SOUTH Gippsland Landcare Network is sponsoring a timely event for local farmers, and others, at the Koonwarra Hall on Wednesday this week, May 28 from 1pm to 3.30pm.
The day will feature information on a range of dry season initiatives with Fiona Baker from Agriculture Victoria.
Register online HERE
“We hope the recent rain has brought some relief, but will still be running this session for anyone who needs a little help or wants to discuss stock management during a dry season - with lots of time for questions,” said Cassie Wright. Projects & Education Coordinator South Gippsland Landcare.
Fiona will discuss different options which could include:
- Calculating livestock feed requirements,
- Early weaning,
- Sowing a winter crop,
- Purchasing feed,
- Selling some stock,
- Applying fertiliser and
- Using a stock containment area etc.
Fiona is a Beef Extension Officer with Agriculture Victoria and has extensive experience in feed management, buying and selling fodder, pasture assessment and much more.
This discussion group session is open to everyone. With the challenging season, it's a great idea to reach out to a neighbour and invite them along.
Speaking on ABC Gippsland Radio today, Cassie encouraged local farmers and their supporters to come along.
“This is part of a discussion group we run at South Gippsland Landcare Network. We run a bunch of things. We support Landcare and Friends groups. We also run a series of projects from sustainable ag to biodiversity, and this is part of a Climate Smart Communities project that's funded through the Federal Government," said Cassie Wright on ABC Gippsland Radio this morning.
"And we run field days in a discussion group. So, this is one of our discussion group sessions, but it's open to everybody today.
“And we've got Fiona Baker who is a beef extension officer from Agriculture Victoria, who's going to be speaking, and it's all about how to manage farms during dry times.
“And I know we've had a bit of rain which is wonderful, and we hope it will continue, but it still seems like it's a good thing to be across this stuff.
“We should be talking about things like stock feed requirements for producers, how people can better match the feed they've got on hand with what the stock actually need, how to monitor the condition of stock so you know if you've fed enough and when we can stop feeding.
“Also looking at the quality of feed people have got on hand, particularly with hay and silage, if you've brought it in. There can be huge variability in quality energy, protein and fibre. So, you get feed tested to see how good the feed is and know if you're not feeding the right amount, so you're not wasting feed.
“She'll also talk about how to balance the diet that you are feeding. So, if you're feeding hay and pellets, how to feed each of those, how much of each, how to compare the cost of those feeds and to work out which are the most economical to buy.
“And she'll also touch on if you've got a bit of green pasture growing, how you can boost that a little bit so you can be less reliant on bringing in feed.
“We’ll also talking about de-stocking if you want to de-stock, in what order to do it, what classes of stock, and also water issues that people might be having.
“And then just lots of time for questions and having a chat with other farmers.”
It’s on at the Koonwarra Hall today, Wednesday, May 28 from 1pm to 3.30pm.
