series we will be covering contemporary problems and solutions for bushfire recovery, drought and dry seasonal conditions, weather and climate as well as hearing some fantastic inspiring stories from our young farmers. For episodes in this series, find us and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We would love to hear your feedback, so please leave a comment or rating and share this series with your friends and family.
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