Victorian livestock producers are urged to join an Agriculture Victoria online biosecurity planning workshop this Thursday.
Attendees will be guided through the Animal Health Australia and Livestock Production Assurance program template with a panel of beef, sheep, dairy and goat specialists to answer questions.
The two-and-a-half-hour workshop will also include a summary of current and emerging biosecurity threats and the potential impacts on Victoria’s farm businesses and rural communities.
At the end of the session attendees will have completed their own on-farm biosecurity plan, specific to their business.
Agriculture Victoria beef and sheep networks manager Lyndon Kubeil said having an on-farm biosecurity plan was one practical way that farmers could minimise biosecurity risks to their businesses and the livestock industry.
“If you don’t already have a biosecurity plan, now is the time to develop one,” he said.
“As a minimum a biosecurity plan should promote good hygiene practices and record the movement
“Once you have a biosecurity plan for your farm, you should regularly familiarise yourself, your staff and your family with it, and review and update it, as you would any other farm plan.
“This workshop is also suitable for those wanting to review their plans.”
To take part in the workshop producers must have a property identification code (PIC).
PICs are free and easy to get online, and help Agriculture Victoria contact you in case of an emergency. They are mandatory for anyone with livestock. To apply or update your PIC, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/PIC
The workshop is free and will run on Thursday, August 11 from 1pm to 3.30pm. For more information on the webinar and to register visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events
Practical biosecurity steps to take on-farm as well as biosecurity plan templates are also available on the Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au/fmd