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| Retain your apprentices during drought |
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Employers in rural communities affected by drought are able to apply for assistance to help retain their apprentices and trainees.
Payments of $750 per apprentice or trainee enrolled in rural qualifications and in mechanical and electrical automotive trades that support agriculture production are available.
For more information contact the Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services on 1800 673 097.
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| Support for dairy farmers |
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Dairy and beef producers can receive free advice on feeding herds this winter as part of one-on-one sessions, being offered by ‘feed.FIBRE.future’, a program funded through Dairy Australia.
Experienced consultants are holding the sessions to help farmers affected by unprecedented feed shortages.
Sessions take into account differences between farms with a confidential discussion giving each farmer the opportunity to assess their current position, review feasible feeding options and strategies, and develop and implement action plans.
The 90-minute sessions are held in a small, local meeting room. All dairy and beef farmers are eligible at no cost. Further information is available at the Dairy Australia website www.dairyaustralia.com.au or by calling the Regional Drought Coordinator: Kirstie Murphy on 8536 3958 or 0408 088 624.
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| River Murray Water Resources Report —Issue 4 |
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River Murray inflows are still well below the long-term average, despite recent average rainfall, indicating that catchments take a long time to recover from drought.
The outlook for above-average rainfall over the next three months remains low. Without substantial inflows during these months, water availability will remain constrained and River Murray allocations will not increase until the total water available (not storage levels) reaches 1500 GL.
The latest River Murray water flow situation for SA irrigators is outlined in the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation’s next fortnightly Water Resources Report, due out on Friday 17 August:
http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/rivercond/index.html#RiverMurrayWaterResourcesReports
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| Managing with climate change |
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Farmers now have access to a new information tool to help them adapt to climate change.
A Guide to Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture in SA was released by PIRSA and the SA Grains Industry Trust to provide primary producers and natural resource managers with climate trends and projections in their region.
A major section deals with future management approaches to prepare and adapt to climate change covering land use, crops and animal species.
Until now there has been very little relevant information on managing climate change in agriculture.
Copies of the guide can be purchased for $10 through SARDI Climate Applications, duffield.trudi@saugov.sa.gov.au.
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| Training can help during dry times |
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Continued skill and knowledge development will be especially important for South Australian farmers to help them manage through the current dry conditions.
New FarmBis State Coordinator Belinda Barr says training can help farming families better manage risk and adapt to changes and is encouraging them to undertake training with assistance from FarmBis.
“Farmers can develop new skills that will help them better manage or critically assess their business as they face tough conditions,” Ms Barr said.
“FarmBis surveys have indicated that training improved participants’ businesses, sustainability, profits, productivity and practical information was provided to help them put what they learn into practice.
“Such relevant training, whether it be in risk analysis, marketing, financial planning or governance should be viewed as an important asset in helping businesses grow and adapt.”
FarmBis offers support of up to 65 percent of the total cost of training. For more information on what courses are being delivered in your area visit www.farmbis.sa.gov.au.
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| Planning for recovery |
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There has been positive feedback in response to the 21 ‘Planning for Recovery’ sessions held around the State.
These sessions are an integral part of the Planning for Recovery Program, designed to provide extra support to the recovery phase for those affected by drought and in receipt of the Interest Rate Subsidy component of Exceptional Circumstances support.
Attendance at a half-day Planning for Recovery session is an essential step in accessing the program and can assist with business planning and support.
To date, more than 230 businesses have attended a session with another six planned.
Future sessions are currently scheduled for:
Kimba |
1.30 pm Thursday 16 August, Kimba Hotel
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Bordertown
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1.30pm Wednesday 22 August, Bordertown Footy Club
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Karoonda
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9 am Thursday 23 August, Karoonda Hotel
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Waikerie
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9 am Tuesday 28 August, Waikerie Club
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Jamestown
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9 am Wednesday 29 August, Jamestown Railway Hotel
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Quorn
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1.30pm Wednesday 29 August, Quorn Austral Hotel
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Detailed information and guidelines on the program and session dates are available via the Service SA website www.service.sa.gov.au/drought.asp. Guidelines are also sent to all approved interest rate subsidy recipients.
For more information: Brenton Growden or Neil Ackland.
Telephone 8688 3400.
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| Flying Foxes—look but don’t touch |
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South East residents are being reminded by the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) to be on the look out and report any sightings of the threatened Grey-headed Flying Fox, but not to touch them.
Flying foxes are usually found in eastern Victoria, eastern New South Wales and Queensland, however it seems the drought has lead to the flying foxes searching for food further afield, with DEH receiving sightings from Mount Gambier, Kongorong, Rendelsham and Woods Well on the Coorong.
People who find a sick or injured flying-fox are being advised to not touch it and contact DEH on 8735 1177. These animals are likely to scratch and bite when stressed, and a very low percentage of them carry a rabies-like virus than can be harmful to humans.
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| Lifting Riverland spirits |
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Women in Horticulture have held the first of three ‘Lifting Riverland Spirits’ events in Loxton on Sunday with help from a State Government community support grant.
The free family barbecue get togethers aim to bring together irrigators, farmers and other community members to raise spirits, talk about support available and to let people know everyone is facing the drought together.
A second event will be held on Sunday 26 August at the Renmark Rovers Football Club from noon until 3 pm and a third at Waikerie Football Club from noon until 3pm on Sunday, 9 September.
For the latest listing of River Murray Drought Events including seminars, field days and workshops for irrigators visit:
www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/44058/drought_events_calendar.pdf.
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Drought E-News is a regular newsletter updating the State Government’s drought response. If you’ve been forwarded this E-News and you would like to subscribe, click on the link below, complete the details and you will receive drought E-News in the future.
Feedback is always welcome, email Drought News.
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