With the current dry/uncertain times in South-West Victoria our members and farming communities are searching for more information to help their farming business to tackle the tough decisions.

 A pair of workshops across four locations Harrow, Hamilton, Lake Bolac and Lismore will be held. Each workshop is a one-day event, repeated at each location. The first round will be held 27-30 August, the second workshop will be 17-20 September. These small-group workshops will be hands-on, participants will go home armed with the know-how to use the resources and calculators, with the opportunity for 1 to 1 support post workshop to call on the team to double-check when not sure if they have used the tools correctly.

These workshops are supported by Southern Farming Systems and funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and Meat and Livestock Australia.

The first workshop in the series will be focused on what to expect in spring and summer 2024-25. Cam Nicholson (Nicon Rural) and Lisa Miller (Southern Farming Systems), along with guests will discuss what rainfall and pasture growth to expect, how to prepare a 6-month feed and water budget, and how to make the decision to retain or sell livestock.

The second workshop is focused on managing your core livestock and the feed base, presented by Lisa Miller, Jessie Wettenhall and Dr Jane Gaussen, The Livestock Vet. They will discuss how to manage your perennial grasses and sub-clover, summer feed options, condition scoring and preparing for joining 2024-25, weaning early and stock containment feeding.

These workshops are FREE, limited to small learning groups of 20 businesses for more information or register https://sfs.org.au/communications/events