Dairy effluent ponds should be on ‘todo’ list,EPA says

EPA Victoria (EPA) officers returning from inspections in South Gippsland’s dairying districts say farmers should be putting dairy effluent ponds on their ‘to do’ list before winter sets in.

The officers visited 10 farms and issued one official warning, but in most cases, gave compliance advice to help farmers to keep their dairy effluent management systems up to standard.

EPA Gippsland regional manager, Jessica Bandiera, says last year’s wet spring and flooding in parts of the statewere reminders of the hazards of an overgrownorbacked-up dairyeffluent system.

“The threat from aneglected dairy effluent management system is in overflows and leaks, and any rainy weather can sendbacked-up effluent pouring over the edge,” Ms Bandiera said.

“Dairy farmers need to get somemaintenance done on their dairy effluentponds, pumps and pipes as soon as they can.

“It’s the most effective way to make sure dairy

Parkinson better egg

FORMER Fish Creek egg farmer Meg Parkinson has been elected unopposed as presidentofthe Victorian Farmers Federation Eggs Council.

Tony Nesci has been elected vice-president, also unopposed.

The VFF recently announced the outcome of elections for the 2023 VFF Eggs Council.

Ms Parkinson has an extensive background in Victorianagriculture as aformer egg farmer from Fish Creek.

She is aVFF life member and has aconsiderable background involvementwith theVFF as aprevious deputy president on the VFF board, chair of Farrer House,trustee of the Disaster Relief Fund, chair of the Animal Welfare and Industrial Committees, VFF Egg Group president and intensive commodities representative on the VFF board.

Mr Nesci has been involved in the egg industry for more than 60 years.

His family were market gardeners when he was achild and Tony then branched out into egg farming after acareer in sales. He has considerable management experience within the industry and is passionate about progressing the future for all growers.

VFF acting returning officer, Brendan Tatham, congratulate the two on their elections.

“I look forward to working with them and the wider VFFteamtohelp deliver for egg growers throughout Victoria over the coming years,” he said.

Mr Tatham said the VFF would like to thank outgoing VFF Egg Council presidentBrian Ahmed for his work on behalf of Victorian egg farmers.

“The VFF would like to thank outgoing Brian Ahmed for his dedication and passion to the role and wish we him the very best for the future,” he said.

TheVFF would alsolike to congratulate the councillors which have also been returned uncontested: Andrew Postregna and Lou Napolitano.

effluentisafertiliser that’s good for your farm, not apollutantthatthreatens waterways and neighbouring properties.”

The pollutants can include:

• Nutrients; • Pesticides; • Fertilisers; • Milk fromwashdown, spillageand waste milk,and;

• Contaminated soil washed away by heavy rain.

Letting those pollutants escape intochannels, drains and waterways can reduce oxygenlevels, kill aquatic life, encourage toxic algae and create the danger of disease.

“Dairy farmers can prevent effluent ponds from overflowing by de-sludging, controlling weeds and irrigating the water component to pasture when weather conditions are appropriate,” Ms Bandiera said.

“The end of summer is the best time to clean out ponds ahead of winter wet weather, while keeping effluentirrigation equipment in good condition and preparing to deal with any pipe or pump failures.”