Welcome to another AFIA weekly update and hay and grain report. This week you will notice that the update is in a different format. From now on you will be receiving the weekly updates using the eNewsletter format, these updates will include the same industry and AFIA information you receive from Caitlin each week in a more user friendly format.
Remember if you miss a weekly update it is available in the ‘Members only’ section of the AFIA website. Click here to access previous weekly updates.
TRANSPORT UPDATE
One of the most common requests the AFIA office gets is for information on hay transport, in particular how to safely secure loads of hay. While this information is available in the RIRDC report “Assessment of vehicles for the transport of hay and straw” released in 2008 we identified a need for a more concise and easy to read document. Based on this we have produced a 4 page summary document that covers the key aspects for safely securing hay and straw for transport. We recommend keeping a copy in the truck, and if your transporter hasn’t heard of it direct them to the AFIA website where they can download a copy.
For more information visit the Transport section of the AFIA website by clicking here.
APRIL NATIONAL FODDER AUDIT
It’s hard to believe that three months have already passed since we did the first National Fodder Audit for 2014 in January. This audit will be done on a quarterly basis so the next National Fodder Audit is now open and will close on Friday 2 May.
The aim of the National Fodder Audit is to stock take the amount of hay available at present and see how your fodder season has progressed since January. We look forward to comparing the findings of this survey to the January survey and sharing that with you in the Winter edition of Focus on Fodder.
To access the April National Fodder Audit please click here.
WANTED: PAST AFIA PHOTOS
We have been searching through the AFIA archives and have been unable to find many photos of AFIA members at conferences or events, pre 2001. For AFIA members who have been involved in the Association since that time and may still have some photos we would be really keen to get a copy of them for a special event at this year’s National Fodder Conference.
Please email, scan or post your photos to Caitlin so that we can take a copy of them for future reference. All photos will be returned or referenced to the photographer if used by AFIA. Please give the AFIA Office a call if you would like to discuss this further.
JANE WINS NATIONAL AG SCIENCE AWARD
Jane Kelley, daughter of AFIA Member Alison (Sonny) Stephens, was one of eleven winners of the 2014 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Awards were presented by The Honourable Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook Conference in Canberra on Tuesday 4 March 2014 (See picture below).
In 2013 Jane undertook a research project on liver fluke, during her Honors year at La Trobe University. It was this research project that lead to Jane winning the Award. The field work for the research was done on a number of farming properties in the Macalister Irrigation District, Victoria.
The Award aims to encourage the uptake of science, innovation and technology in rural industries and help to advance the careers of young scientists through national recognition of their research ideas.
Congratulations to Jane on this fantastic achievement. We wish her all the best for her future endeavors.
GEN AG
After the successful Gen Ag BBQ in Kapunda, SA last month AFIA is making an effort to better engage the next generation of fodder industry stakeholders. As part of this process we have launched a few new initiatives under the umbrella of Gen Ag.
- Gen Ag on the Web: There is now a dedicated section on the AFIA website for Gen Ag ‘members’ of AFIA. The aim is to build an online network of young people in the fodder industry. Click here to learn about Gen Ag.
- Gen Ag eNews: Anyone aged between 18-35 can sign up for a monthly eNewsletter with specific news and information targeted at Young people. Click here to sign up.
- AFIA Leadership Award: Applications for the AFIA leadership award are now open click here to down load an application or if you know someone who may be interested in applying and is aged between 18-35 please encourage them to apply or pass on their details for Caitlin to follow up.
- Gen Ag Registration to Conference: Anyone aged 25 years and under or who is a full time student can register for conference at the Gen Ag rate. For more information check out the National Fodder Conference registration form.
Please share the information about Gen Ag with anyone you know who may be interested.
NATIONAL FODDER CONFERENCE – FRANK DiGIORGIO ANNOUNCED AS SPEAKER
This years National Fodder Conference program features a good range of speakers including international speakers from the US and New Zealand as well as local speakers. All who will all explore ways to help benefit your fodder business, under this year’s Conference theme ‘Pushing the Boundaries’.
We couldn’t host a Conference in Adelaide without hearing from one of South Australia’s well known Wine making family’s. So we are pleased to announce that Frank DiGiorgio will be presenting about how his family business in the Coonawarra wine region of South Australia has evolved since his parents arrived in the region from Italy in the 1950’s. Franks is a great story and one I’m sure everyone will find fascinating. You can learn more about DiGiorgio wines here.
Full Conference Program will be released April 30, 2014.
BOOK CHEAP FLIGHTS TO CONFERENCE TODAY!
Virgin and QANTAS airlines have had some excellent sales on flights this week. I booked some flights to Adelaide for as low as $69 each way from Melbourne today. If you are heading to the National Fodder Conference this year now is a great time to book your flights and save some costs. Visit Webjet or your preferred flight providers website today for more information.
FODDER DRIVE TO BOURKE
Farmers and fodder transporters in the Southern Riverina and Northern Victoria teamed up to take up to 50 loads of hay and straw to drought affected farmers in Western NSW last weekend. This photo was taken last Friday night of the convoy making their way to Bourke, by AFIA member Wayne Williams who was involved in the fodder drive.
That’s it from AFIA this week, if you have something to add please email [email protected] or call the AFIA office by next Wednesday 16 April.
Have a good weekend!
From the AFIA Team