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Thursday 7 August 2025
A rough winter coat on young cattle could be telling
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
If your young cattle’s coats are looking a bit rough, it could be due to lice or ringworm, which both thrive under similar circumstances.
Both lice and ringworm are typically a greater problem in young cattle in either poor nutrition or with a compromised immune system. Neither are a significant problem to cattle in good health.
Lice are small sucking or biting insects found mostly around the head, neck and shoulder area, and along the back to the tail.
The irritation they cause lead to a rough scruffy appearance, and areas of skin rubbed raw particularly around the neck and shoulder. The main effect of lice is skin damage as well as reduced grazing.
Cattle are infested through animal-to-animal contact with other cattle from which the population of lice can build up rapidly. Cattle lice do not infest other animals.
The cattle’s denser winter coat along with cooler weather favours the lice’s survival.
Without treatment the problem will remain until spring, when increasing temperatures and day lengths along with improved nutrition naturally reduce lice numbers.
Ringworm is a transmissible infectious skin disease caused by a spore forming fungi. It too is spread by direct contact and can spread rapidly through a group of cattle, particularly in poorly growing young animals with underlying poor health or nutrition.
It causes grey-white areas of slightly raised skin with an ash-like surface. It can become extensive being seen predominantly around the eyes, ears and along the back of calves, also the chest and legs of adult cattle.
It causes little permanent damage or economic loss; however, it can be transmitted to humans.
Ringworm usually clears up within one to two months without any treatment particularly when conditions improve.
For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health or extension staff, or in NSW your Local Land Services.
AgVic's Greg Bekker DAMDEEP tool wins first prize
A big congratulations to our own Greg Bekker who won first prize at Sheepvention Rural Expo’s Western Ag Inventions competition.
His winning invention – DAMDEEP – is a simple, safe and smart tool to help farmers measure dam depth with ease.
Made from a hand reel, float, fluoro beads and sinker, DAMDEEP has helped many farmers to take stock of their farm water supplies during the drought.
Used in conjunction with the summer water calculator, which can be found here, farmers can use DAMDEEP to determine how much water they have in their dams.
Farmers can get help with water planning by booking a one-on-one session with a specialist from our panel of farm advisors here.
Find more info about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Developing a feed budget for your sheep
How much should you be feeding your sheep?
Watch this video, Livestock Officer Nick Linden looks at getting the balance right when developing a feed budget to avoid pitfalls, such as feeding too little or too much.
Any Victorian farmer can get help with feed budgeting by booking a one-on-one session with a specialist from our panel of farm advisors.
Mia Mia farmer pleads guilty to animal welfare and traceability offences
A Mia Mia farmer pleaded guilty to 7 animal welfare and traceability offences recently at Kyneton Magistrates’ Court.
Michael Pryor, an absentee owner and person in charge of a small herd, pleaded guilty to charges which occurred between January 2024 and September 2024.
The charges sit under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.
Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare compliance manager Daniel Bode said Mr Pryor was sentenced without conviction and fined an aggregate amount in the sum of $7,000 with an order to pay $454.74 in costs.
Agriculture Victoria officers responded to a complaint at a property in Mia Mia on which cattle owned by Mr Pryor were being kept.
‘Of a herd of 12 cattle, the majority were suffering from extremely low body condition,’ Mr Bode said.
Agriculture Victoria officers also found a cow with her leg caught in a wire fence. It had been recumbent for at least 48 hours and was euthanised to prevent further pain and suffering.
Risk of red imported fire ant in imported fodder
Agriculture Victoria is urging farmers to be mindful of import requirements and to keep watch for red imported fire ants (RIFA) when sourcing fodder from interstate.
Agriculture Victoria acting Chief Plant Health Officer Stephen Dibley said RIFA, or Solenopsis invicta, is one of the worst invasive ant species in Australia.
Native to South America, it was first detected in Brisbane in 2001 and while still largely localised to Greater Brisbane, it has also recently been detected in 2 separate zones in New South Wales.
‘RIFA is not present in Victoria and we hope collective efforts continue to ensure that this situation remains unchanged,’ Dr Dibley said.
‘If RIFA made it into Victoria, it could severely affect the state’s economy, agriculture, the environment and the wellbeing of people and livestock.
‘RIFA is mostly spread when it hitchhikes on material that is transported out of an infested area.’
He said with drought forcing farmers to source hay and fodder from interstate suppliers, there was a real risk they may inadvertently import RIFA.
‘We know current conditions mean farmers are dealing with unfamiliar fodder sellers, but we still want to protect our agricultural industry from biosecurity threats.
‘Hay and straw are ideal host materials for RIFA, providing shelter, temperature regulation and a food source,’ he said.
RB Sellars CEO Jim Gall to share leadership lessons at BCG Chair’s Breakfast
From growing up on his family’s farm at Euroa to leading one of Australia’s most recognisable rural clothing brands, Jim Gall (above) knows firsthand that success in agriculture isn’t just about what we produce – it’s about how we lead, adapt, and tell our story.
Watching his dad diversify into many niche markets, such as chickens and garlic, taught Jim 'if you make it, you need to sell it,' a lesson that sparked a career that has taken him from working on-farm to building brands, leading creative agencies, and now steering iconic rural clothing company RB Sellars.
On Thursday 21 August, starting at 8 am, Jim will share his story as keynote speaker at BCG’s annual Chair’s Breakfast in Birchip.
From growing prime lamb for local butchers to running a national brand, Jim has seen firsthand the power of knowing your customer, telling an authentic story, and aligning your team around a shared purpose.
He believes that no one is better placed to tell agriculture’s story than farmers themselves, and in today’s digital world, consumers actively seek out brands and producers whose values and origins they understand.
Beyond marketing, Jim will share practical ideas on building resilient businesses, drawing on his experience leading teams through growth and change.
He will explore the value of what he calls 'radical candour', creating psychological safety for teams to deliver and receive honest feedback that accelerates growth.
He will also speak on the importance of stepping back from day-to-day demands to lead strategically, think generationally, and strengthen businesses: How do we lead better? How do we keep our teams engaged? And how do we keep telling our story, especially when conditions test us?
'Recent rainfall, around 30mm across the region, has renewed optimism for many, but as every grower knows, challenges still lie ahead,' BCG Chairman, John Ferrier said.
'That’s why Jim’s message feels so timely – true sustainability isn’t just environmental, but about building businesses, teams and cultures that can keep adapting and thriving for generations to come.'
The Chair’s Breakfast invites growers, advisors and community members to pause and reflect on the bigger questions that strengthen our businesses. How do we tell our story? How do we build cultures that retain great people? And how do we keep evolving in a changing world?
The Chair’s Breakfast is a free event and registration on the BCG website is essential. For more information or to register please visit bcg.org.au.
Ag Vic Talk season 10
Tackling Burnout with Maggie Bridgewater
It's important to look after yourself so you can effectively look after the farm.
Farmers can face a unique set of challenges, from unpredictable weather to changes in finances.
In this Farming Safe and Well podcast episode, Maggie Bridgewater, a Wellbeing Counsellor with the Rural Financial Counselling Service in western Victoria, shares her journey and offers practical strategies for managing burnout, anxiety, and stress.
Listen now to learn how to recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to improve your mental wellbeing.
Urea use for boosting winter growth – webinar
Urea use has proven to be a successful option to boost winter growth, helping farmers to grow more grass, which is vital during the current drought conditions.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Nick Linden said after a poor spring and summer and a late autumn break, the need to grow more feed is a top priority.
‘AgVic is holding a webinar on Monday, 11 August at 12 pm, for livestock farmers focused on using urea to boost pasture growth this winter and spring.
‘Urea is a proven option for increasing pasture growth rates through winter. For those who haven’t used urea before, this might be the year to try it.
‘In similar conditions to this year, the Weed Managers Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) trialled urea test strips on a fertile annual ryegrass paddock in the Upper Murray. Urea was applied in early July and late August 2024 using two different rates, 75kg urea/ha and 100kg urea/ha.’
Pasture growth and accumulation were measured 6 weeks after each application.
Mr Linden said where there was no urea applied, daily pasture growth rates through July and into August averaged 5 kg DM/ha/day; typical for mid-winter pasture growth.
‘Pasture growth rates increased with urea applications and were greatest at the higher urea rate (100 kg Urea/ha), however, the higher rate did not give the best cost/benefit.
‘We found that a 75kg/ha urea application lifted pasture growth rates to 17kg DM/ha/day, and the 100kg application lifted growth rates to 23 kg DM/ha/day, compared to 5kg DM/ha/day without urea.
‘This increase in pasture growth rate and subsequent availability represented the difference between a pasture that would not maintain weaners or lactating stock, to one that would fully feed either stock class.’
More trees on farms to benefit landowners
The Victorian Government is encouraging Victorian farmers and landowners to take advantage of a new program to plant more trees on their farms – helping to boost timber supply, increase biodiversity and prevent soil erosion.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the Victorian Trees on Farms Program at Parliament House, alongside industry members at the Victorian Forest Products Association’s Timber Plantations showcase.
The new program is offering grants of up to $80,000 for landholders to plant trees on their property, providing long-term solutions including boosting shade and shelter for livestock, improving stock and crop production, offsetting carbon emissions or generating income through carbon credits.
Landholders will also be able to generate additional income through timber production, including from harvested wood products or use the timber for on-farm uses such as firewood and fence posts.
An additional grants program – the Trees on Farms Incubator Program – is offering planting service providers and forestry professionals up to $50,000 to support landowners who might be contemplating planting trees on their property.
This service will help landowners develop tailored, implementation-ready project plans to align with their property and planting goals, while providing education, training and upskilling for tree planting and management activities.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Webinar – Boosting pasture growth with urea
When: Monday 11 August from 12:30 pm
Inviting livestock farmers to a webinar focussed on using urea to boost pasture growth this winter/ spring. Urea can be a useful tool to increase pasture growth rates and reduce the amount of supplementary feeding.
Presenters:
- Lisa Warn from Lisa Warn Ag Consulting
- Nick Linden, Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer
Lisa will share expert insights into pasture conditions to get the best results as well as timing, rates of application and cost vs benefits. Nick will present findings from 2024 urea trials with the Weed Managers Producer Demonstration Site (PDS).
Rutherglen – In good times and bad: Adaptive skills for your farming future
When: 14-15 August, 8:30 am for 9 am start to 3 pm.
Where: Agriculture Victoria, 124 Chiltern Valley Road, Rutherglen.
Livestock and grain producers are invited to participate in a 2-day course for your farm business future. In the course you will develop a plan that will help contribute to your farm’s success.
For further information, contact: Kylie Macreadie Team Leader Land Management, on 0427 052 352 or email kylie.macreadie@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Buffalo – Dry season – preparing for spring and summer
18 August from 9:45 am to 2:30 pm, at the Buffalo Community Centre, Hall Road, Buffalo
With low rainfall, and minimal hay and silage stocks, we need to ensure we have the knowledge and confidence to manage a potentially dry spring and summer.
Presenters include
- Dale Grey (AgVic Seasonal Risk Agronomist and editor of Fast Break) - weather outlook and what we can expect in the next few months
- Fiona Baker - (AgVic Livestock Officer) - setting ourselves up for spring, and summer, water requirements, and maximising our potential growth leading into our peak growing season
- James Paulet – will talk about the 6 new soil moisture probes and weather stations located in West and South Gippsland and using this data to make informed decisions
- Farmers Chris Nixon (beef and dairy - Orbost, and Trevor Caithness (beef and cropping – Goon Nure) will talk about strategies they implemented to get through the 3-year drought in East Gippsland and what worked and what didn’t, and what they would do better next time.
After lunch we will visit Ross Batten and Madeline and Bernard Buckley’s farm and discuss strategies they are implementing in preparation for a potentially dry spring and summer.
Corryong – Decisions that drive drought recovery
19 August at RSL Hall, Donaldson Street, Corryong
9 am - 3:30 pm
A powerful and practical 1-day workshop on how to build resilience, navigate crisis and adapt to change.
Feel confident and equipped to make the decisions necessary to navigate your farm business through the current seasonal crisis/challenges by:
- learning how to navigate competing priorities for limited resources (family, farm and business)
- identifying key resource issues, stressors, risks and opportunities for your farm business
- learning improved decision-making skills and how to manage key priorities – especially when under pressure and stress
- learning skills to rebuild capacity after battling personal/health and business challenges
- connecting to networks that support recovery and resilience
Morning tea and a light lunch provided.
Jingellic – Winter warm-up event
Walwa and Tumbarumba Veterinary Practice brings to the upper Murray a night for the local farming community to come together to unwind amidst what has been a pretty gruelling winter.
Be inspired and uplifted by Warren's story, which centres on resilience, persistence, determination, leadership and wellbeing. This is a night for the whole community, so pop the date in your calendar and bring along a mate.
Attendance is free and there will be a bar and food provided. Please register in advance.
Jingellic Hub, Jingellic Showgrounds on Thursday 28 August 6 pm.
Food and refreshments provided.
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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