Columns 2020
April Newsletter: President’s Report
In stark contrast to this time last year, Livestock SA staff and board members have been able to attend many face-to-face events this month. It has been great to meet with members and industry stakeholders at these events once again.
March Stock Journal Column: Motorcycle permit change concerning
LIVESTOCK SA is calling on the State Government to consider special provisions for young people working in farming operations to be included in legislation which raises the minimum age for obtaining a motorcycle learner’s permit in South Australia.
The Motor Vehicles (Motor Bike Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill 2020 passed Parliament in early March, which increases the minimum age for a learner’s permit and R-Date licence by two years.
March Newsletter: President’s Report
Livestock SA has welcomed the extension of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, with the SA government agreeing to match $3.7 million in federal government funding for the scheme.
February Stock Journal Column: Lack of local trials limiting eID uptake in SA
THE National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is vital to ensure our cattle, sheep and goat industries maintain effective animal traceability, which is important to develop and maintain livestock markets.
While there is a push in some quarters to move to a mandatory electronic identification (eID) system for sheep, Livestock SA believes there is still work to do to convince producers of its benefits.
February Newsletter: President’s Report
Livestock SA is looking forward to the opportunities 2021 presents to provide increased advocacy and continued engagement for the SA livestock industry.
Read More
January Stock Journal Column: Signs keep stock, drivers safe
MOVING livestock across main roads can be a challenging and dangerous task which is why appropriate safety measures need to be taken into consideration to protect stock and staff.
There is currently no legislation in South Australia covering traffic control requirements for the movement of livestock.
December/January Newsletter: President’s Report
What a year 2020 has been!
Read More
November Newsletter: President’s Report
Highly anticipated heavy rainfall has provided some relief from the dry conditions in many regions of the state this past month.
Read More
October Stock Journal Column: Reviewing bushfire support for SA producers
Livestock SA is using the learnings from the 2019-20 bushfires to ensure future responses to natural disasters offer similar relief for those affected and continue to be well coordinated and accessible.
The organisation has reviewed its support and response efforts in conjunction with the SA Country Fire Service as attention now turns towards the coming summer bushfire season.
The fires in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island combined resulted in the loss of three lives, 46,700 livestock, 100 homes and 260,000 hectares of land.
October Newsletter: President’s Report
There are some new faces on the Livestock SA board as we welcome Richard Kirkland, Furner; Marina Gregor, Kangaroo Island; and Robert Brokenshire, Mount Compass, who were announced during the Annual General Meeting on 14 September.
Read More
October 2020 newsletter – Reflecting on last year’s bushfire season
As we look forward to the onset of bushfire season, it’s also appropriate to reflect back on last season’s challenges.
Read More
September Stock Journal Column: Commercial harvesting helps manage roos
OVER-abundant kangaroo populations continue to cause damage to farming land, infrastructure and crops in South Australia.
Kangaroos have long benefited from livestock production because of the removal of natural predators and increased access to water and grazing land.
September Newsletter: President’s Report
WHILE many areas of South Australia received welcome rains in August after what had been a very dry winter, some areas of the state are still battling drought conditions.
Read More
2020 Stock Journal Livestock Annual
Our Biosecurity Extension team and the Sheep Industry Funds are featured in the 2020 Stock Journal Livestock Annual.
August Stock Journal Column: Close collaboration with Minister is crucial
LIVESTOCK SA welcomed the appointment of David Basham as the new South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development last month.
While Livestock SA acknowledges the progress which has been made during the past two years, a high priority is to follow-up on the issues which still need to be addressed in the industry with the new Minister.
August Newsletter: President’s Report
LIVESTOCK SA would like to acknowledge the support of Tim Whetstone as Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development over the past few years.
Read More
July Stock Journal Column: Accessible ag training key to strong industry
PROVIDING accessible and high-quality agricultural education in South Australia is essential to ensure agricultural businesses continue to adapt and thrive in an everchanging industry.
Livestock SA welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement last month that fees for agriculture degrees will be cut by 62 per cent in 2021 to encourage more students into the sector.
July Newsletter: President’s Report
ONE OF the good news stories of the year so far has been the reduction in water costs from July 1 for livestock producers reliant on water delivered through SA Water’s infrastructure network. Equivalent to an average saving of $1350 per year, Livestock SA welcomed this news given members had been calling for changes to water pricing since 2013.
Read More
June Stock Journal Column: Traps to curb feral deer
Populations of feral deer have increased dramatically in areas of South Australia over the past few years and this has had a profound impact on agriculture, the environment and community safety.
The competition for pasture, soil erosion and degradation of creeks and riverbanks together with damage and loss of horticulture crops are just some of the issues associated with feral deer which have an impact on agricultural production.
June Newsletter: President’s Report
Due to COVID-19 restrictions continuing to prevent many face-to-face events, Livestock SA held its first Northern Region meeting for 2020 online last month.
The meeting focused on the continued impact of drought, the Pastoral Act Review, the draft Far North Prescribed
Wells Water Allocation Plan and wild dogs.
May Stock Journal Column: Welcome autumn rain elevates footrot risk
Livestock producers have rightly welcomed a promising break to the season, but with it comes increased biosecurity risks.
Footrot, a contagious and notifiable bacterial disease in sheep, requires warm and moist conditions to develop.
Fire-affected producers get back to business
The coronavirus pandemic impacting the world has made the recovery and rebuilding efforts in bushfire-affected areas of SA even more challenging.
But, support and resources for those recovering are still available for producers affected by the fires that burnt through Kangaroo Island, Cudlee Creek and Keilira in late 2019 and early 2020.
Policy reviews help graziers
A range of pastoral region policies and plans that impact producers are being revised in 2020 and Livestock SA encourages South Australian producers to get involved and provide their feedback.
Fires create biosecurity risks
Bushfires can not only cause immediate threats during the event but also many threats post-fire, including biosecurity issues.
Livestock producers need to be prepared to reduce these associated biosecurity issues on their property as part of the post-fire recovery process.
Govt supports key initiatives
Last year was a busy and successful year for Livestock SA and its members despite the tough weather conditions faced by many South Australian producers.
