Thursday 8 October 2026

Locust response - current situation

Locust hatchings continue in Mallee as surveillance moves south

Agriculture Victoria is now conducting surveillance in high-risk areas of the Wimmera catchment.  

Agriculture Victoria Incident Controller Lana Russell said the surveillance would start in West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh shire councils this week in line with predicted hatching timings. 

‘During September, monitoring for young locusts occurred in the Mallee region, where we detected hatchings in most areas we expected to. 

‘Importantly, we observed locusts at different growth stages at many of the sites, which suggests that eggs were laid over an extended period and that more hatchings may still occur. 

‘We have been reminding public and private land managers that they need to be checking their own properties to understand the local conditions and be ready to spray about 2 weeks after hatching – while locusts are still in the hopper stage and have started banding together but aren’t yet flying. 

Spraying locusts

Need to spray locusts on your land and wondering how to go about it?

Ground spraying is most effective when locusts are in the hopper stage about 2 weeks after hatching, before they become adults capable of flight.

With an increased risk of higher than usual numbers of locusts this spring, we have put together a directory of available chemical spray contractors to help land managers control locusts before they become a problem.

Ground spraying at the right time can help protect crops and pastures while reducing the likelihood of adult swarms forming later in the season.

Webinar recording

Missed our webinar on Australian plague locust risk and management?

Farmers and landholders can now watch the recording to learn more about identifying Australian plague locusts, their potential impacts, and management options, along with updates on our monitoring and guidance for the season.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/4wueds99

Passcode: Locusts

Seen locusts or signs of locust activity? Report them online. Your report helps us monitor locust populations and support early management efforts across Victoria.

Report via our website form or call 136 186.

Videos show smart yard design makes farms safer

New videos by Agriculture Victoria are helping farmers improve safety in cattle yards, showcasing practical design features to reduce injury and make stock handling easier and more efficient.

The videos --Safe Cattle Yard Design: Key Considerations and Cattle Loading Ramps: Safe Handling -- were filmed at properties in north east Victoria to demonstrate how a safely designed cattle yard functions in real conditions.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Nick Linden said cattle yards that prioritise animal and operator safety don’t just reduce injuries, they create a lower stress environment that makes stock movement easier and quicker.

‘WorkSafe figures show that the majority of on-farm injuries are caused by collisions including impacts between animals and people,’ Mr Linden said.

Investing in regional drought resilience

The Victorian Government is helping regional communities prepare for future drought.

Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle announced grants are now open for Phase 2 of the Future Drought Fund’s Regional Drought Resilience Planning program, jointly funded with the Federal Government.

Phase 1 delivered Regional Drought Resilience Plans for all nine regions supported by $3.42 million for more than 47 activities to develop those plans.

Regional Drought Resilience Planning phase 2 implementation grants 

The Regional Drought Resilience Planning program focuses on the planning and implementation of resilience and preparedness building action across 9 regions of  
Victoria. 
 
Phase 1 focused on developing Regional Drought Resilience Plans for the Barwon, Central Highlands, Gippsland, Goulburn, Great South Coast, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, Ovens Murray and Wimmera Southern Mallee regions. 
 
Phase 2 (2026-2029) will build on the momentum of Phase 1 with $13.95 million of Implementation Grants to deliver priority actions aligned with the Regional Drought  
Resilience Plans. 

Expressions of Interest are now open for Phase 2 Implementation Grants of up to $1.55 million per region and close 5 pm Monday 23 November.  
 
Email enquiries: drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au 
 
The RDRP program is funded by the Victorian Government and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. 

Shearwaters set to arrive in Victoria

Victorians are reminded that Shearwaters are about to begin arriving in Victoria, migrating from the Northern hemisphere.

Shearwaters travel more than 15,000 km to Australia each year to breed in spring and summer, one of the world’s longest bird migrations.

Some exhausted birds do not survive the journey and may be found on Victorian beaches.

DEECA wants to remind Victorians that if they see sick or dead Shearwaters to leave them in place and report their findings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or via the online reporting form.

Our on-ground and aerial surveillance continues across the state, and we are working with experts to inform surveillance of at-risk areas, particularly as we move into the spring breeding season for many waterbirds, including the arrival of migratory species.

As H5 bird flu becomes established in wild bird populations in Victoria, our response activities continue to focus on surveillance, public safety and protecting high-risk species.

For the latest information about H5 bird flu, visit H5N1 avian influenza.

For birds and wildlife:

• AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment. This helps to avoid disease spread by people.

• RECORD what you see, and
• REPORT wildlife sickness or deaths to DEECA using the online form on the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

Keep pests away from bird feed and housing

Reduce the risk by:

• Storing poultry feed in sealed containers
• Cleaning up feed spills promptly
• Keeping grass and weeds short around coops and runs
• Removing rubbish, unused equipment and other hiding places
• Checking regularly for signs of rodents or other pests
• Using safe pest control where needed

Less food and shelter for pests means less opportunity for disease to spread.

Find more practical biosecurity measures online: agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

Farm fire preparedness

Prepare your farm now for the fire season. 

As part of your farm fire plan, document your farm assets and review your insurance policies. 

Having an up-to-date inventory and insurance cover will make the claims process easier if you need to make a claim after a fire. 

Get your copy of the Fire Preparedness Toolkit with tips and templates here: Fire toolkit | Bushfires | Emergency management | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria 

Request a hard copy of the toolkit by emailing recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Fast Break

The Fast Break details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises 3 month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria.  

Drought support

As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.   

Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:   

• Rural Financial Counselling Service Wellbeing Counsellors - free, confidential wellbeing support alongside its usual financial and business counselling support.  

• Drought support events – workshops and events across the state supporting farmers in drought and recovery.   

To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.      

Bushfire recovery

Grants and concessional loans

Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.

• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income.

Grant applications close 4 pm, 21 October.

Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants

What's On

Pre-harvest People Check

When: Monday 12 October 7 pm
Where: Online

Join Agriculture Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo for a free webinar with Cath Jenkins from Rural People Co. and discover practical ways to improve communication, accountability and productivity in your workplace.

Perfect for anyone working with employees, contractors or family members this coming harvest.

Soils, Pasture and Feed

When: Tuesday 13 October 12:30–3:30 pm
Where: Callamondah, 7909 Maroondah Highway, Merton

Join Aziza Coridas, Agriculture Victoria Agriculture Recovery Officer and Matt Mahoney from Agridome for an informative walk and discussion focusing on pasture recovery and management following bushfire impacts.

A free lunch will also be provided.

For bookings and more information contact Dakota Hardt, Recovery Support Officer on 5775 8555 or dakota.hardt@mansfield.vic.gov.au.

Let's Talk Future Farming - Loddon Region

When: Thursday 15 October 5:30–7:30 pm
Where: Bridgewater Hotel

Farmers, growers and agribusinesses across the Loddon region are invited to a free evening exploring the future of farming.

Hear local stories on virtual fencing, autonomous vehicles, innovation and more.

Get harvest ready at Tatura SmartFarm

When: Thursday 15 October 12 noon – 5:30 pm
Where: Tatura SmartFarm, 255 Fergusons Road, Tatura

Chemical use training for commercial beekeepers

When: 16 and 17 October, 9 am – 5 pm  
Where: Melbourne Polytechnic, Fairfield campus  

Do you own 20 or more registered beehives? Using chemicals to manage Varroa mite? Become accredited in safe chemical use through Melbourne Polytechnic.  

As part of this training program, you may be eligible to be reimbursed up to $200 for the cost of this course.   

For more information, email biosecurityservicescentre@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

Your legacy, their future: Success with succession planning

When: Thursday 29 October 9:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Longwood Community Centre, 2A Down Street, Longwood

Planning for the future of your farm business? Join us in Longwood for a free practical workshop designed to help farming families navigate succession planning with confidence.

Presented by Dr Kate Burke, the workshop will explore how effective succession planning can help:

• Protect your family legacy
• Maintain a viable business
• Grow and transfer wealth
• Strengthen family relationships across generations

Participants will develop a succession timeline and identify practical goals to support a successful transition.

☕ Morning tea and lunch provided

Places are limited and registration is essential.

Save the date - Wimmera Pulse Field Day

When: Wednesday 28 October from 8:30 am
Where: 75 Hempills Road, Minyip

Gain practical insights into current research and how it can be used in on-farm decision making.  

Topics will include: 

• Pulse agronomy 
• Pulse breeding 
• Nutrition management 
• Nitrogen fixation research 

The morning will conclude with a BBQ lunch and an opportunity to network with fellow agronomists, researchers and industry representatives. 

This event is free however registrations are essential for catering purposes.  

GRDC 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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