Australian Young Farmer Challenge - Victorian State Final

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Victoria is currently seeking expression of interests for Teams of 4 to compete in the upcoming State Final of the Australian Young Farmer Challenge at Farm World on the 25th March 2022. Details are as per below including the criteria for team members. We are looking for around 12 teams and invite your expressions of interests by the 28th February 2022.

If you have someone/ a group in your Show Society that may be interested please pass this information onto them and if they have any questions please get them to contact VAS.

The Australian Young Farmer Challenge VAS Ltd & Melbourne Royal are looking at running the competition across the State starting with the challenge being held at our local shows then progressing to the State Final, which will be held at Melbourne Royal. This format will start to take place in 2022.

If you have a team interested for the upcoming State Final then send your details through with your team member names to info@vicagshows.com.au

Round Two Grants - Supporting Agricultural Shows & Field Days - Applications Open 28th January 2022

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For all cancelled Agricultural Shows or Field Days in 2021 due to COVID-19, round two grants open 28th January 2022. So you can now start preparing the documentation required based on the below criteria.

Eligible applicants will be able to claim eligible expenditure for events cancelled in the period from 01/01/2021 – 31/12/2021.

Maximum capped amounts are on offer:

  • Small Agricultural Shows & Field Days - Attendance Numbers up to 1999 attendees - Maximum grant available up to $10000

  • Medium Agricultural Shows & Field Days - Attendance Numbers 2000 - 4999 attendees - Maximum grant available up to $15000

  • Large Agricultural Shows & Field Days - Attendance Numbers 5000 attendees & over - Maximum grant available up to $70000

To be eligible to apply for the grant you must satisfy the following:

  • cancelled an agricultural show or field day that was scheduled to be held in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. An agricultural show or field day comprises a mixture of events, activities, displays, competitions and entertainment that together seek to showcase a broad range of the agriculture sector and animal husbandry, including its equipment, livestock, trade and innovation; AND

  • are members of Agricultural Shows Australia or are a member of a state and territory agricultural show society that is a member of Agricultural Shows Australia; OR

  • are a member of the Association of Agricultural Field Days Australasia and/or run Australian agricultural field day events that markets principally to the rural sector with at least 70 per cent of the total exhibit area being agricultural exhibitors, those that have products and services focused at the agricultural and horticultural sectors (the focus of these events must be on commercial agricultural enterprises, investment and innovation).

Grant Funds will be for eligible expenditure already incurred:

  • honorariums

  • wages and associated costs (including superannuation and bonuses)

  • rent

  • maintenance expenses (not increasing the value of an asset but maintenance, for example painting fences, groundwork etc)

  • rates

  • utilities, including electricity, gas and water (for any commercial premises the Agshow or Field Day society or field day organisers use to plan, manage or conduct the event that is subject to the application)

  • Insurance (including annual fees and compensation/public liability)

  • telecommunications

  • IT system maintenance and licensing costs

  • website costs

  • bank fees

  • fire alarms and equipment

  • cleaning supplies and services

  • national and state show body affiliation costs

  • audit fees – annual

  • audit fees – relating to this grant opportunity

  • food and beverage wastage, including where associated with marketing

  • marketing

  • ticketing

  • hire of equipment

  • contractors

  • set-up costs

  • security.

Applicants will be asked to sign a self-declaration stating that all expenses claimed are in line with the eligibility criteria outlined in the grant opportunity guidelines. Successful applicants may be asked to verify project costs and provide evidence of the costs claimed in the application.

For more information: https://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/infrastructure/supporting-ag-shows#victoria

Applications close 17th February 2022.

VAS Ltd Dairy Cattle Judging State Final

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On Sunday the 16th January at International Dairy Week, Tatura the VAS Ltd Dairy Cattle Judging State Final was held. Congratulations to the winner Imogen Steiner. She will now represent Victoria at the National Finals at Sydney Royal April 2022.

Winner - Imogen Steiner

2nd Place - Bradley Cochrane

3rd Place - Rhys Jansen Van beek

Thank you to Judge Ben Govett & the stewards for your assistance on the day.

VAS Ltd Dairy Cattle Parader State Final Results

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On Sunday the 16th January at International Dairy Week, Tatura the VAS Ltd Dairy Cattle Parader State Final was held. Congratulations to the winner Abbie Hanks. She will now represent Victoria at the National Finals at Sydney Royal April 2022.

Winner - Abbie Hanks

2nd Place - Renee Mugavin

3rd Place - Kasey Shields

Thank you to Judge Brendan Nicholson & the stewards for your assistance on the day.

Announcement - Alabar HERO Series - Saddle Horse Championships

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In continuing our great partnership with Harness Racing Victoria & HRV HERO it is pleasing to announce that at our 2022 Saddle Horse Championships to be held on the 8th & 9th January 2022 we will have the Alabar HERO Series Final that will require NO qualifications. This final will be open for all purebred freeze branded standardbreds registered with Harness Racing Australia.

Schedule will be available shortly with entries opening very soon.

For those that have qualified in a HERO event from January 2020 - March 2021, you will be contacted regarding your qualifications and eligibility to compete in Alabar HERO Series Show Qualifiers for the 2022 Show Season.