Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Charles Milne

VICTORIA’S readiness for a sheep disease outbreak will be outlined by the state’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Charles Milne at the 2016 BestWool/BestLamb conference in Bendigo on June 21-22.

At the pre-conference dinner on June 21, Dr Milne will address the question: How likely is a sheep disease outbreak in Victoria, and is the livestock industry prepared to deal with such an event?

Dr Milne will talk about his experiences in operational and management roles in two outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Scotland and will also cover the likelihood, impact and preparedness for an FMD outbreak in Victoria.

The 2016 BestWool/BestLamb Conference day proceedings will be held at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre on Wednesday June 22. The program will feature technical presentations from Rabobank, New Zealand Merino and OMJ Agricultural Consulting in addition to practical demonstrations. The technical seminars will cover topics including labour efficiency; flock productivity; weed control; animal health and nutrition; disease identification, cost and prevention; flock genetics and on-farm water security.

BestWool/BestLamb chair Jason Trompf said hundreds of farmers are expected to take advantage of the information and expertise provided during the conference.

BestWool/BestLamb, in partnership with Australian Wool Innovation Limited, is an information-sharing network for sheep producers. Producer discussion groups form the core of the program, with group members meeting regularly for farm walks, training workshops and information sessions. Telephone seminars, innovative research and development projects and producer demonstration sites compliment the on-farm focus of the program.

For more information and registration details, visit the BestWool-BestLamb 2016 Conference website:BestWool/BestLamb Conference page or call Cathy Mulligan, BestWool/BestLamb project officer on (03) 5258 0229.

Click here for the BestWool/BestLamb Conference program.