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Friday, February 14
• 10.30am Capeweed and Paterson’s curse control.
This presentation looks at the timing of control programs for weeds like capeweed and Paterson’s curse and focuses on the survival mechanisms of such weeds that give them an unfair advantage over pasture species. SPEAKER: Rob Richardson, Principal, Seymour Ag Supplies, Seymour, Victoria.
• 11.30am The power of publicity
The effective promotion of on-farm enterprises can be difficult if you don’t know how to start. In this presentation, Diana will share her tips on finding and reaching the right audience for your products, and using the right words to promote them to and through the media. SPEAKER: Diana Wolfe, former rural and regional press journalist, performer; public relations practitioner and writer, Melbourne, Victoria.
• 12.30pm Keeping geese
This comprehensive presentation will cover all the ‘need to know’ aspects of keeping geese, including what breeds are available, gender identification, feeding, housing and breeding needs and requirements, and how to deal with any behavioural problems. SPEAKER: Megg Miller, Poultry Information Publishers Australasian Poultry Seymour, Victoria.
• 1.30pm Compost forum
An open forum where a panel of three people representing different sectors of the composting ‘industry’ will provide their perspectives on those industry sectors and present their views on how composting can benefit agriculture and related industries. SPEAKERS: Kevin Banner, Metropolitan Waste Management Group, Slobodan Vujovic, Compost Victoria and Gerhard Grasser, AgriSolutions Ply Ltd.
• 2.30pm Land health – soils and soil degradation Soil health is a key component in the success of most farming enterprises. This presentation looks at the principal issues relating to soil health and what to be aware of in the ongoing management of soils. SPEAKER: Greg Bekker, Sustainable Farming Systems Officer; Department of Environment & Primary Industries, Benalla, Victoria.
• 3.30pm Grazing and cropping without fertilisers
Thousands of farmers are now achieving above-average production results by adopting natural processes – no fertilisers, no pasture replacement. This presentation uncovers the secrets. SPEAKERS: Hugo and Helen Disler, Principals, Farming Secrets, The Basin, Victoria.
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Saturday, February 15
• 10.30am Starting out In pigs
This presentation is aimed at those interested in farming pigs as a hobby or small commercial enterprise. The presentation will include information on the legalities of pig ownership and cover the requirements for basic housing, feeding and husbandry. SPEAKER: Dr Trish Holyoake, Senior Veterinary Officer – Pigs, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Bendigo, Victoria.
• 11.30am Livestock selection for small holdings – forum
An informative session that allows the audience to interact with a panel of experienced livestock breeders who will share their thoughts and experiences in relation to livestock selection options for small holdings. SPEAKERS: Ross Cardile, Former TAFE agriculture teacher and cattle breeder; Julia Gibson, breeder of Angus cattle, eventing horses and poultry and Julia White, breeder of Speckled Park cattle.
• 12.30pm Keeping geese
This comprehensive presentation will cover all the ‘need to know’ aspects of keeping geese, including what breeds are available, gender identification, feeding, housing and breeding needs and requirements, and how to deal with any behavioral problems. SPEAKER: Megg Miller, Poultry Information Publishers Australasian Poultry Seymour, Victoria.
• 1.30pm Machinery and implement requirements for small holdings – open forum
When starting out as a small holding owner, many people are information poor when it comes to the purchase of machinery and implements needed to support their enterprises. This open forum provides an opportunity for the audience to gain the information they want without the sales hype and pressure. SPEAKER: Panel of Expo machinery/ implement exhibitors.
• 2.30pm Beekeeping – how to get started
This presentation will include information on how to start a beekeeping enterprise, what costs are associated with the required facilities and equipment, and the Victorian regulations that apply to the keeping of bees, pollination and the production of honey. SPEAKERS: Commercial beekeepers representing the Victorian Apiarists’ Association.
• 3.30pm Putting an end to Hendra – an update on the Hendra virus
This presentation is a must for horse owners wanting to know more about the Hendra virus and the possibilities for its spread further south and into Victoria. Amanda will also provide details of a recently developed Hendra virus vaccine. SPEAKER: Amanda Macartney, Equine Specialist Representative – Victoria, Zoetis Ply Ltd.
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Sunday, February 16
• 10.30am Say ‘goodbye’ to fertiliser costs – worms are the answer
David draws on the experiences of his own trials (conducted in conjunction with Alan Savoury’s cell grazing techniques) involving the introduction of worms to pastures and believes that beef and dairy farmers, for the approximate cost of one year’s traditional fertiliser application, need never buy fertiliser again. SPEAKER: David Davidson, Principal of Davo’s Worm Farms, Broomfield, Victoria.
• 11.30am Permacuiture Forum What is permaculture?
In this presentation, permaculture is comprehensively defined and Carolyn draws on her experiences
at the Mudlark Permaculture Urban demonstration site to illustrate how a model for sustainable living can be achieved on small holdings. SPEAKER: Carolyn Payne-Gemmel!, Mudlark Permacufture Urban Demonstration Site, Ararat, Victoria.
• 12.30pm Sustainable farm forestry
This presentation will outline how to develop and maintain a permanent multi-age, multi-species forest for timber production. SPEAKER: David Spicer; Principal Permacutture Works, Tumbarumba, NSW
• 1.30pm Grazing and cropping without fertilisers
Thousands of farmers are now achieving above-average production results by adopting natural processes – no fertilisers, no pasture replacement. This presentation uncovers the secrets. SPEAKERS: Hugo and Helen Disler, Principals, Farming Secrets, The Basin, Victoria.
• 2.30pm Creative earthworks for regenerative farming
In this comprehensive presentation, David explains how creative earthworks can be used to re-pattern land to achieve maximum water infiltration and growing potential. SPEAKER: David Spicer, Principal, Permacufture Works, Tumbarumba, NSW
Please note that session times, topics and speakers may change without notice.
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