Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary Industries

Farmbis Helps Small Landholders With Natural Resource Management

Over the past decade, there has been significant ‘urban push’ with individuals, couples and families choosing to live a rural lifestyle.

By Department of Primary Industries - 25th June 2003 - Back to News

This change has been a boost to many dwindling rural populations, but skills required to manage land and the environment sustainably are often lacking. Managing the natural resources is one skill area that, if done poorly, can have a big impact on not only the landscape, but also the whole community.

For example, if a small landholder mismanaged his/her finances, production or marketing, then quite often it is only their own business that wears the fall-out. Mismanaging natural resources however, can have far reaching impacts. Think about weed management, chemical applications, effluent disposal and pest animal controls to name a few.

As a small landholder or manager, where do you go to get the necessary skills to manage your part of our natural environment sustainably and effectively?

A number of courses that target natural resource management (NRM) training have been subsidised by FarmBis (a Government subsidy program for primary producers and land managers). A number of these courses attract a 90 per cent subsidy, making the training very affordable. Whilst land managers with two hectares or more of land are eligible only for this training, primary producers are able to access all management training which attracts a 75 per cent subsidy.

Courses approved at the higher level subsidy for both land managers and primary producers include:

Courses are run across the state at varying locations and times. FarmBis suggests that you contact the training provider directly for course details and costs.

For more information, contact Brian Greer, FarmBis Co-ordinator, East Gippsland, on 5152 0637 or Glenn Digby, FarmBis Co-ordinator, West Gippsland, on 56 629906 to discuss the range of other NRM courses on offer.

NLIS IDENTIFICATION ENFORCEMENT

Chris Bollen, Animal Health Officer, Maffra.

With the support of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) Implementation Advisory Committee, Department of Primary Industry (DPI) Animal Health staff will in the future be more actively enforcing NLIS legislation. As part of this initiative, DPI staff plan to attend selected store sales over the coming weeks.

Producers who have consigned store cattle that are not NLIS identified will be given the option of taking their cattle home. Producers who permit their cattle to be sold without NLIS tags will be interviewed and face the prospect of a $200 fine.

Bobby calves less than 6 weeks of age, not accompanied by their dams, that are consigned to a saleyard for the purpose of sale for slaughter are exempt. Cattle from interstate are also exempt. For such cattle, buyers must obtain orange Post-breeder Tags and tag the cattle they have purchased within 30 days.

In addition, DPI staff will monitor the store sale to ensure that buyers provide selling agents with their Property Identification Code (PIC), or alternatively details of the property to which purchased cattle will be taken. They will also liaise with agents to ensure that the PIC information supplied by buyers is recorded and can be accessed, if/when required, for tracing purposes and to facilitate the registration of movements on the NLIS database.

Producers who intend to sell cattle must ensure their cattle are correctly identified with NLIS tags. All cattle sold at a store sale have to be electronically tagged. At a fat cattle sale, all cattle born after 1st January 2002 have to be electronically ear tagged.

At this stage all cattle at both fat and store sales have to have transaction tags (approved tail tags for cattle with tails and approved ear tags for docked tailed cattle).

Once cattle have been tagged with an electronic NLIS ear tag this tag is never to be removed or replaced. Cattle have to be ear tagged with an electronic breeder or post breeder once only and this tag stays with them for life.

For more information on tagging requirements contact local Animal Health staff at DPI Offices at Bairnsdale 5152 0600, Maffra 5147 0831, Ellinbank, 5624 2222, Leongatha 5662 9900 or Box Hill 9296 4400.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Danny O'Brien says reduced bonus helps some, but bungled energy policies and digital-only access hurt households
  The state's Power Saving Bonus has been cut from $250 to $100 and is now limited to concession card holders, leaving many Gippsland households without relief despite rising energy costs.
• Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations effective from 1 January 2026
  Danny O’Brien urged Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations from 1 January 2026, warning compliance is essential to avoid penalties despite Nationals’ opposition.
• East Bairnsdale drain transformed into natural wetland enhancing biodiversity, stormwater management, and facilities near Jones Bay
  A neglected East Bairnsdale drain has been transformed into a natural wetland near Jones Bay, enhancing stormwater management, biodiversity, flood mitigation, and community amenity through a $1.43 million collaborative project.
• East Gippsland Business Support Voucher Program boosts small businesses through tailored mentoring and strategic growth guidance
  Orbost Snowy River Cycling benefited from East Gippsland Council Business Support Voucher Program, receiving tailored mentoring that strengthened business planning, resilience, and growth, enabling expansion and long-term success in the region.
• Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to support local artisans, makers, and small businesses this holiday season
  Federal Member Darren Chester encourages Gippslanders to shop local this Christmas, supporting artisans, makers, and small businesses like Emporium 3844, boosting the regional economy and celebrating community talent.
• Baw Baw Shire Council adopts 2025 - 2029 Road Management Plan, updating registers for safe, sustainable, community-focused roads and footpaths
  Baw Baw Shire Council has endorsed the 2025-2029 Road Management Plan, updating public road and footpath registers, removing recreational Walhalla Road sections, and ensuring safe, sustainable local road management.
• Bass Coast Council adopts 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to support responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan, promoting responsible pet ownership, wildlife protection, and safer shared spaces shaped by extensive community consultation and environmental stewardship goals.
• East Gippsland Council endorses Coastal and Marine Management Plan to protect treasured coastline sustainably
  East Gippsland Shire Council has endorsed the Coastal and Marine Management Plan, providing a coordinated framework to protect and sustainably manage coastal reserves with community, Traditional Owner, and stakeholder input.
• Baw Baw Shire Council endorses 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to promote safety, welfare, responsible ownership
  Baw Baw Council has endorsed the 2026-2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to promote responsible pet ownership, enhance animal welfare, ensure community safety, and guide strategic animal management over the next four years.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Wellington Shire Council seeks feedback on the Domestic Animal Management Plan Review until 24 September 2025
  Wellington Shire Council's draft Domestic Animal Management Plan outlines priorities for responsible pet ownership, safety, and welfare, inviting community feedback from 28 August to 24 September 2025.