Articles tagged: Farming

Man dies in Beech Forest tractor incident
A man has died at Beech Forest after being struck by a tractor while baling hay.

Winchelsea roadshow explores life after farming
A free rural roadshow is set to come to Winchelsea next month, aimed at supporting the community in exploring life beyond the farm.

Empty effluent ponds for growth
Agriculture Victoria’s dairy industry development officer Rachael Campbell says emptying dairy effluent ponds can benefit pastures.

Stock collection still available
Dairy Farmers Victoria president and Larpent farmer Mark Billing says dead livestock collection is still available for local farmers, amid concerns for the service following a northern Victorian knackery stopping its pickups.

Housing solutions sought for dairy industry
A Victorian dairy support organisation is aiming to save the long-term sustainability of the state’s $3-billion dairy industry by identifying innovative housing solutions to attract and retain a workforce in dairy regions such as south-west Victoria.

Otway’s international ham award
Otway Pork has taken out another accolade, winning the Best Ham category at international meat awards.

Milking swap helps farmers in dry times
A flexible approach has helped Barongarook West farmer Simon Scott find success during a difficult season.

Biodynamic approach for flower producer
Birregurra’s Phoebe East was inspired by her love of the moon to create a biodynamic flower farm.

$15-million ag training boost
A new $15-million Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund will aim to boost training and employment activities in the agriculture sector across south-west Victoria and statewide.

District farmland surges in value
South-west Victorian farmland continues to surge in value, recording a sixth consecutive year of growth, with Colac Otway land fetching almost $14,000 a hectare on average.

Dairy industry milks benefits
Colac district farmers are praising the impact of a mandatory dairy code of conduct after more than a year of the code being in effect.

HEROES FOR HABITATS: Farms protect vital vegetation
Tony Webber and Claire Dennis are among Colac district farmers using covenants to protect native vegetation on their farms.

Firefighting duties part of farming life
Irrewarra’s Gary Hitchings has been involved with his region’s fire brigade for more than 50 years, captaining for 10 of them, while dairy farming throughout.

State’s gross farm income increases, costs decrease
Higher gross farm income and lower costs have been positive factors for Victorian farmers in the past year, the 2019-20 Livestock Farm Monitor report says.

Electric fence burns tree, sparks fire warning
An Irrewillipe farmer has warned landowners to check their fences regularly after he found his electric fence was burning a tree branch.

Rural news in brief
News on locust numbers, shearer training, workforce shortages, and calculating water use on farms.

La Nina boosts area’s farmers
Colac and district can expect a wet spring and summer with an unusual weather event kicking in.

Farmers score at district awards
Colac district farmers have won honours for their business management skills and contributions to the dairy industry in the final week of the Great South West Dairy Awards.

Farm grabs new opportunities
A Deans Marsh sheep farm’s most recent venture has taken off this year, with direct-to-consumer lamb products reaching new levels of demand.

Cooriemungle cow wins
A Cooriemungle farmer can claim he has the best of the best after winning a class in the Jersey Australia Challenge this year.

Seed trials benefit industry
A Larpent farmer is encouraging Colac and district farmers to trial different grasses on their properties after agreeing to donate land for a seed trial this season.

Working dog health reminder
A Colac vet is encouraging farmers to keep an eye on their working dogs during the colder months, paying attention to any injuries or signs of rat bait poisoning.

Rural and farming news
The Victorian Farmers Federation has received $3 million from the State Government to employ two farm safety officers and deliver new resources for farmers.

Soil health soars for organic farm
Camperdown’s Graham Clay has been organic for three years after gradually reducing his use of chemicals.

