Everyone has a responsibility to manage biosecurity on their own property with their own animals. To start us off, hear from Brett Davidson, Dairy Regional Manager for Agriculture Victoria and Rachael Laukart, Education Officer with the RSPCA about how they are helping producers manage risk and explain the biosecurity fundamentals of managing a small-scale landholding.

In this episode we hear from Jill Noble from Hallston Valley farms who has biosecurity front of mind every single day, as she's part of a farming operation that is diverse and some would argue is exposed to more biosecurity risks than most.

The effects of a disaster are felt long after the event. Support services and organisations are in for the long haul and available long after the event to help farmers recover.

Sally Cunningham is the Flood Recovery Manager with the National Centre for Farmer Health and who is available, along with Brad Costin and Brett Davidson from Agriculture Victoria to assist individuals and communities with the recovery.

Note: All information was correct at the time of recording in October 2023.

There are a number of simple steps that can be taken to help manage the biosecurity basics on-farm.

Hear from Erica Smith from Glenstrae Highlands how she went about implementing these basics when she set up her property in Victoria. Richard Smith from Agriculture Victoria then talks you through how you can further reduce biosecurity risk to your property.

Welcome to season 8 of AgVic Talk which is a collaboration with RSPCA Victoria, Biosecurity Basics.

This season will cover everything you need to know about biosecurity. We'll hear from farmers from all walks of life about the types of practical things they've put in place on their properties and how you can do the same. Experts from RSPCA Victoria and Agriculture Victoria will also share their knowledge on how you can build biosecurity into your day-to-day farming practices. It doesn't matter how many animals you have, how big or small your property is, biosecurity is everyone's business.

During the 2022 floods, Seymour market gardener Chloe Fox evacuated chickens by kayak as flood water rose and inundated her farm.

Listen to Chloe’s remarkable story of resilience and her road to recovery.

Note: Rural Finance administers the Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grants on behalf of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.

Being flooded 6 times in one season is beyond comprehension.

Matthew Partridge, Operation Manager from De Bortoli Wines is flipping this on its head and using it as an opportunity to put processes in place to better deal with a changing climate whilst looking after his staff.

If you didn't service your farm machinery what would happen?

Treat your body like you treat your machinery, take an hour for yourself. It's an investment in your own body and in your business to ensure you are here into the future to do the work that you need to do.

This is the message that Claire Harrison and those at Active Farmers live by to help foster resilience in rural and regional communities.

Rebuilding and recovering when your livelihood has been washed away overnight is hard. However, you are not alone with some remarkable people and organisations lending a helping hand along the way.

Bianca Jones, a Central Victorian farmer shares her story of resilience and the ‘angels’ that helped them along the way following the 2022 floods. One such organisation was the Rural Financial Counselling Service and Anna McGee explains how they reached out to farmers not long after the floods peaked.

Note: The Rural Financing Counselling Service mentioned by Bianca is the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

Content warning – This podcast contains content about suicide. If this episode raises concerns or issues with your mental health visit beyondblue.org.au or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Your mental health is important. Some days are better than others and we all need a helping hand from time to time.

Brad McEwan, Beyond Blue Ambassador discusses how personal trauma can be the hardest part of recovering from a disaster and why ‘Community’ is important on this road to recovery.