NFF president David Jochinke said while other strains were present here, Australia was the last continent to remain free from the H5 strain.
“It is imperative that we pull every lever to ensure Australia is prepared for this deadly strain, if and when it arrives on our shores,” Mr Jochinke said.
“The government’s sensible commitment demonstrates a proactive and multi-faceted approach to protect Australian poultry farmers against an incredibly serious threat.”
The NFF particularly welcomes additional investment in surveillance, analysis of industry and supply chain logistics, and national response capabilities.
Brumbies despatched in knackery
Significant gaps have been highlighted in a NSW brumby rehoming program after the discovery of hundreds of dead horses at an alleged illegal slaughterhouse.
The program was suspended after more than 500 horses appeared to have been killed at a property near Wagga Wagga in April.
Some of the horses were believed to have been brumbies, rehomed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and part of government efforts to reduce wild horse numbers in Kosciuszko National Park.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water — responsible for the NPWS — launched an investigation into the program and found the agency failed to properly review or perform due diligence on the rehomer's application.
The report also found the person behind the alleged knackery received 28 per cent of all the horses rehomed under the program since 2021.
Fodder as a national resilience tool
The Australian Fodder Industry Association will host its 25th National Fodder Conference in Coffs Harbour on July 23 to 25.
It will focus on the opportunities the fodder industry can deliver as a national resilience tool and vital component of Australia’s multi-billion dollar animal industries.
The event will cover a range of topics to examine reducing risk, improving productivity and profitability, and building industry resilience and success.
The conference will include a large trade and exhibition hall indoors, and a major machinery display outdoors.
For more information, go to: https://www.afia.org.au/events
The full program is available at: https://afia.org.au/events/program/
Funding helps field days evolve
Henty Machinery Field Days will step up its promotion of agritourism in the Riverina-Murray region and increase its visitation reach thanks to NSW Government funding.
Henty Machinery Field Days chief executive officer Belinda Anderson welcomed the funding announcement, saying the $20,000 grant would be used to increase profile and encourage visitation to the 2024 event on September 17 to 19.
Mrs Anderson said it was important for the field days to continue to evolve by broadening its reach to visitors outside the agricultural sector.
The grant will be used for targeted marketing and promotion in the digital space, to encourage visitors to focus on the social connections experienced at the field days.
“Henty has an established foothold on the agricultural calendar and receives strong support from businesses and visitors each year, however we do not rest on our laurels and aim to remain relevant and continually evolving,” Mrs Anderson said.
Bring on virtual fences, farmers say
Calls for virtual fencing to be legalised in NSW have come to a head as the state’s peak farming body fronted a NSW Government inquiry.
NSW Farmers Animal Welfare Committee chair Robert McIntosh said virtual fencing had significant benefits for animal welfare, while also delivering better economic returns for farmers through grazing efficiencies.
“In the event of floods, fires and other natural disasters, this technology could well be used to help move livestock to safe areas, without putting humans or animals at risk,” he said.
“Reduced fencing costs and enabling noxious weeds to be fenced off and controlled are just two other benefits of virtual fencing which we could see farmers take advantage of if the technology was legalised in NSW.”
With the technology already permitted for commercial use in a number of other states, Mr McIntosh said it was critical NSW legislation was amended to enable farmers to take advantage of virtual fencing within the state.
Call to keep wild dog program
A petition has been launched by The Nationals to help secure the funding of Victoria’s wild dog control program, with its future yet to be confirmed past October.
“With the region in the middle of lambing season for many producers, there is an urgent need to recommit to the wild dog control program, and ensure our farms and stock are kept safe,” State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said.
The petition also requests:
- The three-kilometre buffer zone for controlling dogs be retained without alteration.
- All control measures currently available to doggers be retained without alteration.
- The annual publishing of the number and location of wild dogs euthanised by doggers.
- The annual publishing of stock losses and reports made by community members in relation to wild dog attacks.
To sign the petition, go to: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/victorias-wild-dog-program/
