The beef and sheep industries:at a glance

Beef and sheep producers manage about 40 per cent of Victoria’s rural landscape. These 17,000 farm businesses account for 31 per cent of the state’s agricultural production and generate around $2.5 billion a year. With 2.2 million cattle and 14.4 million sheep,

Victoria accounts for 18 per cent of national beef and veal production, 42 per cent of national prime lamb production and 35 per cent of national wool production. In 2009–10, Victorian red meat exports were valued at $1.53 billion and wool exports at $884 million.

Beef cattle farms are concentrated in the higher-rainfall areas of south-west and north-east Victoria and Gippsland. Sheep farming is centred in the south-west and north of the state. Mixed grain/ sheep farms are common in the Wimmera, Mallee and parts of northern Victoria.

Although there is a small beef feedlot industry in Victoria, and growing interest in lotfeeding of lambs, most beef and sheep meat is produced on pasture, with supplementary feeding as required. Victoria is a major supplier of high-quality young cattle that are finished in feedlots in NSW and Queensland. Victoria’s dairy industry also contributes to the red meat industry through the provision of cull cattle and bobby calves.

Victoria’s producers face significant challenges associated with the availability and quality of water, soil condition, declining productivity growth and invasion by weeds and pests. These challenges require effective land and resource management practices at both landscape and individual property levels.

Value of Victorian meat exports by destination

Value of Victorian meat exports by product category

(source ABS 7503DO002)

Enterprise Gross Margins (Real $/ha)

(source ABS 7503DO002)

DPI produces seasonal overviews of different sectors:

Victoria’s Beef Cattle Industry, Summer 2011  

Case Studies

Example of DPI Services to Beef and Sheep Producers

Case Study - Lamb and Kid Mortality Surveillance Project

Operating since April 2009, this project seeks to identify the cause of lamb and kid mortality and improve the productivity and profitability of livestock producers across Victoria.

In the project’s first year DPI and participating private veterinarians investigated 197 incidents and performed autopsies on 1443 lambs and kids. Almost half of the diseases identified were infectious, while another quarter of deaths related to poor nutrition. In the second year worms, weeds and flies have been some of the leading causes of death.

Early detection makes a difference

DPI project leader of the Lamb and Kid Mortality Surveillance Project, Dr John Ryan, encourages farmers to notify the department and/or local vets of deaths as soon as they happen.

Dr Ryan said diagnosing the cause of death early made the data from the project more reliable. When the project first began, he said in many cases the animals had been dead too long for the cause of death to be accurately determined.

“You can put a tentative diagnosis, but you’re really making an educated guess and not getting a proper diagnosis,” he said.

“These have decreased in number. As the project has progressed and as we’ve educated farmers in what DPI is doing and the need for quick reports, we’ve improved the reliability and accuracy of the diagnosis.

“The main point about any disease investigation is if you can work out the factors that are causing it, the majority of the time you can change these factors.

“Changing one management or food-related factor may be all that’s needed in the short-term. You stop the disease then work out how to prevent it in the future.”

Dr Ryan said it also enabled DPI to detect early any new or emerging infectious or exotic diseases that could otherwise cause significant problems down the track.

Case Study - Bestwool/Bestlamb

Delivered by industry and the DPI, the Bestwool/Bestlamb extension program recognises the mix of skills and common interests among 1700 sheep producers in locations across the state.

Members identify issues specific to their region and determine the best learning approaches to help them reach their individual business goals and achieve greater economic, environmental and social benefits from farming.

Euroa farmer ‘puts things into practice’

Euroa farmer John Kelly applies the principles and techniques he learns through the Bestwool/Bestlamb program on his own farm and a local farm-contracting business.

John farms 1000 hectares on six properties across the Euroa district – running approximately 900 sheep, 1000 lambs and 400 head of Angus cattle. He also sets aside small portions of the properties to grow fodder crops for grazing and harvesting.

“I think that, as farmers, we’re still learning and a lot of people still don’t have the answers they need to get the best out of their farms,” Mr Kelly said.

“In this district, even within 20 kilometres, there’s a huge difference between what works on a property and what doesn’t.

“Being part of a Bestwool/Bestlamb group gives you different ways of looking at things. It allows you to try things as a group and find out if they’re going to work or not, and discover the things you need to do to make them work.”

Unlike many extension groups, John says Bestwool/Bestlamb members choose the topics they wish to cover during the year – a facilitator then helps organise the meetings, bringing in guest speakers or arranging facilitated discussions, farm walks, training workshops and information sessions.

“As a group, we’re able to decide ourselves what we want to cover and the sort of information we want to receive. It means we get more targeted information than we would through a traditional extension approach,” he said.

“It’s one thing to learn or talk about it – it’s another thing to put it into practice and make it happen. Being a member of a Bestwool/Bestlamb group definitely helps to put things in practice.”

More information on Bestwool/Bestlamb

Case Study: FarmPlan21

DPI’s FarmPlan21 provides information to help farmers make the right decisions for their properties as a whole and to plan for the future.

It offers practical workshops to improve knowledge and knowhow on complex sustainable practices. Topics include improving farm productivity, soil and vegetation management, farm water supply, farm drought-proofing options and adapting to change and succession planning.

Wimmera farming family consider opportunities

The Merrett family has been farming the land around west Wimmera for the past 150 years. Six generations of the family have grown up working the land and they’re planning on being around well into the future.

The family operates a mixed farming business on 2600 hectares, split across two blocks around Dinyarrak and Telopea Downs – 240 hectares of wheat and 240 hectares of barley, canola and vetch are grown alongside 2200 first cross ewes.

While the family has always operated a successful farming business, Russell Merrett says new opportunities and threats, including climate variability and increasing international competition, have meant the business of farming is changing rapidly.

Getting involved in FarmPlan21 has helped the family question the way they do things, and as Russell puts it “to consider why we did something and not just do it because it had always been done that way”.

“FarmPlan21 encouraged us to look outside our business for new ideas – you are always keeping your ear to the ground for the next thing that might work.”

“FarmPlan21 provided us with a chance to critically analyse the business. It also provided important opportunities to share information and network with other farmers, which isn’t always easy when you’re running a busy, expanding farming operation.” Russell said.

More information on FarmPlan21

Service 1: Driving improvements in sector productivity

For more information contact:
Warren Straw (03) 9296 4626 (overall, wool),
Tim Hollier (02) 6030 4569 (beef) and
Peter Bailey (03) 5573 0718 (lamb)

Note: All DPI officers can be emailed at <firstname.surname@dpi. vic.gov.au>

Service summary

This service aims to increase the rate and scope of adoption of new technologies and practices on-farm to deliver improved long-term productivity for beef and sheep producers.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

Forages

• Research on new pasture varieties aims to develop improved disease resistance and drought tolerance as well as higher digestibility, yield and nutritive value. We will support the route-to-global-markets for the new forages by partnering and establishing commercial entities (e.g. Gramina) but will not market them directly.
• DPI also has a role in the independent development of agronomic guidelines and the practical use of new and improved pasture species within whole farming systems for livestock production.

Animal production

• In collaboration with industry and Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), DPI scientists are also applying genetic and genomic technologies to develop new selection criteria and tools to improve the performance of cattle and sheep (e.g. Australian Sheep Breeding Values). In addition to improving the accuracy of genetic selection and the speed with which progress can be made, this research is expanding the number of commercially important traits that can be included in a genetic improvement program (e.g. feed conversion efficiency, meat tenderness and eating quality, and parasite and disease resistance). The genetic research is complemented by development of management options for increasing muscling and disease control.
• Targeted research on efficient lamb production practices will increase total outputs relative to inputs via improved reproduction and survival rates, a continual increase in carcass weight to specification and forage combinations matched to land class and livestock demand via EverGraze research sites.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

Training courses and seminars

• Training workshops and seminars for producers, delivered in partnership with industry, training organisations and CRCs. These workshops are mostly delivered under DPI’s industry network programs, Bestwool/Bestlamb, BetterBeef and EverGraze and are provided on a fee-for-service basis. Examples include:
  • BeefCheque helps beef producers develop knowledge of the pasture and animal production system. The course aims to improve grazing management and is delivered in partnership with MLA and Rural Industries Skill Training.
  • Effective breeding workshops help producers to develop breeding plans, breeding strategies and select breeders based on genetic merit to improve overall performance.
  • Wean More Lambs and Money Making Mums workshops aim to improve reproductive performance through better management to increase turn-off rates.
  • Healthy Grazing Pastures courses provide information on optimising fertiliser application and nutrient availability to pastures.
  • EverGraze workshops - Whole Farm Grazing Strategies and Pastures for Place and Purpose workshops provide participants with the ability to apply EverGraze grazing systems principles and research findings to their farm situation.
  • The Lifetime Ewe Management training program, derived from research by DPI and partners. This two-year competency-based training course is designed to help sheep enterprises manage ewes for increased productivity and profitability through improved monitoring of ewe condition, allocation of feed resources and optimal nutrition strategies.
  • High Performance Weaner Management being developed through the Sheep CRC and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will help producers achieve better outcomes from their sheep enterprise.

Information notes

• DPI information notes (Appendix 1) provide further information on technologies and practices to improve on-farm productivity.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

Producer group networks

• DPI maintains the infrastructure, provides some services and directly builds the capability of service providers through the producer group networks Bestwool/Bestlamb, BetterBeef and EverGraze.
• The Bestwool/Bestlamb network <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/bwbl> involves 1700 producers, the EverGraze network <www. evergraze.com.au> 1550 Victorian producers and BetterBeef more than 1000 participating producers to date.

Other information on more productive practices

• In collaboration with industry and CRC partners, DPI delivers information including research results, fact sheets and decision support tools via websites for projects such as EverGraze <www.EverGraze.com.au> and Lifetimewool <www.lifetimewool.com.au>, as well as through CRC websites (e.g. <www.sheepcrc.org.au> and <www.futurefarmcrc.com.au>).
• DPI partners with the Beef CRC, Sheep CRC and Future Farm Industries CRC to promote awareness and adoption of research outcomes and new technologies.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

Training opportunities

• A range of training opportunities are offered by private sector partners, such as Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) and Go TAFE, which help beef and sheep producers to improve skills and knowledge <www.rist.com.au>.

Internet resources

Victorian Resources Online provides a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps <www.dpi.vic.gov. au/vro>.

Other service providers

• These providers will continue to support industry adoption of new technologies and management practices through:
  1. technical advice on pasture nutrition and variety selection and pasture persistence
  2. communication and use of breeding values for existing traits and for new traits of economic significance, as demonstrated by Sheep Genetics Australia <www.sheepgenetics.org.au> and the Australian Business Research Institute (ABRI) <abri.une.edu.au>.
  3. breed choice for local farming conditions and market segments and selection of forages and feeding strategies (industry advisers).
• The Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants <www.aiast.com.au> and the Australian Veterinary Association <www.ava.com.au> maintain registers of private service providers.

Service 2: Supporting intensive cattle and sheep production

For more information contact: Greg Ferrier (02) 6030 4609

Service summary

This service provides farmers and service providers with access to information, tools and processes for the sustainable development of intensive finishing systems for beef and sheep meat. Development of intensive animal production systems requires appropriate whole farm and statutory planning, and sustainable environmental and animal welfare practices.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

• DPI research is focused on achieving improved feed conversion efficiency in lambs and the identification of lamb genetics with the potential to achieve these efficiencies in intensive lamb finishing systems.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

• Information about the planning, location and design of feedlots to minimise risk from off-site environmental impacts.
• Workshops to assist industry, local government and the community on how to use codes of practice and guidelines for intensive finishing systems and feedlots.
• Development and dissemination of new knowledge and improved management practices to underpin high standards of animal welfare, environmental management and product quality in intensive Victorian beef and sheep production systems.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• Coordination of the Victorian Feedlot Committee to support the sustainable development of cattle feedlots. Tools are being developed to enable sustainable development of intensive sheep finishing systems in Victoria that align to national guidelines.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• Industry consultants and relevant local government authorities responsible for planning in that locality.
• Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA) website <www. feedlots.com.au>.
• Meat and Livestock Australia’s draft guidelines for sheep intensive feeding systems <www.mla.com.au>.
• Further information on Victoria’s Code for Cattle Feedlots <www.dpi.vic.gov.au> and search for Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots.
• <www.productivenutrition.com.au>

Service 3: Supporting beef and sheep farm business management

For more information contact:

Jonathon Tocker (03) 5336 6633 (farm business economics) and
Kellyanne Semple (03) 5430 4302 (agricultural community services)

Service summary

This service provides industry and farmers with access to accurate and timely productivity and financial benchmarking information and decision-making tools.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

• DPI is examining the effects of strategic changes to the farming system and their economic impact. Changes targeted include the feedbase and pasture agronomy, grazing management and use, and livestock systems including weaner survival and performance.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

Enterprise data

• The Livestock Farm Monitor Project provides DPI and industry with timely whole farm and enterprise production and profitability data for mixed farming (wool sheep, prime lamb, beef, cropping) businesses in the three main livestock regions of Victoria including south west, north-north east and Gippsland. Data collection for the project is undertaken by collaborating with private sector consultants and includes whole farm business measurements (e.g. return on assets and stocking rate) and those of a specific nature (e.g. gross margins and production per ha). Reports are available from the DPI website and from the Customer Service Centre (131 186).
• The national EverGraze project focuses on the production, economic, risk and natural resource management impacts of pasture and livestock management decisions. The website <www.evergraze.com.au> provides fact sheets, case studies and research outcomes, as well as a ‘pasture improvement calculator’ to help producers calculate the cost, return on investment and payback period of pasture and grazing system changes at the paddock scale. Two training programs are available to assist farmers develop plans for whole-of-farm pasture and grazing system changes.

Producer networks

• BetterBeef and Bestwool/Bestlamb give producers access to industry research and best-practice management information though structured producer groups, accredited training activities, conferences, field days, phone seminars and electronic mediums. They are also used to deliver Meat and Livestock Australia’s flagship extension programs, More Beef from Pastures and Making More from Sheep in Victoria.
• The AgFutures project works directly with communities to help them make informed decisions about their future and to adjust to change. The project works with beef and sheep communities in targeted areas on issues of the shift from wool to meat production, sustainability in grazing practices, small farm size and limited access to irrigation allocations.
• FarmPlan21 is a whole-farm planning program that helps farmers make decisions across the farming system. It assists farmers to plan and prepare for present and future challenges such as climate variability, biosecurity threats, emergency management and variable market conditions. Further information can be found at <www.dpi.vic.gov.au> and search for FarmPlan21.
• DPI partners with the Western District Health Services and local health agencies to deliver the Sustainable Farm Families program to farmer groups across Victoria. This program aims to improve farmer health, wellbeing and safety through the provision of annual workshops over three years, which provide advice, information and free health checks. Further information can be found at <www.sustainablefarmfamilies.org.au>.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

Financial counsellors

• The Rural Financial Counselling (RFC) service helps producers make decisions about their future role in farming and their business viability <www.daff.gov.au search for RFCs. DPI is a significant investor in the RFC service.

Workshops

• Information on the economic performance of new farming systems and the benefits of adopting research findings is delivered as part of seminars, workshops, courses and training programs.
• BetterBeef and Bestwool/Bestlamb provides up-skilling and wholesale information to service providers in a range of disciplines including business strategy and financial analysis, pasture management, livestock management and marketing.
• Practical Beef Marketing courses build participants’ knowledge and skills in livestock marketing so they make more informed decisions on how to meet market specification.
• Beef Profit Partnerships programs enable producers to more closely analyse their businesses and better distinguish profit drivers in individual enterprises.
• Cost-of-production workshops for beef and sheep businesses in partnership with MLA and private sector providers.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

Other service providers will continue to support producers to manage their businesses, through provision of profit-optimising, business planning and risk management and marketing advice.

• The Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants <www.aiast.com.au> and the Australian Veterinary Association <www.ava.com.au> maintain registers of private service providers.

Service 4: Supporting efficient beef and sheep value chains

For more information contact:
Clare Balmer (03) 5336 6632 (overall)
Tim Hollier (02) 6030 4569 (beef) and
Peter Bailey (03) 5573 0718 (lamb)

Service summary

This service gives farmers and service providers access to information to meet market specifications more accurately and consistently. DPI engages with Australian and international agencies and with industry to ensure that Victoria maintains and improves access to priority export markets, as well as working with industry to increase the efficiencies of value chains leading to increased customer satisfaction.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

• Strategic market research provides targeted information about emerging international market trends and requirements.
• In collaboration with industry and through the Sheep CRC, DPI undertakes research into the consistency and quality impacts of production techniques and effects on the value chain, including implications for consumers.
• DPI is undertaking research focused on improving lamb quality and composition by better understanding the relationships between on-farm feeding systems and livestock management, combined with preslaughter curfew and lairage, stunning and post-slaughter temperature, pH, hanging and packing management.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

Demonstration projects and industry collaborations

• Partnering with industry to facilitate through-chain demonstration projects and analyses relating to value-chain efficiency (productivity) and traceability.
• Information on the on-farm and industry benefits of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS), including the use of demonstration sites for producers to view some of the benefits of using radio frequency identification in their flocks and herds.
• In partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia and DPINSW we are piloting a carcass feedback system for beef and sheep called Livestock Data Link. This system uses NLIS as an underpinning technology to deliver compliance data and enables producers to benchmark performance in meeting target specifications.
• DPI is working with industry to implement production systems to meet specifications for Meat Standards Australia graded pasture finished beef and lamb.

Market access

• Identification and facilitation of targeted inward and outward industry delegations, often delivered in partnership with the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI).
  
  
• Market reporting services focused on key trends in priority emerging markets, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
• DPI works closely with the Australian Government and industry to support the identification and resolution of priority market access impediments, including those that affect the livestock industry.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• Information on how processor/producer feedback systems can improve communication in value chains and therefore give producers the opportunity to better target products to market requirements.
• We are working with the livestock marketing sector to understand and use carcass data feedback systems for benchmarking performance against processor grids and systems to help producers meet specifications.
• Results are shared from a lifecycle analysis of a lamb value chain aimed at better understanding the environmental and greenhouse gas footprint from farm to consumer (Victorian module of a national demonstration project).

DPI refers farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• The Meat and Livestock Australia website for information on Australia’s red meat and livestock industries <www.mla.com. au>.
• Further information on the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) <www.mla.com.au/Meat-safety-andtraceability/Livestock-identification>.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for information about trade and market access arrangements <www.dfat.gov.au>.
• Further information on investment and trade in Agriculture <www.dpi.vic.gov.au\agribusiness>.

Service 5: Information for amenity and lifestyle beef and sheep farmers

For more information contact: David Stewart (03) 9785 0173

Service summary

This service informs new and small landholders of their land management options and biosecurity responsibilities. It helps them improve their decision making and risk management abilities, particularly in regard to biosecurity and productive use of farming land.

The turnover in small farm ownership in Victoria’s peri-urban areas is about 14 per cent a year. This equates to about 5500 properties, the majority of which practice beef production and to a lesser extent sheep. New small landholders can bring energy, skills and investment capacity to declining rural communities. However, poor decisions or unrealistic expectations may lead to frustration, failed enterprises, biosecurity risks and potential conflicts with neighbouring farmers.

The DPI Small Landholder Information Service provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

Short courses and workshops

• DPI convenes the New Landholders Farm Basics short courses and delivers them across the state. Themes include biosecurity risk management, animal welfare, farm safety, farm decision making including sustainable land management, pastures, safety (fire, farm and chemical), and natural resource management training. Workshops and seminars are also designed to help small landholders during emergency response and recovery activities.

Other communication activities

• Regular e-newsletters on topical information and a telephone information service through the DPI Support and Information for New Landholders Officer.
• The DPI website for new landholders has factsheets, links and references for small landholders <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/smalllandholders>.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• DPI delivers targeted workshops, forums and meetings to other government agencies and commercial service providers that work with small landholders. This helps to strengthen partnerships with local governments, Landcare, Melbourne Water, Catchment Management Authorities and businesses such as farm produce chains, veterinarians and real estate agents. An example of this is working with farm produce store chains to deliver point-of-sale material to new landholders.
• Training and information sessions to local government and private service providers to expand DPI’s capacity to engage new landholders and deliver services to them.
• As required, practical webinars are delivered to DPI staff, other agencies and partners (e.g. on natural disaster management or biosecurity situations) to improve understanding and awareness of key issues and risks.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• New landholders completing the Farm Basics course are signposted to other providers (e.g. their local council for information on planning and land management). Landholders will also be encouraged to consider other relevant training courses such as FarmPlan21 and AusChem.
• Products and services offered by TAFEs, Landcare groups, CMAs and Victorian Farmer Federation branches.
• The Farm Magazine insert in the Weekly Times, published monthly.
• Victorian Resources Online provides a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps <www.dpi.vic.gov. au/vro>.

Service 6: Supporting the uptake of sustainable farming practices and adaptation to climate variability

For more information contact:
Martin Dunstan (03) 5561 9903 (climate services) and
Greg Turner (03) 5147 0866 (sustainable practices)

Service summary

This service provides information to help sheep and beef producers manage climate variability, and to minimise on-farm and off-site environmental impacts such as soil erosion, dryland salinity, nutrient runoff and reduced water availability.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

• Climate variability and seasonal risk impacts on farm businesses are being investigated. Outcomes from this research are being used to inform the industry about climate change scenarios and their likely effects on pasture-growing seasonal windows, animal health and enterprise risks. Research is being undertaken to develop new catchment scale models that will enable the estimation of surface flow, recharge and nutrients from farming systems. There is also work on climate mitigation from livestock systems.
• DPI is a contributor to national soil carbon research efforts quantifying the amount and type of soil carbon, increasing the understanding of the effects of soil type, climate and management on soil carbon, and investigating the spatial variability of soil carbon at the paddock and catchment scale. This information will be important to support future policies associated with carbon sequestration.
• Research aimed at enhancing the capability of lamb producers to anticipate and respond to change, specifically variable seasons, drying climates and the management of greenhouse gas emissions. It will focus on developing flexible lamb production systems through greater use of perennial pastures better matched to land type and climate. Research is also providing the lamb industry with options for the management of extreme weather events. DPI is improving the underpinning data and information on soil types to further support whole farm planning as well as improving the land use maps for Victoria to support modelling, planning and emergency response.
• Forage adaption strategies for a warmer and drier environment are being researched through the development of forage crop options. This includes exploring the risks and management strategies required for multiple cropping rotations and how this approach can fit into current and future farming systems.
• Effective natural resource use and management by the lamb industry through developing new management practices that reduce recharge, soil erosion and nutrient loss. Also underway is work on sustainable grazing practices for native pastures to maintain species diversity.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

On-ground works

• Technical advice and, where available, incentives for targeted implementation of on-ground environmental works (e.g. native vegetation and perennial pasture establishment) to reduce the threat of dryland salinity and nutrient contamination of high-value public assets such as waterways.
• Supporting farmers in managing their land to prevent soil loss through wind and water erosion and other soil degradation processes by:
  • providing advice on farm-management practices that prevent or reduce soil loss.
  • where available, providing farmers with incentives to protect and restore eroded gullies.
• Incentives are available for targeted on-ground works, with priorities determined by CMA, Victorian Flagship Areas, Our Water Our Future, and the Australian Government’s Caring For Our Country initiative.

Planning information

• Supporting farmers to access emerging EcoMarkets for the environmental benefits that their land and activities provide to the broader community (ecosystems services) for example, the establishment of trees to reduce dryland salinity or to store carbon.
• Helping farmers reduce the risk of running out of water by providing information on cost-effective approaches for on-farm water management storage and efficient reticulation.
• FarmPlan21, a farm-planning program helping farmers make informed decisions across the farming system.

Climate variability adaptation strategies

• Providing climate information and training courses, such as how to plan for the risks and opportunities associated with Victoria’s shifting weather patterns. This includes activities that will improve understanding of:
  • the key drivers of seasonal variability within each grazing region
  • the various tools and strategies to respond to our changing weather patterns
  • the response pathways available for farm businesses that consider incremental as well as larger transformational change opportunities.
• Providing carbon and emissions information and training sessions including the latest research outlining the most effective and efficient methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on-farm. This includes activities that will improve understanding of:
  • interpretation of carbon accounting tools and greenhouse gas emissions on-farm
  • policy developments and how best to respond to emerging carbon market opportunities
  • five key action areas for on-farm activities (energy, trees, soils, nitrogen and methane) in relation to productivity, saving money and total farm emissions performance.
• The adaptive forage planning project is helping industry understand the seasonal challenges of climate variability with a particular focus on farm forage systems. Electronic updates and news articles discuss climate and market signals to support feed production and procurement decisions. The project also manages on-farm forage demonstration sites and delivers fodder management activities to farmers and service providers to demonstrate the suitability and performance of various forage options.

Drought and flood recovery programs when relevant to help producers recover from the impacts of these natural disaster situations and to minimise the environmental impacts.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• Information and strategies compiled by the recently completed Sustainable Grazing on Saline Land (SGSL) producer network project through the Saltland Genie website <www. saltlandgenie.org.au>. This information from research and demonstration sites will be provided to farm advisers.

Climate variability adaptation strategies

• Drought response workshops (when relevant) for producers and service providers.
• Flood recovery information and workshops (when relevant) for producers and service providers.
• Information on farming systems resilient to climate variability and options for management of greenhouse gas emissions (including methane mitigation and the potential for carbon sequestration).
• Support and training for service providers keen to improve their knowledge and use of key industry emission tools through the Carbon Toolkits in Agriculture network and DPI Webinar series.
• Updates on changes to government policy and implications for their clients.
• Focusing on farm forage systems to manage the seasonal challenges of climate variability, the adaptive forage planning project gives service providers access to information on the suitability and performance of various forage options. Electronic updates and news articles also help inform industry about climate and market signals to support feed production and procurement decisions.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), CMAs, Greening Australia and Trust for Nature for access to market-based instruments and incentives, such as BushTender, CatchmentTender, Land Stewardship payments and vegetation covenants.
• For more information on the availability of EcoTender programs and advice on biodiversity extent and quality assessments in preparation for EcoMarket programs, phone DSE on 136 186 or go to their website <www.dse.vic.gov.au>.
• Private agronomists, who can provide advice on pasture management techniques such as rotational grazing to enhance perennial pasture persistence, maintain ground cover, improve water use and fertiliser application to reduce nutrient loss, prevent soil acidification and manage water quality.
• Victorian Resources Online - a key repository for DPI information about Victoria’s natural resources, with a major focus on soils including soil health, soil checklist and soil management plan resources <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro/soil>.
• The DPI climate website, which provides information, tools and resources to support climate change risk management <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/climaterisk>.
• The Bureau of Meteorology, which provides programs and support tools suitable for farmers such as ‘Forecast Explorer’ <www.bom.gov.au/vic>.

Service 7: Animal welfare research, advice and regulation

For more information contact: Tony Britt (03) 5430 4512

Service summary

This service helps beef and sheep producers understand and respond to current and emerging market requirements for animal welfare to maintain market access for our products.

Victoria’s livestock industries rely heavily on international market access, with many markets increasing their requirements for animal welfare standards. Agreements have been made under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy to implement nationally consistent standards for animal welfare, underpinned by legislation.

DPI’s animal welfare research, advice and regulation services help industry to understand and respond to emerging market requirements. We do this by:

• Participating in the development and implementation of state and national policies and standards for animal welfare.
• Framing and enforcing relevant legislation, including legislative underpinning of the National Animal Welfare Standards by the Livestock Management Act 2010.
• As technologies become available, demonstrating non-surgical alternatives to sheep mulesing or cattle dehorning, castration and spaying that improve animal welfare outcomes.
• Providing information and educational materials related to livestock welfare.
• Using research outcomes to reduce lamb and weaner mortality through improved guidelines or training programs.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

• DPI, in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Ohio State University (US), operates the Animal Welfare Science Centre. It provides the animal industries, animal users, farming communities, government and the academic and general community with internationally recognised research, training and teaching resources in animal welfare science.
• DPI is a participant in the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC). Its role is to facilitate transformation of the sheep industry by making sheep easier to manage, developing the production and processing of meat and wool to meet increasing consumer expectations, and increasing the uptake of new technologies.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

• Methodologies and information on the assessment of livestock welfare (undertaken in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Science Centre).
• Provision of guidelines, standards, codes of practice and regulation under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
• Tools for assessing and improving livestock welfare standards within a whole-farm context.
• Investigating complaints of animal cruelty and response to accidents and emergencies involving livestock.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

DPI cooperates with industry in the development of quality assurance programs and other compliance arrangements aimed at meeting the animal welfare standards set out in the Livestock Management Act 2010.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• Victorian codes of practice for animal welfare can be accessed at <www.dpi.vic.gov.au> and search for codes of practice. These codes include:
  • Cattle (Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of cattle)
  • Rodeos (Code of practice for the welfare of rodeo and rodeo school livestock)
  • Saleyards (Code of practice for the welfare of animals at saleyards)
  • Sheep (Code of accepted farming practice for the welfare of sheep (revision 2))
  • Tethering Animals (Code of practice for the tethering of animals)
  • Transportation (see horses, pigs, poultry for specific codes) Code of practice for the welfare of animals during transportation
  • Traps (Code of practice for the use of small steel-jawed traps)
• Meat and Livestock Australia has a number of animal welfare products available at <www.mla.com.au/livestock-production/animal-health-welfare-and-biosecurity>:
  • Transport guide – ‘is it fit to load?’
  • Feedlot heat stress
  • Heat load
  • Live export heat stress
  • A guide to best practice husbandry in beef cattle.
• Australian Wool Innovation has a number of fact sheets available at <www.wool.com/Grow_Animal-Health.htm>.

Service 8: Supporting sector capacity to prepare for and respond to biosecurity threats

For more information contact: Tony Britt (03) 5430 4512

Service summary

The Victorian red meat industry is highly export focused. Minimising pest, disease and food safety threats are critical to maintain global competitiveness and market access. DPI is working to create an environment where Victorian livestock products are, based on their reputation for superior quality and biosafety, products of choice in national and international markets.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

• The Victorian Disease Surveillance Initiative delivers:
  • knackery surveillance capturing information about disease causing wastage in cattle
  • sentinel flock monitoring a group of prime lamb and wool flocks and meat and fibre goat herds for disease and production threats
  • early detection of emerging and exotic diseases in sheep and goats capturing information from abattoirs and saleyards
  • lamb and kid mortality surveillance, improving the understanding of early mortality while monitoring for risks.

The information from these projects feeds into a disease surveillance system aimed at understanding the disease profile of Victoria’s livestock industries. This enables the rapid detection of disease threats and builds the skills and capability of DPI staff and industry to manage threats.

• Emergency animal disease preparedness aimed at providing Victoria with the necessary processes, tools and skilled people to respond to disease incursions using the Ausvetplan model. DPI staff participate in the national framework to develop response capabilities. We maintain and continually develop surveillance and response tools, and cooperate with industry groups to raise awareness and preparedness.
• Product integrity programs delivered in partnership with industry and the Australian Government designed to protect the reputation of Victoria’s livestock industries:
  • National TSE Freedom Assurance Program providing evidence of Australia’s freedom from mad cow disease and scrapie in sheep.
  • National Antibacterial Residue Minimisation (NARM) and National Organochlorine Residue Management (NORM) programs ensuring meat products are not contaminated with antibiotics or organochlorines.
  • National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) which is Australia’s system for identifying and tracking ruminant livestock for food safety, disease control and market access purposes. It enables cattle to be reliably tracked from their property of birth to slaughter, helping to protect the reputation of Australia’s livestock industries.
• DPI Information Notes on sheep and cattle health management (Appendix 1).

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• Training to increase awareness of on-farm biosecurity management options and improved individual animal traceability through the supply chain for biosecurity purposes.
• Support for the design of industry quality assurance programs to effectively audit livestock properties in-line with the Livestock Management Act 2010.
• Johne’s disease programs including management of the Johne’s disease market assurance and calf assurance programs implemented by rural veterinary practitioners.
• Services provided by Primesafe for regulating the safety of meat, poultry, seafood, pet meat and pet food in Victoria <www.primesafe.vic.gov.au>.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• Animal Health Australia, the lead national coordinating body for animal health, for information about national animal health policies and programs <www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au>.

Service 9: Improving soil management for beef and sheep produces

For more information contact:
Declan McDonald (03) 5226 4660 (soils information) and
Greg Turner (03) 5147 0866 (sustainable practices)

Service summary

This service provides information to help beef and sheep producers protect and improve the health and productivity of their soils.

DPI research underway that contributes to the delivery of this service:

• Providing new information on soil carbon sequestration, through the investigation of current carbon levels and variability in Victorian soils, the ability to sequester and store carbon in livestock production systems and soils, and the relationships between soil carbon and soil health.
• Research into improving soil water and nutrient use efficiency in pasture-based grazing systems
• Improving the underpinning data and information on Victorian soil types to further support whole farm planning and modelling.
• Monitoring the condition of Victoria’s soils and better understanding the relationships between soil health and farming systems.
• Determining the contribution of soil biological function to nutrient cycling, soil structure and chemical conditions.

DPI will provide the following services directly to farmers (retail):

Capacity building

• Access to tailored information on maximising the health of specific soils through the Healthy Soils Project, which delivers training to farmer groups and service providers. Key components are soil biology, organic matter, soil type, soil structure, nutrients, pH, erosion and soil testing. Training modules and fact sheets are available on the Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website, together with a wide range of maps and associated information on soils and their management <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro/soil>. The Healthy Soils project also runs in-the-field training using soil pits and a range of soil health monitoring sites.
• DPI officers will advise on soil health best-management practices via group discussions, farm visits, farm planning courses, workshops and field days.
• Support for farmers to improve the productive potential of their soils through improved carbon capture, soil structure, optimising pH, and prevention of soil loss by:
  • advising on farm management practices that maintain and improve soil structure, optimise soil chemical conditions and prevent and reduce soil degradation
  • where available, giving farmers incentives to protect and restore eroded gullies
  • spatial modelling of landscapes to identify and prioritise areas that are most at risk from soil erosion.
• Development of case studies showing economic evidence of the private benefits of managing soil threats. This information will be used to encourage farmers to adopt practices to address threats on their land (because it demonstrates the value to their farm business).
• Development and distribution of fact sheets outlining farmers’ land and water legal responsibilities under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 to improve the accessibility of this information. DPI officers will also inform farmers directly of their legal responsibility for managing soils (as outlined by the Act) as part of delivering other land and water services.

Strategic planning

Mapping and modelling salinity, erosion and other soil-based threats to help local government and CMAs understand the spatial distribution of soil-based threats so that they can be targeted and managed effectively.

Land stewardship

• Delivering FarmPlan21 to help farmers make informed decisions across their farming system, assisting them to plan and manage their natural resources.
• Promoting environmental best-management practices and other self-assessment/action plan tools. Facilitating workshops and field days to highlight best practice demonstrations and managing natural resource issues within the farming system.

On-ground works

• Provision of incentives for targeted implementation of on-ground environmental works (where available) that reduce the threat of dryland salinity, erosion and soil degradation to priority assets. This includes actions for recharge and discharge management and treating land for soil loss through wind and water erosion and other soil degradation processes.
• Design and supervision of erosion remedial works with technical expertise from private providers if required.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• Publications of research findings on soil health under pasture and crop management regimes. Many of these publications are available from the DPI Customer Service Centre (phone 136 186).
• Victorian Resources Online is a major web repository for DPI information about soils including soil health, soil checklist and soil management plan resources. The website also provides maps and information about the nature and distribution of Victoria’s soils <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro/soil>.
• DPI Information Notes (see Appendix 1).
• Other private and Landcare deliverers with the capacity to provide decision support and information about farming system elements, such as through the DPI-packaged FarmPlan21 modules.

Service 10: Farm planning and water management for beef and sheep producers

For more information contact: Jenny Wilson (03) 5833 5248

Service summary

This service provides decision support to beef and sheep producers to help them understand the impact of current and future change on their farm. This includes business and personal decisions, demonstrating environmental credentials and undertaking practice change while considering the impacts of this change on other elements of their farming system.

DPI research underway that contributes to this service:

• Effective natural resource use and management through the development of new management practices that reduce recharge, soil erosion and nutrient loss and the development of sustainable grazing practices for native pastures to maintain species diversity. Research is also developing and refining models to assist policy, industry and land managers make informed decisions on catchment planning and investment priorities. Research in spatial information sciences and data, information and knowledge management is creating new ways of sharing information at the farm scale.
• Developing and refining models to assist policy, industry and land managers make informed decisions on catchment planning and investment priorities.

DPI will provide the following services directly to farmers (retail)

Farm planning

• FarmPlan21, to help farmers make informed decisions across the farming system by assisting them to plan and prepare for challenges such as prolonged drought, climate variability, biosecurity threats, emergency management and variable market conditions and to manage their natural resource base.
• Publications including news items, farm case study stories, flow chart diagrams, DPI information notes, training and field days.
• Technical advice and, where available, incentives for targeted implementation of on-ground environmental works to reduce the threat of dryland salinity and nutrient contamination of high-value public assets such as waterways.

Water planning

• Helping farmers to reduce the risk of running out of water by providing information on cost-effective approaches for on-farm water management and efficient reticulation.

DPI will provide the following R, D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

Workshops and training

• Using various decision support tools, improve service providers’ capability to understand and effectively deliver services.
• Accredited training in farm water planning to build service providers’ ability to develop farm water plans.
• Targeted workshops for producers and advisers through network programs such as Bestwool/Bestlamb, BetterBeef and EverGraze.

Information resources

• Information and strategies compiled by the recently completed

Sustainable Grazing on Saline Land (SGSL) producer network project through the Saltland Genie website <www.saltlandgenie.org.au>. This information from research and demonstration sites will be provided to farm advisers.

• DPI webpage Farm Water Solutions, developed for service providers to access, which includes an online farm water calculator tool.
• Publications including news items, farm case study stories, DPI Information Notes and workbooks available on the web.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• The Our Water Our Future website <www.ourwater.vic.gov. au>, managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), provides comprehensive information on water management and planning in Victoria.
• DSE, CMAs, Greening Australia and Trust for Nature for access to market-based instruments and incentives, such as BushTender, CatchmentTender, Land Stewardship payments and vegetation covenants.
• Relevant water agencies and authorities including DSE, Southern Rural Water and Goulburn-Murray Water for enquiries in relation to licensing, dam construction, policy, surface and groundwater levels and Sustainable Water Strategies.
• Private agronomists, who can provide advice on pasture management techniques such as rotational grazing to enhance perennial pasture persistence, maintain ground cover, improve water use and fertiliser application to reduce nutrient loss, prevent soil acidification and manage water quality.
• DPI Farm Water Solutions webpage.
• Victorian Resources Online provides a wide range of information about Victoria’s natural resources, with a major focus on soils <www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro>.
• CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology websites for insights into the effects of climate change on rainfall, stream flow and water capture potential.
• Other workbooks and resources we have developed and have in printed form (i.e. not on our website).
• CMAs for enquiries about works on waterways, on-farm drainage, programs that help fund fencing out of waterways and off-stream water points.
• Local government for enquiries relating to broader planning issues.
• Commercial suppliers including plumbing suppliers, agricultural engineers, equipment specialists, drilling and earthmoving contractors for specialist advice.
• Training providers and universities for relevant accredited programs and short courses.
• Landcare and other similar networks for riparian management.

Service 11: Minimising the threat of introduction and spread of invasive plants and animals

For more information contact: John Balfour (03) 9217 4341

Service summary

This service focuses on protecting land from invasive species. Specifically:

• providing information to producers about good practice and management options
• compliance, where required, to ensure that producers adhere to their Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 obligations
• surveillance to identify and eradicate any prohibited invasive plant or animal threats.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

• Advice to landholders on weed management and their legislative responsibilities.
• DPI Information Notes on invasive plant and animal management (see Appendix 1).

Weeds

• On ground activities to eradicate State Prohibited Weeds – focused on the treatment of known infestations and prevention of new infestations.
• Compliance services to support community action to control priority weeds and pest animals based on catchment management authority (CMA) priorities. Examples of this work include the serrated tussock and rabbit management programs that operate in areas requiring protection of key assets.

Invasive and pest animals

• High Risk Invasive Animals – focused on prevention and early intervention to ensure the best chance of eradication occurs for new species; for example, red-eared slider turtle and Asian black spined toad.
• Issuing of permits to keep declared pest animals (e.g. buffalo).
• Wild dog control in north-east and east Gippsland in conjunction with wild dog management groups. This includes a focus on investigating new options and appropriate codes of practice/standard operating procedures for improved control of wild dogs in Victoria.
• Fox and wild dog bounty as a component of an integrated management program for these invasive animal species.
• Governance of the regulatory framework and system for the manufacture and supply of 1080 pest animal bait products.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• Community partnership programs achieving enhanced voluntary compliance by private land managers in invasive plant and animal management, for example:
  • Glenelg Hopkins rabbit control project with the Catchment Management Authority, local shire and private landholders to improve rabbit control in areas requiring protection of key assets
  • fox control projects in southern (East Gippsland) and Glenelg Ark areas with public and private landholders to control fox impacts on native fauna.
• Statewide containment of established invasive plants. The focus is on regionally prohibited and controlled weeds that are managed through containment and regional eradication strategies by treating satellite infestations, establishment/ maintenance of containment lines around core infestations and mitigating pathways of spread.
• Weed Warrior program – whereby schools and communities extend the use of biocontrol to reduce the impact of established weeds – focused on gorse and bridal creeper and in 2011 will extend to boneseed and cape broom with the expectation English broom will be incorporated in subsequent years.
• An improved approach to managing established invasive plants focusing on asset protection through CMAs and programs such as FarmPlan21. An example of this work includes the Weed Spotters Program which involves community volunteers trained to identify high-risk emerging invasive plants.

Community and industry programs

• Joint industry and government partnership programs achieving enhanced voluntary engagement in invasive plant and animal management including:
  • engaging the fodder, civil earthmoving, landscape industry, aquatic plant trade and agricultural seed industry in reducing the spread of weeds through developing best practice guides and training
  • Weed Alert program – focused on the landscape and garden industry to improve weed management in the urban and lifestyle environments because these have been identified major sources of weed introductions. It was through this program that the initial occurrence of Mexican feather grass was identified.
  • building the capacity of local government pest response to improve roadside weed and rabbit management and therefore reduced spread of pests into adjoining public and private land – focused on regionally prohibited weeds, priority regionally controlled weeds and established pest animals within over 40 municipalities with VicTrack, Vic Roads, easement managers and the quarry industry focusing on reducing pathways of spread.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

Pest animal bait information

• Victoria’s 1080 pest animal bait website <www.dpi.vic.gov.au> and search for 1080, which provides information on:
  • Victoria’s commercial 1080 pest animal bait system and training requirements
  • where authorised 1080 bait users can obtain registered products
  • ‘frequently asked questions’ developed for bait users, retailers, manufacturers and commercial operator licence holders
  • directions for the use of 1080 pest animal bait products in Victoria, Victorian Code of Practice for the Preparation of Perishable 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products, as well as Risk Assessment, Bait User Declaration and Neighbour Notification forms
  • pest animal information notes.

Other useful information

• Department of Sustainability and Environment <www.dse. vic.gov.au> for information and advice on conducting control works which may affect native vegetation.
• CMAs for information on permits required for conducting control works on invasive plants along waterways and guidance on best-management practices.
• Landcare or ‘friends’ groups for providing help and support in conducting control works on invasive species.
• The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) as the responsible authority for the assessment and registration of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Australia for information on chemical registration status <www.apvma.gov.au>.

The Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium for identification of potential weeds <www.rbg.vic.gov.au>.

Service 12: Support to beef and sheep producers to prepare for, and recover from, natural disaster emergencies

For more information contact: Banjo Patterson (03) 5573 0730

Service summary

This service provides support to beef and sheep producers to prepare for and recover from natural disaster emergencies.

Victoria’s livestock industries are often faced with challenges arising from emergencies such as fire, flood, storm, locust and mice plagues. DPI has a lead role in helping rural landholders and communities recover from agricultural emergencies. Immediate relief of animal suffering, identification of rural landholders’ needs and assistance in recovery are the main priorities.

DPI provides the following services directly to farmers (retail):

DPI information and field response

• Information to enable producers to prepare for and reduce the impact of emergencies on their businesses <www.dpi.vic.gov. au>.
• Swift response to animal welfare incidents associated with emergencies affecting beef and sheep enterprises.
• Assessments of loss and damage to agricultural assets and livestock and the needs of affected people and communities.
• Advisory services targeted to individuals, communities and government agencies on re-establishment of rural enterprises or alternative strategies for economic recovery <www.dpi.vic. gov.au> and search for emergency management.
• Identification of and delivery of specific funded recovery programs including administration of specific relief subsidies.

Farm planning and soil conservation services

• These are provided after fire and flood, to farmers across Victoria including:
  • whole farm planning courses (FarmPlan21) to support beef and sheep farmers to plan and make better decisions across the farming system so they can prepare for and respond to the impacts of emergencies (with a focus on rehabilitating the productive capacity of their land and water resources)
• • management advice to help farmers establish stock containment areas (incentives where available) and water efficient pasture types and grazing regimes
  • working with farmers to manage the soil health, pasture recovery and erosion impacts of flood and fire
  • advice on supplementary feeding and watering and the costing of different feeding options.

DPI provides the following R,D&E information to service providers to build capacity and enhance service delivery (wholesale):

• Coordination of information for other animal welfare agencies in emergency preparedness and response.
• Participation in a coordinated program with Country Fire Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Human Services, Victoria Police, State Emergency Service, Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Department of Health, local government and other non-government organisations such as the Victorian Farmers Federation and RSPCA to ensure that emergency response is efficient and effective.
• Advice to distribution bodies (e.g. Victorian Farmers Federation) on the potential need for donated fodder and emergency stock water.

DPI will refer farmers and service providers to the following resources (signpost):

• Appropriate organisations for assistance such as the Rural Financial Counselling service.
• Services that support the community and personal needs of affected landholders <www.dhs.vic.gov.au/home> and <www. health.vic.gov.au/doh>.
• Services that help affected primary producers re-establish their businesses <www.health.vic.gov.au/bushfire/business/ respond_recover.htm>.
• Fire recovery and response Information Notes (Appendix 1).

DPI services to beef and sheep producers – evaluation of 2010 plan

The DPI services to beef and sheep producers document was first released in June 2010. The document is reviewed and updated annually to ensure that the information and the services are still relevant and targeted to beef and sheep producers needs and responsive to changes in the operating environment. Inputs into the review process for this year include consultation with industry and regional stakeholders, DPI internal review, and formal evaluations of components of two Services: Driving improvements in sector productivity and Supporting the uptake of sustainable farming practices.

The key evaluation findings and the way they have been used to inform future service design and delivery are summarised here.

Evaluation Findings – All services to beef and sheep producers

A survey of 1300 Victorian farmers conducted by DPI in June 2010 asked farmers to rate (out of a possible score of 10) the relevance, accessibility and importance of DPI services and information to assist them with their farming enterprise. The 461 beef and sheep producers in the survey sample reported:

Relevance – 8.2

Accessibility – 8.1

Importance – 8.1

Service 1: Driving improvements in sector productivity
Service 2: Supporting the uptake of sustainable farming practices

Project Evaluation - Demonstrating the influence of EverGraze extension (2007-2010) on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of livestock producers in the high rainfall zone

Evaluation purpose:

To understand farmer attitudes and factors affecting adoption of EverGraze in order to prioritise extension, tools and training to meet farmer needs for the next phase of EverGraze from 2011.

Key Findings:

Since 2005, 75% of EverGraze participants and 59% of non-participants had changed use or management of perennial pastures. Producers who were involved in EverGraze activities were significantly more likely than non-participants to:

• have increased the area of perennial pastures on their farms,
• be actively planning or considering making changes to management and use of perennials in future years,
• be planning to make changes to livestock management in future,
• be addressing environmental issues on their farms.

Reasons for not changing current practices included limited resources (workforce and financial), current seasonal conditions and workload.

DPI’s response to the evaluation:

The EverGraze team has taken on board the feedback that EverGraze information needs to be regionally specific and that delivery needs to occur in local environments. It is proposed that EverGraze regional packages will present the potential environmental, productivity, economic and risk management benefits of regionally specific perennial pasture-based practices in a whole-farm context. Research outcomes and information presented in the packages will come from Proof Site research in addition to new and existing research findings from a range of regionally relevant projects. EverGraze Caring for Our Country Supporting Sites and other local groups and events will continue to provide producers with a forum for developing new skills and knowledge and experimenting with practices in their own environment.

Economic analysis of EverGraze Proof Sites and Supporting Site Case Studies will be combined with cost/benefit analysis tools for producers to make more informed farm management decisions. Synthesis and modeling of Proof Site results under a range of different climate scenarios is also taking place this year

Project Evaluation - National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats

Options assessment for the identification of sheep and goats

Evaluation purpose:

To assess the merit of three options (based on costs, benefits and risks) for an identification system that will improve the traceability of sheep and goats.

Key findings:

A Benefit Cost Analysis conducted on each option suggested that electronic tagging produced the highest benefit cost ratio out of the three options, was the only option to achieve compliance with the National Traceability Performance Standards (NTPS), and is the most effective tracing tool for catastrophic disease outbreaks.

Commercial opportunity, protection of industry and government reputation, and endemic disease control is likely to be greatest with electronic tagging. It is also noted the EU is likely to require that Australia has a tracking system that is equivalent in performance to the electronic tagging system now being introduced for sheep and goats throughout Europe.

DPI’s response to the evaluation:

Victoria’s Sheep and Goats Identification Advisory Committee (SIAC) met on 1 April 2011 to review the operation of the current NLIS (Sheep & Goats) system. There is a strongly held view amongst the members of SIAC that the assessment by PWC is correct, namely that a tracking system for sheep and goats based on visually readable tags and paper records will never achieve compliance with Australia's National Livestock Tracking Performance Standards. Retaining the current approach to sheep and goat traceability places the future prosperity of Australia’s sheep, goat, beef, dairy and pork industries at risk. This is because of the difficulties that will arise in locating sheep of interest in the context of an outbreak of a disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease in Australia.

The Chairman of SIAC has written to the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security recommending that available effort and resources be invested in moving forward with the development and implementation of an electronic system, both within Victoria and nationally.

SIAC also endorsed the attached expenditure plan for 2011/12. This plan is designed to accelerate the voluntary uptake of electronic NLIS (Sheep) technology at all points in the supply chain.

Evaluation of the electronic NLIS (sheep and goats) extension project (December 2010)

Evaluation purpose:

To determine the effectiveness of the NLIS (sheep and goat) Extension Project in supporting and encouraging the voluntary use of electronic NLIS technology by industry and provide recommendations for the future direction of the project.

Key findings:

PriceWaterhouseCoopers found that DPI’s extension project was effective in contributing towards the achievement of the desired outcomes of the project. However, some objectives were met more fully than others and there is still room for improvement in specific areas relating to the commercial application of electronic NLIS (Sheep and Goats) technology. Further focus is required to deliver on developing carcass feedback processes; demonstrating successful properties and promoting benefits, as well as resolution of issues with on-farm software and hardware. There is also further room for greater integration of electronic tagging across the supply chain.

Potential Commercial benefits:

The evaluation concluded that investment in Electronic Identification (EID) technology has many potential commercial benefits to sheep and goat producers, including labour savings, more informed decision making and better marketing information. However, many of these benefits are still conceptual and are yet to be realised in practice.

DPI’s response to the evaluation:

PriceWaterhouseCoopers evaluation findings have been utilised to inform and guide the direction of the current extension program. The evaluation has contributed to the identification and formulation of strategies to improve productivity throughout the whole sheep and goat production chain and inform current projects of the potential benefits of the technology. Planning of new sheep and goat EID projects to improve adoption of this technology through the demonstration of the on farm and whole of chain benefits of EID technology will be informed by the findings of this report.