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Dairy farmer grants available to improve technology uptake on farm

EastAUSmilk has been successful in securing funding through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to improve technology uptake on the dairy farm. The first round of grants for the Dairy Farmers Technology Uptake Program (DFTUP) has closed, offering 25% of total tech cost up to a maximum of $15,000 ex GST, per dairy business.

 

There are two parts to the program, multiple information and training workshops in each dairying region, and provision of financial assistance for technology uptake. The program aims to increase knowledge and adoption of technology to improve labour efficiencies as well as cow health, welfare and fertility. The dates for workshops and training sessions will be announced soon. However, if there is a particular technology you are interested in and want to learn more about, please get in touch.

 

Grants available to eligible dairy farmers in Queensland which includes eligible items such as:

 

  • Autodrafting gates

  • Automated feeding systems

  • Cup removers

  • Auto calf feeders

  • Drones (spray or fertiliser)

  • Heat detection collars or ear tags

  • Precision technology

  • Mobile app upgrades and towers

  • Somatic cell count sensors/ in-line SSC detectors

 

Businesses in general are struggling with labour shortages with businesses located in rural or regional areas, facing bigger challenges due to lack of population density and accessibility. Mechanisation or technology investments on farm looks to not only improve labour efficiencies resulting in less time demanded per job but also improve decision making and enhance business planning.

 

The addition of technology on farm can provide additional benefits which includes improved herd health management and monitoring. Automated calf feeders, for example, reduce labour and improves overall welfare for the calf, with the option to tailor feeding rates per calf but also maintaining optimal hygiene of the equipment.

Jade Chan, eastAUSmilk Project Officer

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Invisible Dangers after a Flood

It seems like we can’t catch a break, first the fires, then the drought and now floods. Farmers have been affected all around South East Queensland and North East NSW where there is a big clean-up job and damage assessments underway. However, these wet and humid conditions that follow a flood event are the ideal environments for bacterial diseases to thrive posing a risk to yourself as well as staff who are assisting with clean up.

In previous floods the rates of Leptospirosis, Melioidosis and mosquito borne viruses (Ross River, Barmah Forest virus etc) increase. Incubation periods are 5-15 days for Leptospirosis, 1-21 days for melioidosis and 2-15 for mosquito borne viruses although symptoms can present up to 30 days after.

 

Symptoms include:

 

Leptospirosis – flu like symptoms, red eyes, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, yellowing of skin and eyes, skin rash

 

Melioidosis – Fever, pain/swelling, chest pain, headache, stomach pain, joint pain, all depending on where the infection is present

 

Mosquito Borne Virus - headache, fever, joint or muscle pain, skin rash, fatigue and nausea

Minimising your risk:

 

  • Cover cuts and abrasions,

  • Wear gloves where possible and wash hands thoroughly before eating, drinking and/or smoking

  • Shower thoroughly after contacting contaminated floodwaters, soil and mud

  • Application of insect repellent, especially dawn & dusk; wearing loose, light coloured clothing

  • Use respiratory protection (P2 or higher) if possible to minimise melioidosis infection

 

Various Government and Non-government assistance is available and the list continues to grow for those who are affected by the floodwaters.

 

Government:

 

  • Disaster recovery payment - $1000 per person, $400 per child under 16 for eligible LGA’s

  • Emergency hardship assistance grants - $180 per person, $900 for families of 5+ persons

  • Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants - $75,000 for flood affected producers

  • Disaster assistance loans – Up to $250,000 for 10 years

 

Not for profit:

 

  • Rural aid – financial aid, fodder, farm army and counselling

  • Lions NEED4FEED – assistance with emergency fodder

  • Drought Angels – financial support and farm assistance

  • BlazeAid – resurrecting fences and clean up

Please feel free to contact with the team at eastAUSmilk on 07 3236 2955 or Jade on 0437 923 398 if you need any assistance with application forms, resources and/or want to register for BlazeAid to come to your property to help with fencing.

 

Jade Chan – Project Officer eastAUSmilk

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