The latest updates on industrial relations from Mediation and Employment Relations Service’s Chas Cini.

Broadacre farming

Shearing

Pastoral award

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

Read the updated Stock on Roads operational instruction

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.

Read the media release

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.

Access the book here

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.  

The Government of South Australia wants to work side by side with producers to increase the productivity and profitability of producers and grow the state’s cattle herd and sheep flock. This is the premise at the heart of the Red Meat and Wool Growth Program.

The Red Meat and Wool Growth program provides a strong pathway for the industry to become more resilient and forward looking with the focus on technology adoption, strategic skill development and enhancing biosecurity.

Recently two important initiatives of the Red Meat and Wool Growth Program have commenced.

[Read more…]

South Australia’s first virtual fencing trial involving cattle has demonstrated its potential to deliver significant environmental benefits through successfully protecting an area of Eucalyptus saplings along a water course from being grazed on a commercial farm.

In the trial conducted at Eden Valley by CSIRO, twenty Santa Gertrudis heifers were fitted with Agersens eShepherd^® pre-commercial neckband prototype which trained the cattle to respond to an audio cue as they approached a virtual fence line within a 14-ha wire-fenced paddock.

This promising result demonstrates the potential of virtual fencing technology to deliver various NRM outcomes for graziers, including: keeping animals out of other environmentally sensitive areas (e.g. riparian zones, fragile soils), reduced overgrazing and erosion, and improved maintenance of groundcover and weed control.

CSIRO’s scientific publication of the full trial results can be found here.

The Barossa Improved Grazing Group also produced a 2-page case study of the trial results, which can be found here.

Agersens eShepherd^® virtual fencing system is yet to be commercialised.

 

Livestock SA is currently recruiting for a new Heritage Agreement Outreach Officer for the recently established Revitalising Private Conservation in South Australia Program!

Please visit henderconsulting.com.au for further information about each role and to apply.

Nature Foundation is delivering this important initiative in partnership with Livestock SA, Conservation SA, Trees For Life (SA) and Nature Conservation Society of South Australia.