AusNet aerial inspections
Each year, AusNet’s Aerial Operations Program inspects around 40,000 poles on its electricity network with helicopters.
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AusNet is undertaking aerial inspections from Monday, April 7 until Friday, April 11.
They will be flying across the state, including over Wahgunyah, Norong, Brimin, Boomahnoomoonah, Wilby, Almonds, Pelluebla and Lake Rowan.
Promoting skin health
The Alpine Outreach Van will be visiting Wangaratta Livestock Exchange from Tuesday, April 15 to Thursday, April 17.
The Alpine Outreach Van will provide a quick and professional skin check in 15-minute appointments.
Farmers especially are encouraged to take advantage of the skin checks.
The van will be parked at the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange, 99 Shanley St, Wangaratta.
Bookings are recommended at: https://bit.ly/3DLEqwi
Survey to assess flood levels
Greater Shepparton City Council is working to improve flood preparedness and emergency response by conducting an updated floor level survey across key areas of the region.
The survey — undertaken in partnership with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority — will cover Kialla, Mooroopna, Shepparton, Shepparton East and North, Toolamba and surrounding rural areas along the Goulburn and Broken rivers, as well as Seven and Castle creeks.
The updated survey will supplement data from the original Floodplain Management Study (2002) and support the Victoria State Emergency Service and other emergency agencies in planning for and responding to potential flood events, including evacuation procedures if required.
Council has appointed Onleys Consulting Pty Ltd to conduct the survey, which will take place from mid-April to mid-September.
Surveyors will require access to the front doorstep of properties to collect GPS-measured floor level data but will not need to enter homes or outbuildings. All surveyors will carry identification and a letter from the Council authorising their work.
For more information about the Local Flood Guide & Municipal Flood Emergency Plan, go to: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/flood-guides/greater-shepparton-city-council
For more information about the Goulburn Broken Community Flood Intelligence Portal, go to: https://my.floodreport.com.au/gbcma/
For further information about the survey, call council on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au
New homes for catfish
Victorian populations of freshwater catfish are continuing on their road to recovery, with more than 25,000 of the native species to be relocated to new homes in the state’s north.
Campaspe River near Elmore got 163 catfish and Phyland Lagoon at Gunbower got 181.
Last week, an additional 23,000 fish were salvaged from Lake Lascelles at Hopetoun and have been taken to the Arcadia hatchery near Shepparton for genetic testing.
The majority will be released into suitable waters in coming weeks, with around 75 mature fish being retained at the facility for future breeding.
Freshwater catfish can only be taken by anglers from waters of the Wimmera Basin, with a minimum size of 30 centimetres and a bag limit of two.
For more information on catch limits, pick up a free Recreational Fishing Guide at a tackle store or download the VicFishing app.
Avocados Australia secures grant
Avocados Australia has been awarded a $200,000 grant over two years through the ASEAN-Australia Centre’s 2024-25 Grants Program.
The grant will support Avocados Australia’s export activities, strengthening regional trade and culinary engagement in South-East Asian markets.
The centre received nearly 300 grant applications and Avocados Australia was one of the 10 recipients, the only stakeholder from the agriculture sector.
Australia is a significant producer of premium avocados — in the 2023-24 financial year national production reached 150,913 tonnes, valued at $649 million.
The funding will help to train key stakeholders across the supply chain, engage the next generation of South-East Asian chefs and leverage food as a cultural bridge.
No chickening out on code
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences announced an independent review into potential market failure within the chicken meat supply chain.
It comes almost a year after a government-funded industry report recommended a mandatory code of conduct to protect chicken meat farmers from market power abuse at the hands of processors.
ABARES executive director, Jared Greenville, noted the importance of the review and the chicken meat industry to Australian agriculture and consumers.
“The poultry industry is a vital and growing component of Australia’s agricultural sector, with production value expected to reach a record $4.2 billion this financial year,” Dr Greenville said.
NSW Farmers principal economist Sam Miller said further research into the industry would not produce any surprises, and it was time for reform, not reports.
“We’ve already conducted extensive investigations into the poultry meat supply chain, and the findings were crystal clear — processors are giving growers the raw end of the deal, and it is forcing them out of the industry,” Mr Miller said.