Huge turnout for biosecurity workshops

Seventy-two per cent of all QDO members attended the workshops which proved an incredible need and desire for industry to properly address on-farm biosecurity practices. An astonishing 98pc of QDO members attended the workshops on the Tablelands in Malanda and Millaa Millaa. A big thank you goes out to QDO North Queensland Councillor James Geraghty as well as Tom Hamilton, Glen Drury, Des Trevor and Bob Kelso for making sure their regions’ farmers were up to speed with their biosecurity obligations.

While most farmers are not the greatest fans of paperwork and meetings, a clear majority of those who attended the workshops gained a better appreciation of their biosecurity obligations. Each participant left with a clear list of on-farm activities to undertake to better manage biosecurity risks.

QDO would like to thank the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), specifically Lawrence Gavey and his team of local vets and stock inspectors, for helping to organise and deliver the workshops. Without their assistance and expertise, the workshops would not have been possible.

Most importantly, the workshops created mutually beneficially relationships by linking dairy farmers to local DAF staff. These connections are in the interest of all parties to manage and continue fostering a productive dairy industry in the state. The workshops were a great example of industry and government working constructively together for the benefit of both farmers and the dairy community as a whole.

QDO intends to hold a webinar in January 2018 to assist members who missed out on attending a workshop. Farmers interested are encouraged to contact the QDO office.

The next biosecurity issue for dairy farmers to address will be providing slurry tests for Bovine Johnes Disease (BJD). In early 2018, QDO will contact members to see what service should be undertaken to benefit their farm practices.