Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub

Stay informed with the latest updates from the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub as we close out 2024. In December’s #newsletter we celebrate #WorldSoilDay with an update on a #topsoil project and reflected on our progress across the board as we continue to support Victorian communities facing all #climatechallenges, including drought. Here’s a snapshot of what’s inside: • Meet Stephanie Rosestone, our #DroughtResilience Scholarship Awardee • New government drought plan released • Farmer in Focus: Bill Lee • #Carbon farming’s link to drought resilience • Practical #drought support measures, grants, and updates from our Nodes • Drought Resilience 2025 Conference details Visit the #VicHub website to explore these stories and access valuable resources. 🔗 Read it online on the Vic Hub website: https://lnkd.in/gtPCf5-C 👉 Direct link: https://lnkd.in/g-Xf6T9z #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #soils Faculty of Science Deakin University Federation University Australia La Trobe University Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) Mallee Regional Innovation Centre Riverine Plains Inc Food & Fibre Gippsland Agriculture Victoria

Stephanie Rosestone is one of the five researchers awarded the inaugural Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub #DroughtResilience Scholarship for her project titled ‘Embracing complex water futures together: critical futures thinking, creative imaginaries and co-production’. This workshop-based project is working with north-central Victorian land and water managers to better understand how these skills can enhance community resilience in the context of a dynamic and #changingclimate. The workshops use an experiential learning approach to build a stronger understanding of opportunities for collective agency to deliver cross agency outcomes for whole of region resilience. We interviewed Stephanie to gain deeper insights into her research journey and its potential impact on Australian agriculture. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gRHvZC-C #VicHub #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #droughtpreparedness #FutureDroughtFund La Trobe University

Join #VicHub partner Agriculture Victoria tomorrow for a free webinar about buying, selling and feeding out fodder, learn: • how to take a feed test • interpreting results • feeding livestock AgVic Livestock Extension Officer Fiona Baker will discuss how to take fodder samples for feed tests and how to interpret what the results mean. With her extensive expertise in feed management, Fiona will offer valuable guidance for farmers looking to source and manage livestock feed. 🌱 🌱 Agriculture Victoria is also offering one free feed test to support Victorian farmers in making the most of the event. 🌱 🌱 A limited number of tests are available. We encourage farmers to register now and attend the webinar to be eligible to receive a free feed test. If you have any questions, please contact workshop co-ordinator Hannah Manning: hannah.manning@agriculture.vic.gov.au Register for the free webinar: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gJn6j5_z The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government's Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund. #VicHub #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #WorldSoilDay #DroughtResilience Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

🌱 World Soil Day 2024 🌱 Today, we celebrate the foundation of all life – #soil! At the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub, we’re excited to highlight the “Grow More Topsoil” project today led by our Gippsland Node, Food & Fibre Gippsland. This innovative research explores ways to double the water-holding capacity of #topsoil and extend its depth to boost resilience against climate variability. This project has already demonstrated tangible benefits, including deeper root growth and enhanced moisture retention – which are both promising outcomes for farmers well beyond #Gippsland. Learn how collaboration, science and community connections are driving #soilinnovation. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gvdW6uVv #VicHub #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #WorldSoilDay #DroughtResilience

It’s been a busy month at the #VicHub. From practical support for farmers to updates on #drought leadership initiatives, we’re focused on connecting communities, industry and research to strengthen #droughtresilience. Here’s a snapshot of what’s in our November #newsletter. 🔹 #Scholarship update: Learn about Muhammad Adnan’s work with weeds & drought 🔹 Farmer in focus: Kyle Pearse shares #agtech solutions for drought resilience 🔹 Support for farmers: Resources and #grants available for those facing tough conditions 🔹 Read more: Drought leadership insights, updates and funding opportunities There’s plenty more to explore, including the latest on grants and events. Head to our website for the full article, and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. Let’s work together for a drought-resilient Victoria! 🔗 Read it online on the Vic Hub website: https://lnkd.in/gCTTpXnv 👉 Direct link: https://lnkd.in/gWF_RjRD #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #soils Federation University Australia La Trobe University University of Melbourne Deakin University Food & Fibre Gippsland Riverine Plains Inc Mallee Regional Innovation Centre Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Agriculture Victoria

Muhammad Adnan is one of the five researchers awarded the inaugural Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub #DroughtResilience Scholarship for his project titled ‘Studying the Impact of #Drought on the Biology of Weeds for Their Improved Management’. This study seeks to understand the relative tolerance of C3 and C4 weed species to drought, and then understand their potential for proliferation under different drought scenarios, and thus identify innovative ways to manage them. We interviewed Muhammad to gain deeper insights into his research journey and its potential impact on Australian agriculture. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gZn2sCR9 #VicHub #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #droughtpreparedness #FutureDroughtFund University of Melbourne Deakin University Federation University Australia La Trobe University Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) Mallee Regional Innovation Centre Riverine Plains Inc Food & Fibre Gippsland Agriculture Victoria

💡 Attention Victorian primary producers New funding is available through the On Farm Connectivity Program Round 2, providing up to $30,000 in rebates to enhance #digitalconnectivity on farms. Eligible primary producers can cover up to 50% of the cost of #smartfarming technology purchased through approved suppliers, helping to increase operational efficiency, improve on-farm safety and boost productivity. This program is part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, supporting the agricultural sector’s capacity to embrace digital solutions for a #resilient and #sustainable future. 🔹 Applications are open now but may close early if funding is fully allocated before April 30, 2025. If you're eligible, connect with an approved supplier to start your application and secure funding for a digitally connected and resilient future for Victoria’s agriculture sector. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gjd2Zv8s 🔗 Search all grants: https://lnkd.in/gnSF3q_U #VicDroughtHub #VicHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #droughtpreparedness #droughtresilience #drought

Ready for day 2! Yesterday, members of Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub HQ, along with delegates from Melbourne University’s Faculty of Science (School of #Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences) and Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, toured research sites with the #VicHub’s North-West Irrigated Horticulture Node, Mallee Regional Innovation Centre. Today we’ll tour #horticulture infrastructure sites around #Merbein and hear from Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Murray-Darling Basin Authority and tour Seaway Intermodal and Mildura Fruit Juices Australia. A great way to build the knowledge of what MRIC and the #Mildura region offers, and deepen understanding of where research can be directed to strengthen Victorian farming and regional communities’ #droughtpreparedness and #droughresilience. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gE-Aic7B #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #drought

Getting ready to launch the “Regional #Drought Consultations Summary Report (Part 2”) and “Blue-green algae: accumulation phenomenon and management strategies” report In #Mildura. The 60-strong crowd includes growers, along with regional stakeholders who were part of the stakeholder engagements, including many key senior people. Today’s report launch follows an informative farm tour by the #VicHub’s North-West Irrigated Horticulture Node, Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, for visiting academics from the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Science (School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES)) and Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. Stay tuned for results and outcomes from these two important reports. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g3dysxfR #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #droughtpreparedness

Applications closing at 9pm AEDT tomorrow! Two major grant programs to help foster #droughtresilience in Australian agriculture will close tomorrow. The Long-Term Trials of #DroughtResilient Farming Practices Program Round 2 offers $40.3m for large-scale trials in #drought resilient #farming, with an expanded list of eligible industries. The #ResilientLandscapes Program provides $40m to fund projects that use proven methods to strengthen #climateresilience and manage natural resources. Find more on the #VicHub website. Applications for both programs close on 19 November, 9pm AEDT. 🔗 Long-Term Trials: https://lnkd.in/gJ-EZ6Mm 🔗 Resilient Landscapes: https://lnkd.in/gE6ugrNb 🔗 Search all grants: https://lnkd.in/gnSF3q_U Image: Merinos wethers on vetch pasture in the LTT R1, Dookie. Credit: D Parnell #VicDroughtHub #AusAg #FutureDroughtFund #farming #soils #droughtpreparedness Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry