Livestock SA has previously made submissions on Phase Two (Rural Areas) and Phase Three (Urban Areas) of the Draft Planning and Design Code Consultation. As part of these submissions, Livestock SA raised the conflict between primary production industries and believes this issue is still not addressed in the revised Planning and Design Code. Livestock SA believes if we are to protect and grow existing broadacre agriculture and avoid conflict with other agricultural pursuits, there needs to be policies in place ensuring that with any change, it becomes the responsibility of the landowner making the change, including to more intensive agriculture, viticulture and horticulture, to provide the appropriate buffers and anything else that may be required. Livestock SA also believes where broadacre land becomes non-viable due to restrictions imposed by approved new activities, particularly in the peri-urban zone, needs to be addressed further and remains concerned that broadacre livestock production has already been virtually squeezed out of this zone, with a resultant loss of economic production for the State.
Industrial relations – update
The latest updates on industrial relations from Mediation and Employment Relations Service’s Chas Cini.
NFF seeking input on Farm Data Code
The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on stakeholders to have their say, as part of a review of the Australian Farm Data Code. The Code was released in February of this year, and the NFF is now seeking to understand awareness and uptake of the Code, as well as appetite for certification of products and services.
Click here to have your say. Survey closes end of January 2021.
Integrity Systems – December update
Integrity Matters newsletter
- LPA NVDs changes in 2020
- Strengthening data security
- Carcass feedback through Livestock Data Link
- Pilot study into enhancing producer feedback
- ISC Helpdesk update
- Producer survey results
- ISC program updates
Limestone Coast Pest Management Strategy Review
The Pest Management Strategy plan will be able to provide a good basis for some effective pest polices for the effective management and control of pest plants and animals.
Livestock SA believes consideration should be given in the review to supplementing pest risk assessments with benefit cost analyses, so that an economic assessment can also be made of the management and control programs for pest animals and plants.
Livestock SA also believes rabbit management should be moved to the ‘destroy infestations’ management category as it is estimated rabbits cause over $200 million a year in losses to Australian agriculture.
Feral cats also need to be mentioned when discussing management of pests as they can threaten lamb production and carry infectious diseases.
Mention of the management of over-abundant native animals has not been discussed in the review.
Of particular concern in the Limestone Coast region are the relatively high numbers of kangaroos, the ease with which kangaroo numbers can quickly increase and the effect this can have on total grazing pressure. Further options need to be considered for effective control of kangaroos in this region.
Stock on Roads Operational Instruction
The Road Traffic Act does not currently contain any requirements for traffic control when droving stock along roads. While there is no regulatory requirement to use signs when moving stock, stockowners have a duty of care to warn others of potential hazards due to the movement of animals under their control. Both temporary and permanent signs are only intended to warn drivers of the likelihood of stock being on the road.
Summary
Temporary warning signs
- Signs are encouraged when stock is about to enter, crossing or on a road
- An orange flag (450 mm x 300 mm) may also be used to improve visibility of signs but not compulsory
- Signs should not be left up on a permanent basis and are not suitable for night use
- Signs should be places on the shoulder of the road and should be visible to drivers over an approach distance of 80 m up to 250m depending on approach speed
Use of flashing yellow lights
- Stockowners are permitted to use yellow flashing lights when moving stock
- The light must be mounted on top of a vehicle and must be visible from all sides
- Flashing yellow lights are not compulsory however, are encouraged when stock are not clearly visible to a driver or a vehicle is left stationary not clear of the shoulder while the stock is being moved
Permanent stock crossing and warning signs
- Permanent signs are often installed where there are daily stock movements occurring across or along the road between paddocks or on an unfenced road where there is potential for wandering stock
- No signs may be installed on roads without the approval of the appropriate road authority
NWDAP – Wild dog baiting workshops for organic producers
Ground-breaking Australian Government-funded workshops are helping organic-certified producers in South Australia combat the wild dog scourge while maintaining access to premium organic markets.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the baiting workshops were the first of their kind to be held in Australia.
“A total of 38 participants took part, representing 18 properties, covering four million hectares of the Rangelands region of South Australia,” Minister Littleproud said.
Building a new Biosecurity Act for South Australia
The State Government is proposing to develop a new, consolidated Biosecurity Act for South Australia. There is no mention of funding requirements for the conditions mentioned in the new Biosecurity Act. If there is any suggestion of a new Biosecurity Act levy, this will need to be discussed within industry. There needs to be increased enforcement to increase compliance. The new act should ensure there is consistency with other livestock biosecurity legislation nationally and in other states. There are also recent changes regarding farm trespass, along with parts of the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and the new Landscape South Australia Act 2019, which need to be considered in the new Act. Livestock SA also suggests Livestock Act 1997 should not be repealed until after the new Act is fully developed. The new act should encompass all the features of the current Livestock Act.
The Australian Farmer – Volume 2
The latest The Australian Farmer Volume II digital book is now available for producers.
The Australian Farmer digital book campaign was launched in 2017 specifically for and in collaboration with Australian farmers. It offers extensive and expert insight into advanced farming principles and practices in this country to help all farmers, no matter their commodity or region, enhance productivity and profitability outcomes.
The book is provided for free to farmers across the Australia.
Q Fever Taskforce Meeting
In October, the National Q Fever Taskforce met to discuss recent developments, including new funding for projects to conduct trials for a novel vaccine (as announced by Minister Coulton), to test the efficacy of the existing vaccine on adolescents (as announced by Minister Hunt), and an update on the AgriFutures project, as well as recent case numbers and other relevant project proposals. The Taskforce will meet again in late November to consider awareness campaigns and other initiatives at a state level and revisit its advocacy priorities.
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