The Federal Government’s announcement today of $400,000 funding for nutrition workshops to help dairy and livestock producers manage with less roughage for feeding livestock will go a long way to help beef and dairy farmers dealing with the impact of drought.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Livestock President Alisa Fox said the VFF Livestock and UDV had worked closely with industry bodies to provide advice to the Government on how it can assist Victorian producers.
“The workshops are expected to bring the expertise of animal nutritionists to producers. They will explain how producers can minimise the use of roughage without compromising the health or productive capacity of dairy and beef cattle,” Mrs Fox said.
The VFF/UDV will help plan where these workshops will be held and hopes that the first will be delivered as early as this month, probably in Northern Victoria.
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria President Doug Chant said the national supply of roughage for livestock had reached critical levels.
“The shortage is unprecedented and the VFF/UDV will maintain its efforts to unlock fodder supplies wherever possible,” Mr Chant said.
In the past fortnight, Mr Chant has met milk factories, senior government advisers and Australian Dairy Farmers to discuss the fodder crisis.
The VFF has had meetings about the availability of hay around the country with the Fodder Industry Association of Australia and the Cattle Council of Australia.
The VFF/UDV will continue to explore options to increase fodder supplies to allow the farming community access to good quality roughage at sustainable prices.
