Catch up on latest animal health, biosecurity and traceability information at Dowerin
The latest animal health, biosecurity and traceability information will be available at this year’s Dowerin Field Days in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development shed.
Department vets will be joined by local private vets at the shed to demonstrate their partnership in supporting WA’s animal health surveillance.
Department Northam field veterinary officer Rod Thompson said animal health surveillance in Australia was delivered under a national framework and was designed to ensure market access and food safety.
Department vets work closely with private vets on a daily basis to protect Western Australia’s high biosecurity status.
Producers who visit the shed can benefit from expert local advice from local private and department vets about animal health and biosecurity issues on their property.
Dr Thompson said producers could pick up information at the display on how to access subsidised disease investigations that support our livestock market access as well as correct animal feed, biosecurity and responsible use of antibiotics in livestock.
A pig biosecurity guide will also be available, as well as information about how to prevent African swine fever in Australia’s pig populations.
Officers will also be on hand to help producers with National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database recording requirements, National Vendor Declarations (NVD) queries and to check brands details.
Information about the skeleton weed program will be available including display plants and distribution maps. The program is adopting new remote sensing data collection technology to complement traditional surveillance methods, with representatives from the company behind this technology also on hand to talk about their involvement.
The department’s biosecurity officers are teaming up with local area Recognised Biosecurity Groups to talk about best practice management of a range of declared pests including wild dogs, feral pigs and weed species like cactus.
Visitors can learn more about how to report pests and weeds to the department using MyPestGuide Reporter. There will also be reminders to clean and decontaminate before moving machinery.
Seasonal information to assist livestock producers will be available, with a focus on water and feed budgeting.
The department’s eConnected project team will be on-hand showcasing some new advances in on-farm technology and connectivity networks.
Large property maps will be available for farmers to check out their properties, and look up the current contact details the department has recorded against their properties for emergency management.
Visitors can learn more about climate-ready agriculture, including water efficiency, removing soil constraints and improving soil condition.
Displays from Regional Men’s Health, Perth NRM, Muresk, Murdoch University and University of Western Australia will also be hosted in the shed, which can be found along Uberin Street.