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Thursday 2 July 2026
H5 bird flu update
This disease is not present in Victoria, but it’s a timely reminder to stay aware.
If you see sick or dead birds:
- AVOID contact
- RECORD what you see
- REPORT it to 1800 675 888 or via agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportdeadbirds
Report 5 or more dead birds anywhere in Victoria, or even 1 high risk species like marine mammals, seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey.
Webinar: Understanding H5 bird flu
When: Thursday 2 July, 6 pm
Where: Online
Hear from Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke on H5N1 avian influenza.
The session will cover what it is, the current situation, animals at risk and the potential impacts for producers.
It will also include Victoria’s response and practical biosecurity measures producers can take to help protect their animals and property.
Planting more trees on farm
Landholders across Victoria are being supported to integrate more trees into their farming systems, following an extension of the Victorian Trees on Farms Program.
The program and Professional Service Provider Register has been extended to 1 November 2026, giving eligible landholders more time to apply for grants to establish trees on their properties.
Through the Victorian Trees on Farms Program, landholders can access grants of up to $40,000 to deliver on-ground works such as shelterbelts, riparian planting and revegetation projects.
Locust spring update for north-west Victoria
Land managers in north-west Victoria are encouraged to prepare now for possible locust activity in spring.
The Mallee has a moderate to high chance of high numbers of young locusts hatching in late September onwards.
The Wimmera has a low to moderate chance of high numbers of young locusts hatching in early October onwards.
Land managers are responsible for controlling locusts on their land.
The best time to control locusts is about 2 weeks after hatching, when they are young and can't yet fly.
Land managers can also help by checking paddocks and reporting any signs of locusts.
Reporting helps improve forecasting and supports control decisions.
This advice is for people in Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera.
Keeping puppy protection laws up to date
The Victorian Government is reviewing Victoria's dog breeding laws to ensure sure they continue to protect animal welfare.
Victorians love their pets and expect them to come from responsible breeders.
That’s why we’re reviewing the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to make sure our laws continue to reflect public expectations and uphold high standards of animal care.
Mike Gooey appointed inaugural Safe Food Victoria CEO
Pictured: Mike Gooey is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Safe Food Victoria
The Safe Food Victoria board has appointed Mike Gooey as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer following a competitive recruitment process.
Mr. Gooey brings over 20 years of agricultural and regional public sector experience to the position, including across food safety, regulation and economic development.
Previously working as the Executive Director - Local Government Victoria for the last 5 years, Mr Gooey commenced the role on 1 July, the day Safe Food Victoria commenced operations.
Safe Food Victoria up and running
Victoria’s new streamlined food regulator Safe Food Victoria will cut red tape, making it easier to get fresh food to families.
Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle visited Meredith Dairy with Safe Food Victoria Chair Luke Wilson and CEO Mike Gooey to mark the start of operations.
The business is 1 of 12,000 regulated food producers set to benefit from the new regulator.
New digital disease management tool to support grain growers
A new digital decision support tool is now online to help grain growers manage a serious crop disease and optimise paddock potential.
The SeptoriaTriticiWM app was developed by the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Agriculture Victoria, with co-investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
SeptoriaTriticiWM is the latest decision support tool in the WM (wheat management) series. It will assist wheat growers to target treatments for septoria tritici blotch, a foliar disease that occurs in NSW, Victoria and South Australia in high to medium rainfall areas, although prevalence is rising in the low rainfall zone.
Bushfire information
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan
Pictured: RIC Drought Hardship Loans are available for farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts.
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support: drought.gov.au
GRDC webinar: Canola disease management in 2026
When: Friday 3 July, 11:30 am
Where: online
With crops across the southern region established earlier than usual, growers are reporting increased disease pressure.
Join Angela Van de Wouw (Marcroft Grains Pathology), Dr Nicole Thompson (SARDI), Dr Maarten van Helden (SARDI) and Dr Narelle Nancarrow (Agriculture Victoria) as they discuss current disease risks and practical management strategies for canola crops.
Topics include:
- Managing disease in early established crops and understanding the implications of current seasonal conditions
- Current disease risks in canola including blackleg and turnip yellows virus (TuYV) / green peach aphid (GPA)
- Disease identification
- Seasonal outlook and implications for disease development
- Practical integrated disease management tactics
- Fungicide resistance considerations.
Southern Farming Systems Winter Crop Walk – Inverleigh and Streatham
When: Tuesday 14 July (Inverleigh) / Wednesday 15 July (Streatham)
Where: 3888 Hamilton Highway Inverleigh / 3524 Eurambeen Streatham Road Streatham
Cost: Free
Producers and industry stakeholders are invited to come out and get among the trials in South West Victoria. Join us for a tour around the sites and get in touch with our latest research.
RSVP by Monday 13 July.
For more information, contact Michelle McClure (SFS): 0488 600 692.
Southern Farming Systems Winter Crop Walk – Hamilton
When: Wednesday 29 July
Where: Cereal Crop Site: Skene Homestead Old Drive (off Forts Rd), Canola Crop Site: north end of Skene Woolshed Road
Cost: Free
Producers and industry stakeholders are invited to come out and get among the trials in South West Victoria. Join us for a tour around the sites and get in touch with our latest research.
RSVP by Monday 27 July.
For more information, contact Michelle McClure (SFS): 0488 600 692.
GRDC Farm Business Update – Does every hectare earn its place?
When: Thursday 9 July, 1-2 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Does every hectare earn its place in your business? Whether land is owned, leased or sharefarmed, every block consumes capital, management time and involves risk.
This session will challenge growers to look beyond yield and assess how each parcel contributes to whole-farm profitability and resilience. Exploring practical ways to evaluate the profitability, production capacity and cost structure of individual land parcels, regardless of how they are held.
Presenter Tony Hudson will examine how ownership models influence returns, the role in business growth that leasing and sharefarming can play, and how underperforming blocks, capital and management decisions, and help answer some of the most important questions in farming.
Aboriginal business procurement information session
When: Thursday 30 July, 12-1 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Join Agriculture Victoria and Kinaway Chamber of Commerce for an online information session. Learn how Aboriginal businesses can supply goods and services to Agriculture Victoria.
What you will learn:
- What Agriculture Victoria buys
- Where we work across Victoria
- Where procurement opportunities may be available
- How our procurement processes work
- Future opportunities and support available.
Aboriginal-owned businesses from all industries are encouraged to attend.
Success with succession planning – Skipton
When: Tuesday 18 August, 8:30 am (for 9 am start) – 2:30 pm
Where: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, Geelong Road Skipton
Cost: Free
Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke will work with participants to understand the success factors and common pitfalls in farm succession, ensuring the legacy continues, the business remains viable, wealth grows and families stay connected for generations to come.
Registration is essential. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to farming families before advisers.
For further information, contact Julio Vargas (0428 316 018) or Kate McCue (0407 099 793).
Success with succession planning – Lake Bolac
When: Wednesday 19 August, 8:30 am (for 9 am start) – 2:30 pm
Where: Lake Bolac Football Netball Clubrooms, Frontage Road Lake Bolac
Cost: Free
Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke will work with participants to understand the success factors and common pitfalls in farm succession, ensuring the legacy continues, the business remains viable, wealth grows and families stay connected for generations to come.
Registration is essential. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to farming families before advisers.
For further information, contact Julio Vargas (0428 316 018) or Kate McCue (0407 099 793).
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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