Thursday 27 November 2025

Expanded package announcement

The Victorian Government is increasing support for drought affected farmers and communities with more funding for technical one-on-one support, community events and wellbeing.    

This extension to key drought supports brings the Victorian Government's Drought Support Package to more than $146.5 million.   

Supporting Victorian growers to maintain market access

Agriculture Victoria is supporting growers moving tomato potato psyllid (TTP) host or carrier plants and plant products interstate to navigate new requirements set to be in place from 8 December 2025.

Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr Rosa Crnov, said new arrangements were in place for businesses to be certified under, following a new detection of tomato potato psyllid outside of the restricted Area in Melbourne’s northern suburbs in October.

‘We’re working with the horticulture industry to rapidly implement arrangements to minimise trade disruptions and maintain market access to other states.

‘Restrictions are expected to be in place from Monday 8 December and growers can move their plants and produce interstate if they have the right certifications in place and follow the necessary biosecurity practices.'

Protecting your livestock from anthrax

As we head into the warmer months, it’s important to stay vigilant about the risk of anthrax to your livestock.

Once an animal has died from anthrax, the anthrax spores can leach into and survive in the soil for decades, waiting for the right set of environmental conditions to infect another animal.

‘Anthrax should be considered whenever there is any sudden death of livestock, particularly if blood is seen around the animal’s nose, mouth and anus.

‘At one time veterinarians had to carry a microscope and examine a smear of specially stained blood to rapidly diagnose anthrax.

‘This all changed with the development of pen-side ICT kits (immunochromatographic test), which provide a quick, safe and accurate means of diagnosing or excluding anthrax when investigating cases of sudden death of livestock.’

All private veterinarians who deal with livestock have free access to ICT kits and can investigate sudden deaths through subsidised disease investigations.

Dr Cave said there are several reasons why it is beneficial to know whether an animal has died from anthrax, including:

• Anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can potentially infect humans.
• The best way of stopping further losses due to anthrax is through its early diagnosis and the subsidised vaccination of all at-risk livestock on the property.
• The carcass of an animal which has died of anthrax will remain a source of infection for future outbreaks if it isn’t disposed of correctly through incineration and the decontamination of its death site

If you suspect a case of anthrax, please contact your local veterinarian, or an Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health office.

Real risks posed by prohibited pig feed

Prohibited pig feed (formerly known as swill) is the act of feeding food scraps or food waste that contains meat, or which has been in contact with meat to pigs. 

The feeding of prohibited pig feed to pigs is banned in Australia, as it has been shown to cause outbreaks of serious animal diseases overseas.  

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said regardless of how many pigs anyone keeps, pig owners play a vital role in maintaining the health and welfare of Australia’s livestock. 

‘There are a number of requirements for pig owners that are mandatory and are monitored by state government and industry authorities,’ Mr Bode said. 

‘Pigs are recognised as ‘high risk’ animals playing a potential role in the establishment of a number of exotic diseases that could devastate the agricultural sector and impact on human health. 

Vet Talk – Get smart in you summer drenching program

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

After a year of grazing on shorter-than-usual pastures, many sheep across Victoria are facing higher-than-normal worm burdens. But with summer’s hot and dry conditions around the corner, producers have a timely opportunity to tackle the issue head-on.

It’s time to consider strategic summer drenching, a targeted approach involving effective treatments at the start and end of the season. The goal is to take advantage of the natural destruction of worm larvae on pastures caused by the heat and desiccation of summer.

However, not all sheep may require treatment. Pre-drench faecal egg counts (FECs) will help determine which parts of the flock actually need drenching. This deliberate step helps avoid unnecessary costs and ensures treatments are justified.

Drenching is only effective when done correctly. Using the wrong chemicals or misusing them can reduce their effectiveness and contribute to the development of resistance.

Post-drench FECs are also advisable, to assess how well the treatment worked and to detect any signs of drench resistance, a growing concern in Victoria, particularly with white and clear drenches.

To maximise results, producers should move treated sheep to low-risk pastures. Ideal options include paddocks that have been previously grazed by cattle, cut for hay or silage, or used by older wethers.

Ewes around the time of lambing and recently weaned lambs are especially vulnerable to worm infestations. Without an effective drenching program, reinfestation can occur in as little as 3 weeks.

For more advice, contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health staff.

VFF asking truck transporters to register for emergency fodder delivery

Victoria is starting to dry out and that means more risk of bushfires.

With the support of the Victorian Government and as part of the Emergency Fodder Support Program, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is reminding truck transport operators to pre-register their details with them.

In the event of a bushfire or other significant emergency, the VFF may call on those registered to help deliver fodder to where it’s needed most.

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found on our website.

Water planning webinars

When: Every Tuesday from 10 am up to and including 16 December

Join this series of informal presentation led by Clem Sturmfels, a land management extension officer with Agriculture Victoria.

Participants will also have access to a range of other recordings, videos and associated resources.

Topics

• Water self-assessment
• Water planning
• Farm dams
• Pipeline layout and design
• Installation and construction.

MultiMix Field Day

When: Monday 1 December, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Hamilton Smart Farm, 12 Research Station Road, Hamilton

Join us to hear about how multispecies pasture have the potential to improve sheep production, reduce methane emissions and extend the resilience of pastures in the Southern regions of Australia.

The field day will showcase the trial platform with presentations from research scientists explaining the aims of the MultiMix project.

The event will conclude with a free BBQ lunch.

Interpreting soil moisture monitoring equipment

When: Monday 8 December, 9-11 am
Where: Agriculture Victoria, 308–390 Koorlong Avenue, Irymple

Irrigators, join us for a free half-day workshop on interpreting soil moisture monitoring data.  

Gain a better understanding of soil water principles, interpreting graph responses and more. 

Bring your login and data to discuss soil moisture for your property. 

Limited places, RSVP by email to irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

WESI, Weed Spotter and Good Neighbour Training

When: Wednesday 10 December, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Maryborough Community Hub, 48 Burns Street, Maryborough

We’re excited to invite you to a free, one-day training session in Maryborough.

This session will highlight a selection of early invader environmental weeds and State Prohibited Weeds (SPW) relevant to Maryborough and surrounding areas.

You’ll also learn more about the Good Neighbour Program.

Hosted in collaboration with:

• Agriculture Victoria’s Weed Spotter Program
• DEECA’s Weeds at the Early Stage of Invasion (WESI) Project
• DEECA’s Good Neighbour Program
• Upper Loddon & Avoca Landcare Network

Registration is essential for catering purposes, and places are limited — please register by COB Wednesday 3 December 2025.

Drip monitoring and maintenance course – Mildura

When: Wednesday 10 December, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Agriculture Victoria, 308–390 Koorlong Avenue, Irymple

Join us for a free half-day workshop on drip irrigation monitoring and maintenance to help you maximise on-farm profitability and water use efficiency!  

Led by Jeremy Giddings from Ag Vic and Peter Henry from Netafim, topics covered include: 

• understanding design and specification sheets 
• monitoring, measuring pressures and discharges 
• flushing, chlorination and acid injection. 

Email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au to register and for further information. 

Circular solutions for farm resilience

When: Monday 15 December, 4-7 pm

Circular solutions for farm resilience explores how circular economy principles can transform Australian agriculture. By rethinking waste and resource flows, farms can reduce costs, generate new income streams, and enhance long-term sustainability.

The event will showcase practical examples of resource recovery, bioenergy, composting, and nutrient recycling, demonstrating how farmers are creating closed-loop systems that benefit both the environment and the bottom line. Experts from research, government, and industry will share tools and strategies that help integrate circular approaches into farm operations.

Join us to learn how adopting circular solutions can make farms more efficient, resilient, and environmentally responsible – building stronger rural economies and a cleaner future.

Soil constraints and nutrition webinar with Dr Cass Schefe

When: Wednesday 18 February, 7:30 - 8:30 pm

This Wimmera CMA webinar will explore how Wimmera farmers can optimise productivity through addressing soil constraints and maintaining system fertility. It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future and highlight the relationship between emissions and productivity.

Topics

• Identifying and addressing common constraints in Wimmera soils
• Maintaining system fertility - not just nitrogen
• Maintaining soil carbon
• Soil moisture for the season ahead

Calculate your farm emissions workshop

When: Tuesday 24 February 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Wimmera CMA Office, 24 Darlot Street, enter via Gleed Street

This small-group, practical session is designed to help you understand your farm’s emissions and identify opportunities to lower emissions without compromising productivity. You’ll work through entering your own data into an emissions calculator, with guidance and support every step of the way.

Bring a laptop and your farm data.

Contact Bronwyn Bant on 0427 529 232 for more information.

Save the date - Piangil Feedlotting sheep workshops

Join us for 3 workshops commencing 11 February 2026 where Elders Senior Livestock Production Advisor Rob Inglis will present key aspects of sheep production and offer practical advice on setting up or restarting a feedlotting enterprise.

• Workshop 1 - Designing and building a profitable feedlot
• Workshop 2 - Feeding and nutrition workshop
• Workshop 3 - Beyond the feedlot, welfare, markets and integration

Visit trybooking to learn more or contact Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024.

GRDC events

Birchip Cropping Group events

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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