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Thursday 3 April 2025
Drought support for south west farmers
Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Bushfire recovery support
If your business or industry has been impacted by the 2024-25 bushfires in western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery. Upcoming supports include:
- Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
- Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.
These programs are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
Register your interest to receive updates on the 2024-25 Western Victoria Bushfire Recovery grants and other related supports as they become available.
Apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure
Eligible drought-affected farmers in the south west can now apply for up to $5,000 in co-contribution grants to support establishing on-farm infrastructure such as:
- water infrastructure upgrades (pipes, tanks, troughs, dams)
- stock containment areas
- grain and fodder storage.
Visit the dry seasons webpage for more information or call 136 186.
Safe on-farm disposal of dead stock
Rachael Campbell, Dairy Industry Development Officer
Stock deaths occur periodically and farm managers are responsible for carcass disposal. Methods of disposal include knackery, rendering services or suitably licensed landfills. If these are not available, alternative biosecure options for use on-farm may include composting or burial.
If on-farm disposal is to be used, then forward planning with appropriate siting, infrastructure and management is critical to minimise any biosecurity, environmental or other risks.
Burying carcasses on the farm may be the most appropriate option, depending on the circumstances.
Stringent guidelines apply to appropriate burial sites, so they don’t adversely affect the land, surface or ground waters or the air.
Detailed information on setback distances and other requirements can be found in the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) document Farm waste management.
The other on-farm option is composting of carcasses. In line with EPA guidance, when the average number of mortalities doesn’t exceed one tonne per month, then a composting pile is appropriate.
When mortalities exceed this threshold, bin composting should be considered. Bin composting requires more dedicated infrastructure.
Detailed information on pile and bin composting can be found in the EPA’s Composting mortalities on farm guidance.
It’s important to realise composting is an active process, not a set-and-forget method. Failing to monitor and follow established composting techniques will result in an increased risk of harm to the land or the environment and a substandard final product.
Agriculture Victoria can provide guidance to farmers about on-farm disposal options in consultation with the EPA.
In the event of unusual signs or suspected cases of emergency animal disease, please report them immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.
If an emergency animal disease outbreak is declared, Agriculture Victoria is responsible for the destruction and disposal of animal carcasses, including those that can be buried on-farm.
Further information on farm biosecurity and animal disease is available on the Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases
Victorian tech start-ups take on circular agriculture
The Victorian Government is working with the state’s brightest technology start-ups to develop innovative new solutions to challenges facing the agriculture sector.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the new CivVic Labs challenge theme would be circular agriculture – with a focus on how technology can be used to maximise efficiency, minimise waste, and unlock new revenue streams.
Delivered by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency and funded by Agriculture Victoria, the CivVic Labs challenge brings together 10 start-ups for an intensive six-week bootcamp, where they receive $15,000 in equity-free funding and specialist advice and support to refine their ideas.
AgTech Innovators – Episode 8
In the final episode of AgTech Innovators, we are joined by Jane Bunn, meteorologist and founder and CEO of Jane's Weather.
Jane discusses her journey in AgTech, how she started her weather app to provide detailed weather information for farmers and other industries and talks about the challenges she faced as a female founder and the importance of networking.
The buck stops here – with the owner and person in charge
Owners or persons in charge of livestock have a responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare needs of their livestock and animals are met.
Agriculture Victoria Program Manager of Livestock and Welfare Compliance Veronica Campbell said this includes providing animals with proper and sufficient food, ensuring sick or injured animals are provided with appropriate attention or treatment, and basic husbandry practices such as shearing are carried out.
‘While we know the majority of farmers are doing the right thing, livestock producers who don’t take appropriate action to prevent and address animal welfare issues can face regulatory action, including prosecution for offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.’
Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
For information on dry seasonal and drought support go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons.
Biosecurity Roundtable 2024 'What was said?' Report
Victoria’s Biosecurity Roundtable Report 2024 is now available!
Local experts – from the wine industry, wildlife sector, horticulture and more – explored phylloxera impacts on the wine industry, what to do to prepare for our biggest biosecurity threats and reaching diverse communities with important messages.
NVT Harvest Interim Report
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Mallee, South Australia and Victoria Interim NVT Harvest Report is now available.
The purpose of the report is to provide the latest independent varietal information on yield, quality and disease ratings, from the NVT program for the 2024-25 season as soon as possible after release. The Mallee, South Australia and Victoria Full NVT Harvest Report will be available soon.
Victorian RDA committee vacancies
Regional Development Australia (RDA) is seeking highly motivated leaders with vision, drive and strong ties to their region to volunteer on RDA Committees across Victoria.
Applications have opened for RDA Committee Deputy Chair and Member positions in Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Melbourne.
In case you missed it 📰
Media releases and articles
Webinars
- Webinar recording: Implications of climate change on various Mallee horticultural crops Password: Climate
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
GRDC - Grain automate webinar by SPAA
9 April - Grain Automate webinar by SPAA – Unlocking automation – connectivity and boundary establishment
Online webinar 12:30-1:30 pm
How to get your business and people through the drought
Join us for a workshop on budgeting, cash flow, and financial planning to boost farm resilience.
- 7 April, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Port Fairy Community House, 5 Railway Place, Port Fairy. Register now.
- 8 April, 9 am - 12 pm, Archie Graham Centre, 118 Timor Street, Warrnambool. Register now.
Weathering the dry: a farmers' gathering
Join us for dinner and discussion on drought. Connect with farmers, discuss feed, water and strategies to manage the dry season.
- 8 April, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Gellibrand River Hotel, 20 Old Main Road, Gellibrand. Register now.
Smart business management: budgeting and financial planning for resilient farms
Join us for a workshop and pizza night. This session will provide you with the tools and strategies needed to build resilience and get through the drought.
- 4 April, 7-9:30 pm, Hampden Hotel, 228 Manifold Street, Camperdown. Register now.
Webinar – Soil moisture, monitoring wind erosion and seasonal outlook
Join us online Thursday 10 April at noon for a webinar with our seasonal agronomists Dale Grey and Dale Boyd and the Wind Erosion and Land Management project team.
The webinar includes:
- 2024 season review – key insights for the Wimmera Mallee
- 2024 wind erosion and land management observations – findings from the recent Mallee survey
- Satellite technology – how remote sensing is used to monitor ground cover and obtain crop type estimates
- Historical break timings – case studies on Berriwillock and Longerenong
- 2025 seasonal outlook – current soil moisture levels and key insights for the Wimmera Mallee.
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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