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Thursday 6 March 2025
Summer weeds are flourishing in some areas
While summer rain is helpful for pasture and crop growth, it also promotes the growth of toxic weeds.
Heliotrope, pictured above, also known as potato weed, is one of the toxic weeds germinating following recent and sporadic rain.
Agriculture Victoria Meat and Wool Livestock Industry Development Officer Dr Hannah Manning said these plants flourish in degraded pastures after summer rain so the conditions have been perfect for weed growth.
‘Heliotrope contains a toxin known as pyrrolizidine alkaloid that damages livestock’s’ liver, which is also the same toxin that is found in Paterson’s curse,’ Dr Manning said.
‘Heliotrope is not tasty so stock tend to avoid it but if there is no other feed available, they will consume it.
‘The damage that is done is cumulative, which means, the liver damage increases each time an animal eats heliotrope. This may lead to liver failure or impaired copper metabolism leading to a build-up of copper in the liver.
‘All animals are susceptible to heliotrope poisoning.’
Signs of liver damage associated with heliotrope poisoning often occur soon after cattle and horses are exposed to heliotrope and large losses of stock occasionally occur.
Dr Manning said sheep are more affected by chronic copper poisoning which can result in sudden death when stored copper is suddenly released from the liver leading to a haemorrhagic crisis.
‘This can happen well after sheep have been exposed to Heliotrope.’
The control of heliotrope involves using a combination of pasture management, grazing management, cultivation, and chemical control, consult your pasture agronomist for advice.
Women on Farms Gathering 2025 in Benalla
Above: Dr Sara Hely
Healthy land, healthy women, healthy futures, 14-16 March
The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2025 Women on Farms Gathering (WoFG) in Benalla. The gathering, themed 'Stronger together, Shaping our future', will focus on healthy land, healthy women and healthy futures.
WoFG Chair Louise Armstrong expressed gratitude for the Vic Hub’s support.
'The Victoria Drought Resilience Hub sponsorship has been critical to getting this gathering off the ground. It has allowed us to keep the registration cost for the event affordable at a time when it’s even harder for women to be seen to spend money ‘on themselves’.'
Ms Armstrong said we know the critical role that women play in strengthening rural communities and industries, and assisting them in navigating changing times. The 2025 gathering presents an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and experiences of resilience, and contribute to a positive future.'
The program will showcase the progress and personal growth of rural and regional women from Benalla and surrounds, embracing diversity of experience across age, climate conditions and business enterprises.
'Our stories are a critical part of any gathering. They provide an opportunity to celebrate and be inspired by others, to learn, take comfort, be encouraged and take strength from other women.'
Dr Sara Hely, Director of the Victoria Drought Resilience Hub and a keynote speaker at the event, emphasised the crucial role of women in regional communities.
'Women in regional communities are often the unsung heroes when times are uncertain in our farming communities. But without them, community resilience and our ability to bounce back would be significantly impacted,' Dr Hely said.
Drawing from her personal experience, Dr Hely said as a woman who grew up in a farming community and saw the devastating impacts of drought and climate volatility, my own mother and the mothers of others were the ones I turned to.'
Dr Hely will share stories of community leaders in drought resilience and discuss individual contributions to this effort.
'At the Vic Hub, we recognise that resilience comes from within us and our ability to support others, make good decisions and be prepared. A lot of this comes from having vision, being audacious, looking after our own and others’ health, having the composure to reason well and to collaborate with others.'
The Vic Hub, headquartered at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus, is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. Dr Hely said the hub’s involvement in the WoFG event aligned with its mission to enhance drought preparedness and resilience in Victoria’s agricultural industries, environment and regional communities.
'By facilitating connections between research and community needs, the Victoria Drought Resilience Hub aims to facilitate the adoption of innovations that improve economic, environmental and social resilience to drought.'
Presenters include AgriFutures Chair Cathy McGowan AO and Benalla farmer and landscape architect Sue Campbell OAM. For a full list, please see the event program.
For more information and to attend the event, please go to: https://events.humanitix.com/women-on-farms-gathering-benalla
Dr Mary Cole wins Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award
The winner of the 2025 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award has been named as Dr Mary Cole for her pioneering work in biological farming and soil microbiology, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices for future generations.
Dr Cole accepted the award at a ceremony presented by Michaela Settle MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Agriculture, Victoria.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, supported by platinum sponsor Westpac, is Australia’s leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. It is an opportunity to celebrate forward-thinking, courageous leaders who represent some of the most vast and remote areas of Victoria.
Dr Cole received a $15,000 grant from Westpac to further support her project as well as the opportunity to undertake a professional development course of her choosing. She will go on to represent Victoria at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra later in the year, where the National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, an additional $15,000.
An internationally recognised expert in mycology, plant pathology, and soil microbiology, Dr Cole has dedicated her career to advocating for biological farming practices that regenerate soil health, reduce synthetic chemical use, and improve the long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture.
'For more than 45 years, I have been working to promote biological farming methods that not only sustain the land but also ensure farmers remain financially viable for generations to come,' Dr Cole said.
'Through education, research, and on-farm application, I have seen first-hand how prioritising soil health can transform agricultural productivity, reduce farmer input costs, and protect the environment. This award will allow me to expand my work, reaching more farmers and communities with solutions that are cost-effective and regenerative.'
John Harvey, AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, said Dr Cole’s work exemplifies the powerful contributions women are making in rural, regional and remote communities.
'The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is a platform for women who are driving meaningful change and shaping the future of regional industries,' Mr Harvey said.
'This Award not only recognises their impact but also equips them with the support and leadership skills to continue building a stronger, more resilient regional Australia.'
Mandy Hehir, Regional General Manager, Central VIC/Gippsland, Regional and Agribusiness for Platinum Sponsor Westpac, said congratulations to Dr Mary Cole on being named the Victorian State winner of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
'Dr Cole’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices through her work in biological farming and soil microbiology is outstanding and we are delighted to award her the Victorian title.'
Westpac is proud to be a long-term platinum sponsor of the award and champion women who are driving positive change in rural Australia. It is an honour to support these remarkable women who are helping to build a better future for our regions, and we look forward to celebrating them at the national award ceremony in September.
Report sick or dead birds or wildlife
High pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in poultry in the Euroa area within Strathbogie Shire. Control measures are in place to prevent further spread.
Learn more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu
Report any unexplained sick or dead poultry or birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Help stop Salvinia
The only species of salvinia recorded in Victoria is Salvinia molesta – a highly invasive State prohibited weed.
Salvinia has two kinds of leaves, floating and underwater. It is illegal to grow, display, buy, sell or share salvinia anywhere in Victoria.
Use the 3D model of salvinia to get an extreme close-up of salvinia to help you identify and target this threat.
Report salvinia by calling 136 186, emailing weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au or online agriculture.vic.gov.au/salvinia
AgTech Innovators – Episode 5
The Startup Network aims to help entrepreneurs navigate the startup journey, from ideation to securing funding, by offering practical guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The head of community, Ryan Burns, emphasises the importance of founder optimism, customer obsession, and solving real problems as keys to startup success.
Tackling the Tough Topics
The National Centre for Farmer Health has recently released a handbook titled Tackling the Tough Topics outlining best practice guidelines to help individuals and groups plan successful farming community events with a mental health focus.
The guidelines seek to provide the knowledge, resources, and support needed to organise successful events and avoid potential problems that can be damaging to vulnerable individuals and/or their communities.
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.
Agriculture events in or near the Towong Shire
11 March Online Every drop counts: Farm water management webinar series
12 March Online RIC Webinar – Get ‘RIC Ready’ to apply for a low-cost farm business loan Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
15 March at Crown Lounge Beer Deluxe Albury – Riverine Plains Graze Networking Event for 18–40-year-olds working in agriculture. Graze
HERD 25
Herd'25 is a biennial conference with a program tailored to attract the herd improvement, genetics and animal performance industry.
Location: All Seasons Resort Hotel, Bendigo
Date: 12-13 March.
VFF Stock Sense Calving essentials webinar series
Webinar part 1
When: 18 March
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm
Where: Online
Webinar part 2
When: 19 March
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm
Where: Online
New to calving? Wanting to learn more? Maybe you just need a quick refresher!
This 2-part FREE webinar is perfect for you – hosted by the Stock Sense team and Dr Rob Bonnano.
Get ready for the calving season with a checklist covering everything you need to know.
Structured to cover 101 Essentials, Methods to preventing calving problems – a whole system approach, and a Q&A session to conclude.
The webinar series will be conducted via Zoom, with the link available HERE.
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 the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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