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Reduce Weeds With Clean Machine Hygiene

Weedstop training focusing on the importance of fodder machinery hygiene and clean-down practices will be held on February 18 in Warragul.

By Department of Primary Industries - 4th February 2010 - Back to News

Industry Engagement in Prevention Partnerships Officer Michelle Patrick said the comprehensive, hands-on, one day course explains effective and efficient vehicle hygiene practices to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants and plant diseases.

"This useful course is specially designed for farmers or fodder contractors who move from farm to farm doing harvest work in Gippsland or other regions," Ms Patrick said.

Developed originally by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), WeedStop training covers weed recognition and identification, processes and vectors of weed spread, job planning to minimise weed and disease spread, inspection and cleaning of vehicles and machinery, keeping records and reporting.

The training will be run by the Australian Agricultural Contractors Association Inc. (AACAInc) with support from DPI.

AACAInc was the first in the fodder industry to undertake Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment for the purposes of delivering WeedStop training.

"AACAInc will run the WeedStop training sessions to build the capacity of its members and the broader fodder industry," Ms Patrick said.

"This benefits the whole community by increasing the standing of accredited contractors and the agricultural industry as a whole."

AACAInc Secretary Len Smyth said accreditation, when used correctly, gives contractors a commercial edge over unaccredited contractors.

"This will be vital when working for local and state governments or biodiversity conscious farmers," Mr Smyth said.

The WeedStop training workshops identify important information for agricultural industry participants under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CALP).

Ms Patrick said course participants learn about their legislative obligations under the CALP Act, and how to practically apply vehicle hygiene methods to maintain compliance.

"The Certificate IV in Workplace Training evolved from collaboration between the Victorian Government and the fodder industry as part of a Weed Management Grant program sponsored by the Weeds and Pests Initiative, Industry Engagement in Prevention project," she said.

"These workshops can be tailored to suit the individual needs of contractors and will contribute to vital business planning."

Weedstop training will be held at the Education Centre Gippsland (McMillan), Warragul-Korumburra Road, Warragul on Thursday, February 18, 2010.

For more information on WeedStop or the Industry Engagement in Prevention Project, please contact Michelle Patrick at michelle.patrick@dpi.vic.gov.au or the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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