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Thursday 16 October 2025
Drought support available now
Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.
Our website provides information on available support, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services, and links to other organisations that can help.
You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.
Plus, find out about upcoming events in your region and online www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or by calling 136 186.
Is hay the best option for your crop this season?
Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.
To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.
‘Growers are facing elevated seasonal risks this year due to below average growing season rainfall,’ Mr Boyd said.
‘Our calculators will help farmers check how well their crops are doing for grain and weigh up whether it’s better to use them for fodder and optimise outcomes in a challenging season.’
The Dry Matter Calculator helps farmers work out how much dry matter their crops may yield in tonnes per hectare so they can decide the best time to cut hay.
The Hay versus Grain Calculator compares the gross margin of both hay and grain in dollars per hectare, offering a picture of potential profitability.
The Crop Yield Calculator helps farmers quickly estimate cereal crop yield in the field using a ruler and smartphone. It’s a practical mid-spring tool for assessing paddock performance, forecasting grain quality, and planning harvest logistics.
Together, these tools can help farmers to make confident, data-driven decisions in the field. To use these calculators visit the following links:
- Dry matter calculator https://go.vic.gov.au/3L3eO0R
- Hay versus grain calculator https://go.vic.gov.au/42y8THb
- Crop yield calculator www.extensionaus.com.au/soilmoisturemonitoring/crop-yield-calculator
For information on available drought support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
AgTech showcase officially launches in Victoria
The Victorian Government is proud to support the launch of evokeAG 2026 – an internationally renowned agriculture and innovation event coming back to Melbourne.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence joined industry leaders at the launch to recognise AgriFutures Australia’s event that will be held across multiple days in February 2026.
Over 2 days, the event – hosted in Victoria for the first time since 2020 – will welcome more than 2,000 delegates from around 20 countries, and more than 50 startups, to discuss the latest innovations in agriculture sector.
Got chooks? Sign up for Poultry Post
Got chooks? Stay in the loop with Poultry Post.
Whether you keep one chicken or a whole flock, Poultry Post is your go-to newsletter for biosecurity tips, H5 bird flu updates, and expert advice to keep your birds safe.
Together, we can protect Australia’s poultry and wild bird populations.
Watch for Phalaris poisoning in livestock
After months of dry conditions, recent rains have brought a lush flush of green growth across the region — but along with it comes a hidden danger for livestock: Phalaris toxicity.
Livestock producers are being urged to monitor their animals closely, as grazing on young Phalaris grass, particularly when there is little other feed available, can lead to severe illness or even sudden death.
Phalaris grass is particularly dangerous in its early growth stage — usually the first 6 weeks.
During this period, the plant contains toxic alkaloids that can trigger Phalaris staggers, a condition affecting coordination and mobility. Another threat, Phalaris sudden death syndrome, arises from high ammonia levels in the animal’s system. Sheep are especially vulnerable, while cattle are somewhat less so.
Interestingly, kangaroos are also very susceptible. Numerous cases of Phalaris staggers in kangaroos have recently been seen. Phalaris staggers may not appear immediately. Symptoms can develop between 10 days and 4 months after grazing the pasture.
Animals may stagger or stumble, adopt a ‘bunny hop’ gait, nod their heads, struggle to stand or eat, and lose weight. Some sheep may recover but remain permanently affected.
Sudden death syndrome is far more rapid. Signs, which typically emerge 12 to 36 hours after grazing, include breathing difficulties and blue-coloured gums, often leading to death within hours.
If Phalaris toxicity is suspected, affected animals should be removed slowly but immediately from the pasture to reduce further risk.
Preventive measures include:
- limiting grazing during the first 2 days to only a few hours per day
- managing stocking rates carefully
- providing hay before turning stock onto pasture to reduce overeating in cobalt-deficient areas, cobalt supplementation may help reduce the risk of Phalaris staggers, although it does not prevent sudden death syndrome.
Producers concerned about Phalaris toxicity should contact their local veterinarian, their Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
Monitoring worms essential this spring
Drought conditions over winter may have compromised the condition of sheep and reduced their resistance to internal parasites.
Short pastures and prolonged grazing close to the ground can increase the risk of worm larvae uptake.
Although pasture growth in spring typically lowers susceptibility, it remains essential to stay vigilant—particularly at and after weaning when young animals are most vulnerable.
Drive change: Be the next VGT Chair
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) is seeking a passionate and strategic leader to step into the role of Chair.
This is a unique opportunity to guide the development of VGT’s new gorse strategy and help shape the future direction of community-led pest plant management across the state.
As Chair, you’ll work closely with landholders, community groups, and government partners to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and ensure gorse control efforts are effective and sustainable.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and lead the next chapter of VGT’s work, we encourage you to apply. Applications close 7 November.
Click here for more information and a copy of the position description.
More drought support
The Victorian Drought Freight Network
The Victorian Drought Freight Network is supporting fodder and grain movements on key freight routes in south west Victoria.
As part of the network we are also providing a free and tailored service to suppliers, transporters and farmers to help them efficiently navigate the permit requirements to bring feed into Victoria while managing biosecurity risks.
One-on-one farm advisory service
All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist.
The advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to help farmers take stock and develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is suited to your situation, from a consultant that you nominate from the registered panel.
Agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists and farm business advisors, can support you with:
- feed and water budgeting
- farm safety and workload management
- farm business and financial management
- soil health and pasture re-establishment
- animal health and welfare, and more.
For more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
On-farm kangaroo control rebate program
Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program now.
The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos.
Find more information on drought support: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Weathering the season - Beeac
Date and time: Wednesday 22 October from 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Location: Farmers Arms Hotel Beeac, 87 Main Street, Beeac.
FREE EVENT
We will have a discussion with local experts on animal health, feed and nutrition. Don't miss out on this opportunity to come together as a community and support each other through this challenging.
Farm fire preparedness webinar
Date and time: Monday 27 October from 7 - 8:15 pm
Online and free
Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital. Whether you’re a livestock producer, run a horticulture enterprise, a small landholder, or are new to farming it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season. Join us for this upcoming webinar about Farm Fire Preparedness.
Planning and preparing for the bushfire season includes identifying risks and undertaking tasks to prepare your farm well ahead of the fire season.
In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie and will discuss key preparedness activities, tools and templates to help you plan for the fire season. Landholders impacted by recent fires will share their stories of preparing for fire, putting a fire plan into practice and share information on the recovery process.
Topics include:
- preparing farm infrastructure
- farm asset inventories and insurance
- fire preparedness checklists, action plan and map
- planning for impacts and recovery
- updating your Property Identification Code (PIC)
RIC Webinar – Get ‘RIC Ready'
Date and time: Wednesday 29 October from 12 - 1 pm.
Free online webinar
Get ‘RIC Ready’ Webinar - an essential guide to help farm businesses, trusted advisers and interested stakeholders learn more about RIC loans.
Join our free webinar to understand more about eligibility criteria before applying and what you need to know before you submit an application for an Australian Government low-cost loan delivered by RIC (Regional Investment Corporation).
Boosting livestock performance with eID
Date and time: Friday 7 November from 3 - 5 pm
Join us for a webinar with a focus on the practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
Why should farmers attend?
Sheep eID allows for tracking individual animal performance with precision. By leveraging this data, farmers can unlock new opportunities to increase productivity across the flock and reduce emissions by identifying and managing high-impact animals.
Suitable for farmers just starting with eID or more experienced farmers looking to refine your data strategy.
Bushfire preparation workshop
Date and time: Saturday 8 November, half day workshop. Arrive from 9:10 am for morning tea, workshop runs 9:30 am – 1 pm.
Location: Heritage Fruit Trees, Beaufort Victoria (directions provided on booking).
What we’ll cover:
- choosing and using a basic fire pump
- rooftop sprinkler systems
- managing fuel loads effectively
- how we prepared our property to support firefighters
- how we decided to stay or go
- passive and active measures to boost bushfire readiness.
Your instructors:
- Rob Pelletier – horticulturist and proprietor of Heritage Fruit Trees.
- Kate Blood – horticulturist at Heritage Fruit Trees.
Zanda McDonald Award
Are you a rising star in the agriculture or rural sector?
The Zanda McDonald Award can help you realise your ambitions through life-changing mentoring, industry connections, and unique 'light-bulb moments'.
Tap into a dynamic network of leading ag professionals and take part in a fully funded trans-Tasman tour designed to fast-track your personal and professional growth.
Open to individuals aged 21–35 across Australia and New Zealand. Apply for the 2026 Award and unlock your full potential. Online applications are open 1–31 October.
www.zandamcdonaldaward.com
Contacting Agriculture Victoria
Call 136 186 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call (except for mobiles and public telephones).
If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service at 133 677 or visit the National Relay Service.
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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