Online learning helps with on-farm decisions

Three new online courses are providing Victorian farmers with key information to help them better prepare and respond when dry seasonal conditions and other emergencies occur.

Agriculture Victoria agriculture recovery manager Jo Cameron said the web-based courses took about 30 minutes to complete and have been developed to assist farm business to prepare for key challenges they may face during difficult times.

“The courses cover three focus areas – stock containment areas (SCAs), irrigation management and soils and groundcover – which will be relevant to the grains, animal and irrigation industries across the state.

“They provide farmers with key information and strategies to manage through difficult operating conditions, including how to apply to their farm business.

“Each course will also help to identify key management practices relevant to their business, find practical steps to evaluate options and provide confidence to take control and discuss options with service providers or seek further assistance,” she said.

Ms Cameron said having access to timely and relevant information through these courses meant farmers could make sure they have updated their skills and knowledge and are ready to put them into practice before critical decisions have to be made.

“The beauty of these courses is in their simplicity and ease of use as they can be done at a time that suits farmers.

“Each course includes interactive activities, links to key information and practical examples to help farmers learn,” she said.

The new online learning modules complement existing information about managing resources in drought and bushfire recovery on the Agriculture Victoria website, including the recently updated ‘Recovery After Fire – practical steps for farmers’ booklet.

To access the learning management system online go to: https://learning.agriculture.vic.gov.au or the individual courses at:

Managing soils and ground cover https://go.vic.gov.au/g5Yw3i

Stock Containment Areas https://go.vic.gov.au/Lnt8mc

Irrigation decision support tool https://go.vic.gov.au/F7xo7L