Thursday 20 November 2025

The science behind hay fires

Andrea Henry, Dairy Industry Development Officer, Maffra

Spontaneous combustion in hay occurs when internal heat builds up to the point of ignition, as a result of microbial activity and chemical reactions.

Unlike fires caused by lightning or machinery, spontaneous combustion is insidious: it starts deep within a haystack and can smoulder unnoticed until it erupts into flames.

How do spontaneous combustions happen?

Hay is an organic material rich in sugars, proteins and moisture – ideal conditions for microbial growth. When hay is baled too wet or stored before it has fully cured, bacteria and fungi begin to break down the plant matter. This microbial activity then generates heat.

What are the risk factors?

• High moisture content: Hay baled with more than 20% moisture is at risk. Mould growth and fermentation occur when moisture levels are between 20% and 35%.
• Dense packing: Tightly packed bales trap heat and moisture, accelerating microbial activity.
• Poor ventilation: Lack of airflow prevents heat from dispersing.
• Environmental conditions: Warm, humid weather.
• Storage practices: Storing hay in enclosed barns or sheds without monitoring.

Round 3 Request for Quotations now open for drought group-based events  

Join us in delivering the next phase of our drought technical decision-making group events program. 

We’re seeking applications from service providers across the state – agronomists, farm business planners and veterinarians to name a few – to deliver local group-based events in 2026. 

Applications are open until 11:59 pm on Sunday 21 December. 

Empowering young farmers to grow their futures

Agriculture Victoria is proud to support the future of agriculture through the Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship.  

Since 2015 there have been 146 new and emerging farmers who have received this scholarship and in 2025 there are three recipients who hail from Gippsland. 

Jacob Scicluna works full-time off farm but aspires to work full-time on his Riverslea beef and cropping farm and make it his primary income.  

He will use the scholarship to develop his skills in compost production and soil science to improve nutrient efficiency and fodder production.  

Jacob wants to have a deeper understanding of how soil interacts with crops as a cost-efficient way of increasing production and productivity while having a positive environmental impact.  

Bonnie Hiscock is a native flower grower in Stratford, specialising in proteas and is eager to build the skills needed to establish a successful agricultural flower career. 

Bonnie’s aspiration through this scholarship is to develop expertise in sustainable farming practices, plant health and resource management, to ensure the growth of a thriving flower farm.  

This grant will be essential in funding training courses and building the infrastructure for Bonnie to enhance post-harvest handling and production quality to create a viable business that positively contributes to the agricultural sector. 

Dominic Kearton is a viticulturist and vineyard operator from Phillip Island who aspires to one day own a regenerative focused vineyard. Dominic’s interest and focus is on using new technologies, coupled with innovative and sustainable practices, to reduce manual labour and agrochemical/fossil fuel usage.  

Dominic will complete a Remote Pilot Licence and Remote Operator Certificate for drone operation. He will also purchase a drone to explore its applicability in precision agriculture/viticulture, monitor his employer’s vineyard’s animal exclusion fencing for weaknesses/breach points and use the drone as a bird deterrent to stop them from eating the vines.  

To learn more about how Agriculture Victoria is investing in the next generation of farmers visit our website.

What to consider when siting stock containment areas

Greg Ferrier, Livestock Extension Officer

A stock containment area (SCA) provides many benefits to farm management, including during drought, seasonal extremes (dry and wet), after fire and for general farm management.

SCAs can help support a range of daily farming activities, including:

• stock feeding, watering and monitoring
• pasture management
• minimising erosion risks by avoiding over-grazing
• an area to manage potential weed introduction from introduced feeds.

When siting a SCA, landholders should consider the following:

• adequate setbacks to minimise risk of run-off to waterways
• location on moderately sloping, well drained, stable soil (e.g. clay or clay–loam), avoiding pen-to-pen drainage
• shade and shelter for stock
• distance to neighbours and local and state planning requirements.

When planning for and setting up a SCA, consider the following:

• Depending on liveweights, allow 5 to 10 square metres per sheep and 10 to 15 square metres per head of cattle.
• Avoid feeding directly from the ground.
• Use fencing suited to the type of animal to be managed.
• Locate feed points well away from water troughs to minimise contaminating the water source.
• Consider laneways and vehicle access.

Duties and fees relief package

The duties and fees relief package is helping to reduce the cost of doing business for drought affected primary producers.  

• Payment of livestock duties for the sale of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs paused until 30 September 2026.
• Primary producers won’t have to pay the standard processing fees when ordering NLIS tags (for orders placed from 1 October 2025 to 30 June 2026).
• Other livestock related fees and services for 2025–26 stay at the same rate as 2024–25. 

For further drought support visit our website or call 136 186. 

Reforming agricultural and veterinary chemicals licensing and fees 

Have your say on the proposed changes to agricultural and veterinary chemicals licence and permit frameworks and fees. 

The Australian Agriculture Ministers’ Forum (now known as the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting) agreed to national harmonisation reforms regarding the use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. These reforms include minimum training and licensing requirements for fee-for-service users of agricultural chemicals and criteria for licensing exemptions. To align with these reforms, Agriculture Victoria is proposing changes to the framework for licensing, permits and fees under Victoria’s Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 (AVCCOU Act). 

The changes proposed are to: 

• Agricultural Chemical User Permits 
• Commercial Operator Licenses 
• Licence and permit fees and terms, including aerial spraying.

The proposed changes aim to:

• align the framework with the national harmonisation agreement endorsed by all state and territory Agricultural Ministers 
• make sure that all users of higher risk chemicals are appropriately trained and chemical use risks are managed 
• update licensing and fee amounts to reflect cost modernisation and to continue to provide licensing and permit services for licensees and applicants. 

The proposed changes to all fees and terms under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 are in line with the Victorian Government’s Pricing for Value Guide. 

Anyone who holds, or is planning to hold any of the following licences or permits may be affected by the proposed changes: 

• Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP) 
• Commercial Operator Licence (COL) 
• Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL) 
• Pilot Chemical Rating Licence (PCRL) 
• permits issued under section 25A of the AVCCOU Act (1080 and PAPP) 
• Agricultural Chemical Control Area Permits. 

Creating new tourism opportunities in Gippsland

Noojee is in for a treat next year when the community hosts its first truffle festival, supported by the Victorian Government, to celebrate local flavours and show off the regions home grown produce.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $173,000 from the Forestry Transition Program’s Community Development Fund to help the Noojee & District Historical Society launch a new annual truffle festival.

The festival will showcase the locally grown black truffle with a feast of experiences for visitors, including food and produce workshops, farm gate tours, truffle hunts with dogs, cooking demonstrations and artisan market stalls.

Starting next year, the festival will be held for three weeks during harvest time in July and August. Funding will be provided over 3 years to put Noojee and the surrounding region on the map for tourists who enjoy truffles while supporting local producers and businesses.

The project has devolved from the Future of Noojee Local Development Strategy (LDS), designed to be community led and reflect local priorities and ambitions as communities transition away from native timber harvesting.

The Innovation Working Group developed the festival project alongside the Noojee Truffle Growers Group, who will provide $75,000 of in-kind support, including locally grown produce for cooking demonstrations, skills and knowledge sharing with local hospitality venues.

The Future of Noojee has been supported with $410,000 in funding through the Community Development Fund.

Noojee is 1 of 11 Victorian towns and communities receiving support to transition and implement new strategies in their local economy supported by the government’s Forestry Transition Program Community Development Fund.

For more information on forestry programs, visit our website.

Grant programs now open through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

As part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, two grant programs are now open through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). These grants offer funding for community-led projects that bring people together, build local capability and support wellbeing — practical initiatives that can strengthen communities now and into the future. 

What’s available? 

Small Network Grants are open to eligible groups across rural and remote Australia. Grants of up to $50,000 can support: 

• community events 
• learning and training activities 
• small infrastructure upgrades 
• initiatives that build local capability. 

Social Outcome Grants are open for organisations in one of the 50 approved Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) regions. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects that: 

• strengthen community networks 
• host events that bring people together  
• run workshops or training 
• upgrade small-scale infrastructure 
• support leadership and personal development. 

Why these grants matter 

Connected communities are stronger. No matter where we are in the drought cycle, there are always things we can do to support each other and build social cohesion. These grants can help fund activities that: 

• keep people connected and boost morale 
• share knowledge and skills 
• create safe, welcoming spaces. 

Apply now 

Applications close 11 December 2025. 

• Learn more about the Future Drought Fund Small Network Grants 
• Learn more about the Future Drought Fund Social Outcome Grants

Listen while you work

Hear farmers across Victoria chat about the agriculture sector, like using Ag Tech on-farm and improving farm safety from the paddock to the kitchen table.  

Farmers share their inspiring stories of managing the dynamic nature of farming, in droughts or recovering from fires and floods.   

Next time you’re out in the back paddock, driving the tractor, straining a fence, or harvesting a crop, put on a podcast that’s all about you.  

For further drought support visit our website or call 136 186. 

Resilient Farming event

Agriculture is facing increasing pressure from climate variability, resource constraints and shifting market demands. Resilient Farming focuses on practical strategies and innovations that help farmers strengthen their operations against these challenges while maintaining productivity and sustainability.

The event brings together farmers, researchers and industry experts to discuss resilience-building approaches across key areas – soil health, water efficiency, biodiversity and business planning. Participants will gain insights into regenerative practices, risk management tools and on-farm technologies that support adaptive decision-making.

When: 24 November
Where: Warragul
Time: 4 – 7 pm

Join us to discover how resilient farming practices can help secure a sustainable and profitable future for agriculture.

Webinar – Taking stock of feed quality 

Variable seasonal conditions impact quality and quantity of available pasture, silage, hay and grain. Now is the time to look at what ‘fuel’ – metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) – is available to manage livestock productivity through the season ahead. 

Join Dr Jill Kelly to explore the fundamentals of ruminant nutrition to drive performance of the rumen to support good productivity. Also hear from Julian Carroll and Ed Weatherly who use in-paddock weighing for cattle and sheep that assists understanding feed and animal performance. 

When: 2 December 
Where: Online 
Time: 12:30 –1:30 pm 

There are a limited number of free feed tests available to Victorian farmers attending, so register early! 

For more information, contact Greg Ferrier on 0438 738 634 or greg.ferrier@agriculture.vic.gov.au. 

Drought Ready Futures event

With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of drought, preparing for dry conditions is more important than ever. Drought Ready Futures focuses on building agricultural resilience through innovation, technology, and community collaboration.

The event will highlight adaptive strategies that support water efficiency, soil conservation, and long-term farm planning.

When: 9 December 
Where: Leongatha
Time: 3 – 5 pm

Participants will learn from case studies featuring producers who have successfully adapted to water scarcity through technology adoption, diversified farming systems, and improved resource management.

Experts will also discuss policy and research initiatives that empower farmers to plan ahead for drought, reducing risk and improving recovery. Drought Ready Futures is an essential forum for anyone committed to securing the future of farming in Australia’s variable climate.

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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