Time

Topic

Speaker

11.00am

Adding Value to Farm Dams
Learn which varieties of fish are suitable for farm dams in addition to management issues such as stocking densities, aquatic vegetation, pest management, harvesting, feeding and water quality. This presentation will also include information on yabbies

Lachie McKenzie
Aquaculture Facility Operations Manager, NMIT

12.00pm

Cattle for Small Holdings
An overview of health and welfare strategies relevant to small cattle breed enterprises

Ross Cardile
Program Coordinator & Teacher in Agriculture, NMIT

Graeme Podbury
Australian Lowline Cattle Society

1.00pm

Soil Biology – the missing link to ongoing, healthy, productive and profitable growing
Cost and application of fertilizers and various
chemicals to support agricultural production during increasingly adverse seasons has put more focus on soil's capacity to economically and sustainably
supply healthy nutritious food and natural fibre. Soil biology and its function in the growing system to successfully meet modern demands are briefly explained and practical applications offered.

Gerhard Grasser
Lecturer on Sustainable Soil Management, ECG McMillan, Warragul, Certified Foodweb Advisor and Director of AgriSolutions

2.00pm

Choosing the right Poultry Breed
Selecting and caring for the poultry breed that best meets your need

Megg Miller
Editor of Australasian Poultry and Publisher of Grass Roots magazine

3.00pm

Alternative Livestock Enterprises

Boer Goats – An introduction to this alternative farming enterprise, addressing issues such as animal health, management, markets and production systems

Dorper Sheep – an introduction to this hardy, adaptable sheep breed. The discussion will cover the breed’s key advantages, which include no shearing or crutching, and its market potential.

Sue Bryant
National President of The Boer Goat Breeders’ Association of Australia

Haysam Mohtadi
Axis White Dorper Stud, Wallan, Victoria

Time

Topic

Speaker

11.00am

Adding Value to Farm Dams
Learn which varieties of fish are suitable for farm dams in addition to management issues such as stocking densities, aquatic vegetation, pest management, harvesting, feeding and water quality. This presentation will also include information on yabbies

Andrew Christie
Lecturer in the Bachelor of Applied Aquaculture, NMIT

12.00pm

Cattle for Small Holdings
An overview of health and welfare strategies relevant to small cattle breed enterprises

Ross Cardile
Program Coordinator & Teacher in Agriculture, NMIT

Graeme Podbury
Australian Lowline Cattle Society

1.00pm

Soil Biology – the missing link to ongoing, healthy, productive and profitable growing
Cost and application of fertilizers and various
chemicals to support agricultural production during increasingly adverse seasons has put more focus on soil's capacity to economically and sustainably supply healthy nutritious food and natural fibre. Soil biology and its function in the growing system to successfully meet modern demands are briefly explained and practical applications offered.

Gerhard Grasser
Lecturer on Sustainable Soil Management, ECG McMillan, Warragul, Certified Foodweb Advisor and Director of AgriSolutions

2.00pm

Choosing the right Poultry Breed
Selecting and caring for the poultry breed that best meets your needs

Megg Miller
Editor of Australasian Poultry and Publisher of Grass Roots magazine

3.00pm

Basic Chainsaw Maintenance
A brief introduction to the cleaning of a chainsaw and chain sharpening

NMIT - tba

Time

Topic

Speaker

11.00am

Plantings for Bushfire-prone areas
Suggestions on how fire risk can be reduced through the selection and strategic planting of fire retarding plants around homes and outbuildings

Maureen Doherty
Program Coordinator and Teacher in Horticulture, NMIT

12.00pm

Nature’s Processors – Dung beetles
An overview of how Dung beetles can improve farming ecosystems by ‘recycling’ livestock manure, improving water penetration into soils and reducing chemicals in the environment

Cindy Edwards
Director of IPM Specialists – specializing in equine fecal egg counts and integrated pest management.

1.00pm

Aquaculture in Victoria – meeting the challenges
An examination of aquaculture in Victoria and the need for better education and training for one of Australia’s fastest growing primary industries

Andrew Christie
Lecturer in the Bachelor of Applied Aquaculture, NMIT

2.00pm

Alternative Livestock Enterprises

Boer Goats – An introduction to this alternative farming enterprise, addressing issues such as animal health, management, markets and production systems

Dorper Sheep – an introduction to this hardy, adaptable sheep breed. The discussion will cover the breed’s key advantages, which include no shearing or crutching, and its market potential.

Sue Bryant
National President of The Boer Goat Breeders’ Association of Australia

Haysam Mohtadi
Axis White Dorper Stud, Wallan, Victoria

3.00pm

Basic Chainsaw Maintenance
A brief introduction to the cleaning of a chainsaw and chain sharpening

NMIT - tba

The S.A.F.E. is proud to acknowledge the sponsorship of the following organizations and would like to thank them for their generous support.