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Thursday, 19 June 2025
Drought support
Supporting Victorian farmers impacted by kangaroos
More support has been announced to help farmers whose agricultural property is impacted by kangaroos.
Farmers will soon be able to apply for rebates to engage professional shooters to control kangaroos under an approved Authority to Control Wildlife (ACTW).
Find out more or apply for an ATCW online, visit Wildlife management and control authorisations | vic.gov.au
To register an interest to be notified when the program is open email: drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Victorian Drought Freight Network
The Victorian Drought Freight Network will help drought affected farmers to move critical grain and fodder to farms in the south west.
Developed with the Department of Transport and Planning, Victorian Farmers Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Victoria - it will expand road networks for fodder transport in south west Victoria.
Find out more at Victoria Emergency Drought Network Pre-Approved Permit-Based Scheme | NHVR
Farm planning course: Farming in the 21st century
Are you needing some advice during the current drought conditions?
Would you like to review where your farm is heading, while hearing what other farmers are doing?
Are you interested in making your farm more resilient, productive and sustainable?
Are you wanting to complete a whole farm plan?
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officer Clem Sturmfels said farmers in south west Victoria are invited to join the upcoming online whole farm planning course, ‘Helping you meet the challenges of farming in the 21st century’.
‘The technical and decision-making support that will be provided is designed to assist farmers in managing the impacts of increasingly difficult conditions, delivered in partnership with technical specialists.
‘The primary aim of a Whole Farm Planning course is the protection and management of critical farm assets; your soil, water and vegetation – all of which underpin farm productivity and resilience.
Control Area lifted after successful response to bird flu outbreak
The H7 avian influenza response in Victoria has come to an end. The outbreak, which began in February, affected four commercial poultry properties.
There have been no new cases of H7N8 high pathogenicity bird flu since 24 February 2025.
Disease eradication activities have been successful, allowing Agriculture Victoria to remove quarantine from the infected properties and lift the Control Area that has been in place around Euroa for more than four months.
As result, there are no longer movement restrictions around the four properties.
This progress is a significant step towards re-establishing Australia’s claim to freedom from high pathogenicity avian influenza.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Sally Salmon said the disease was eradicated thanks to the hard work of the poultry industry, local bird owners and the wider community.
Don’t sacrifice your perennial pastures
With good rain across most of Victoria, farmers may be looking to return stock to paddocks following months of containment feeding.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock and Land Management Extension Officer Neil James said returning stock too early may result in damage or death of deep-rooted perennials such as phalaris, cocksfoot and fescue.
‘The loss of perennial pasture is primarily caused by over-grazing, but when combined with extended dry periods, pasture decline can intensify.
‘Perennial ryegrass, however, rarely survives prolonged dry periods, regardless of grazing pressure.
‘Many pastures are already under stress due to the prolonged dry conditions. Late season rainfall will have triggered some green leaf growth.
‘However, repeated grazing of these new shoots can deplete the plants’ root reserves, ultimately leading to plant death.
‘Ideally, livestock should be held in containment until pastures have grown sufficient leaf area to maximise photosynthesis and rebuild their root reserves. This may take 4 – 6 weeks following rain or longer, depending on the starting condition and temperature.
WorkSafe safety alert for silage wrappers
Farm machinery is the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries on farms.
In-line silage wrappers have many hazards and risks.
There are many contributing factors and recommended ways to control risks, for more information go to Employee killed whilst operating a silage wrapper | WorkSafe Victoria
Q Fever eStatements
You may want to make sure that you have your Q Fever eStatement before the current register closes. You can download your eStatement up until 30 June 2025.
How to get your Q Fever eStatement - you can start by clicking on this link Q Fever Register Login - Australian Q Fever Register then follow the steps in the document.
If you have problems logging in, call 1300 733 837.
Alternatively, people may have received their statement when immunised from the following email address (if you want to search your own email database): register@mg.qfever.org
Once you have downloaded or received an email of your eStatement, you can take your eStatement to a medical professional like a doctor or practice nurse, who can then load this information to the Australian Immunisation Register on your behalf.
The Australian Immunisation Register will hold this information so you can access it in the future.
Catch up on our webinar: Seasonal Outlook Mythbusting
Did you miss our recent webinar? Click below to watch.
Hear Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey discuss the timing of the autumn break, if summer is really dry - does it have any bearing on the autumn break, why is it so hard to accurately predict the autumn break, current forecasts and what tools are available to help with planning.
Watch here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Catch up on our 'feeding by-products' webinar
If you missed our recent webinar on feeding by-products, you can catch up by clicking the button below.
Passcode: feeding
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Soils workshop at Eganstown, just outside Daylesford
Tumpinyeri Growers, in partnership with AgVic, RMIT and University of Melbourne have been investigating soil biological health - focusing on nematodes, bacteria and fungi.
Their findings will be shared at a free workshop in Eganstown on Djarra Country, just outside
Daylesford. The session will explore soil biology and health, and how management practices impact soil properties, plant growth and resilient production systems.
Specialist presenters will include Josh Williams, Tumpinyeri Growers, Dr Helen Hayden, RMIT University and Dr Reza Ghaderi, University of Melbourne.
Where: 129 Morgantis Road, Eganstown.
When: Tuesday 1 July from 10 am to 2 pm - lunch will be provided.
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/3jsm3pzz
This workshop is supported by the Farm Business Resilience Program, to build stronger, more productive agricultural businesses.
Talking trees webinar
When: Thursday 3 July, 5:30-7 pm
Join this Landcare webinar to learn more about how trees can benefit your farm while being used to generate additional revenue through agroforestry, carbon farming, or biodiversity markets.
Harrow – Talk the Talk
A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges with confidence and care.
Tuesday, 22 July at Harrow Golf Club
Observe and identify signs of mental health concerns. Start supportive conversations and take the next steps to provide help talk the talk workshop Harrow Golf Club.
Free catered event.
Bookings essential by 17 July.
Presented by Maggie Bridgewater from the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
For more information and to book, call 0422 061 891 or 0408 349 532
Winchelsea – Healthy, wealthy and wise rural road show
Explore a free full day of information, health checks, support services and guest speakers!
When: Friday 18 July, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Winchelsea Shire Hall and Community House Precinct
Featuring presentations, scam awareness, Council on the aging (COTA), and Ambulance Victoria Defib session.
Grazing table, tea and coffee supplied.
Enquires to Rose on (03) 5261 0600.
In good times and in bad: adaptive skills for your farming future – Wonwondah and Dunkeld
When: Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 August, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Wonwondah Hall, Wonwondah Hall Road, Wonwondah
When: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Dunkeld Bowling Club, 77 Parker Street, Dunkeld.
Livestock and grain farmers are invited to participate in a 2-day workshop to help future proof your farm. Develop practical strategies to manage climate risk, build resilience and shape a stronger, more adaptable business.
Events include morning tea and lunch.
Numbers are limited. Registration is essential.
Whole farm planning online 6-week course
Are you needing some advice during the current drought conditions?
Would you like to review where your farm is heading, while hearing what other farmers are doing?
Are you interested in making your farm more resilient, productive and sustainable?
Are you wanting to complete a whole farm plan?
Farmers in south west Victoria are invited to join our upcoming online whole farm planning course, ‘Helping you meet the challenges of farming in the 21st century’, delivered in partnership with Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning for 6 weeks, commencing Tuesday 12 August through to Thursday 18 September, via Zoom.
Register your place before Friday 4 July.
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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