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Thursday 5 June 2025
Drought and dry seasonal conditions support
The Victorian Government has announced a new and expanded Drought Package – with an additional $37.7 million in funding.
Eligible farmers across the state will be able to access grants of up to $5,000 to support on-farm drought management.
For eligible farmers in the south west, the grant has been increased to up to $10,000.
The Premier has also established a Drought Response Taskforce.
Farmers can lodge an Expression of Interest for the grants by emailing Rural Finance at: admin@ruralfinance.com.au
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus not eradicable
A national decision has been made to stand down eradication of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Australia and move to management.
The National Management Group made the decision on 29 May based on evidence of repeated introductions of the virus via the seed pathway and the challenges associated with finding all sites where it may be present in Australia.
Furthermore, NMG acknowledged that ToBRFV is difficult to detect at the low levels required for eradication, especially in seeds and seedlings.
This decision comes after the virus was detected following the replanting of glasshouses at a Victorian property that had previously tested negative to the virus.
Urolithiasis in livestock – what is it and what causes it?
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
As many producers have been supplementary feeding for some time a number of related animal health issues may emerge. One of those issues is urolithiasis due to bladder stones.
Bladder stones form as a result of minerals in the urine forming crystals that grow on to become stones.
Bladder stones may either pass in the urine or remain in the bladder in which case they are not an issue.
It is when they become stuck in the urethra and cause a blockage that they become a problem as the animal then cannot urinate. This is condition is known as urolithiasis.
Urolithiasis is mainly seen in wethers and feeder steers.
The first sign of urolithiasis is restlessness as the animal attempts to urinate. A swelling is then often seen around the pizzle. Finally, the animal may die due to the toxic effects of not being able to urinate.
Urolithiasis is particularly seen in animals fed primarily grain rations. Grain is relatively high in phosphate but low in calcium. This imbalance predisposes the production of phosphate rich stones.
When feeding grain, the most effective way of preventing urolithiasis is to add calcium in the form of ground limestone.
In addition, it is important to ensure that ample water is available to prevent dehydration. The provision of salt will help stimulate water intake.
For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.
Growing the next generation of farming leaders
The Victorian Government is strengthening the future of agriculture by helping young farmers develop their skills and advance their careers through a scholarship program.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the opening of the 2025 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Program, encouraging early-career farmers to apply and gain the tools they need to thrive in Victoria’s agriculture sector.
The program offers scholarships of up to $10,000 for farmers aged 18 to 40 including up to $5,000 for training or study, and another $5,000 to apply those skills on-farm through practical investments.
Workshops to set strategies for farm business success
Agriculture Victoria is hosting upcoming farm business success workshops for farmers located in northern Victoria from June through to July.
The Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success workshops will be facilitated by Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting. Gavin has over 35 years of broad, practical experience in agricultural extension and farm management with a focus on creating high-functioning teams who achieve their goals.
Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Grains Northern Rebecca Mitchell said the workshops are suitable for all members of a farm business.
Partnerships Against Pests – Round 4
Do you have a great idea to help your community combat established pests and weeds in Victoria?
Round 4 of the Partnerships Against Pests grants program is now open to organisations operating at a regional or local level with an interest in established invasive species management.
The grants will help community groups to deliver workshops, resources and community engagement initiatives, build community capacity, and promote collaboration between neighbours and communities.
This round of grants will include an opportunity for groups that can demonstrate sustained community engagement over a minimum of two years, to purchase capital items with a value up to $10,000.
This will aid groups to move to the next stage of their engagement, education and management journey to purchase equipment for demonstration and education purposes in line with best practice management for their target species.
Applications close on Friday 4 July 2025 for 1- or 2-year projects between $10,000 and $50,000.
Agriculture Victoria encourages all eligible groups with innovative and impactful ideas to apply. For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website (below button) or talk to your regional engagement officer.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Regional Development Australia AI forum – Wangaratta
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Melbourne is partnering with Delos Delta, the National AI Centre, Australian Regional AI Centre and Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub to help explore opportunities and practical applications for AI in the regions.
Upcoming events follow RDA Melbourne’s highly successful 2024 AI forum in Bendigo – see some of the highlights here.
The events will be a platform for regional businesses to showcase how they have revolutionised their operations through innovative solutions, while providing attendees with the opportunity to hear from AI leaders in industry, academia, and governance.
Tickets are limited for each event, so get in soon to secure your spot!
AI Forum Wangaratta Region
Working with the Rural City of Wangaratta, RDA Melbourne is delivering an AI Forum that will showcase how Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies are being leveraged in the Hume region by SMEs. The event will feature keynotes, panel discussion, and deep-dive into current use cases with regional representation of businesses using AI.
AI speakers and presenters include Future Skills Organisation, Swinburne University of Technology Factory of the Future, Australian Regional AI Network, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub and more.
Date: Wednesday 11 June.
Location: Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.
VFF Stock Sense Sheep Essentials Webinar Series
When: Wednesday 11 June (Session 1), 18 June (Session 2), 6-7:30 pm
Where: Delivered via Zoom
Join sheep expert Alison Gunn for this webinar series.
Session 1 – Traceability 101, the dos and don’ts of sheep care, and what to look for when buying sheep.
Session 2 – Parasite management, vaccinations, and the importance of a vet/client relationship.
Webinar: Myth busting the seasonal outlook
Join us for a Zoom webinar designed to give farmers a comprehensive view of the forecasts for the weather in their specific districts so they can have the tools and the knowledge to plan for the future.
13 June, 12 noon to 1 pm.
Hear Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey discuss topics such as:
- Timing of the autumn break, historical analysis
- Why is autumn such a difficult time to accurately predict?
- Current climate influences
- Current forecasts for winter and spring
- Tools that are available to help with planning.
Know your number, control your future – Cohuna, Boort and Kerang
Join us to learn how understanding your farm’s number can help you improve efficiency, boost soil health and gain access to emerging markets, while providing practical insights to help futureproof your business and maintain profitability.
Cohuna - 17 June, 9:30 am to 2 pm, CFA Shed, 37 King Edward Street, Cohuna, barbecue lunch will be provided.
Boort - 18 June, 9:30 am to 2 pm, Memorial Hall, 115 Godfrey Street, Boort, barbecue lunch will be provided.
Kerang - 19 June, 9:30 am to 2 pm, Kerang Golf Club, Kerang, barbecue lunch will be provided.
Presenter: AgriSci P/L soil scientist Dr Cassandra Schefe.
These free workshops will feature locally relevant strategies and be delivered by people who have practical experience in agriculture. It will equip farmers with the information and resources they need to apply practical strategies that suit the way they farm today.
Topics include:
- improving soil health
- rotational grazing
- improving herd efficiency
- pasture planting
- manure management
- and more.
The workshop is presented by North Central Catchment Management Authority in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and Landcare Victoria.
In good times and bad: Adaptive skills for your farming future
When: 22-23 July, 8:30 am for 9 am start to 3 pm.
Where: Dookie College, 940 Dookie-Nalinga Road, Dookie.
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
Diversifying farm income
When: 27 June, 9:30 am
Where: Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre
The Murray Region Forestry Hub, in partnership with the North East Catchment Management Authority, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, and Wangaratta Rural City Council is proud to present a pivotal forum aimed at empowering landholders with practical and research-backed insights into the benefits of integrating forestry into farming systems.
This free event will take place on 27 June in Wangaratta, featuring a range of topics presented by leading specialists.
Irrigation Insights 2025
Irrigation Insights is designed to address the needs of irrigated farm systems offering growers access to information and the latest innovations. The conference program focuses on issues and opportunities for irrigated farm systems.
Event details
Date and time: Tuesday 22 July, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Venue: Rich River Golf Club, Moama
Save the date – Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – St Arnaud
St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan Street, St Arnaud.
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy.
8:30 am – 3 pm, 23 and 24 July.
Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go.
Presenters include Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting. Dale Grey and Jim Moran representing Ag Vic and Brendan Williams, Managing Director Autonomous Ag, on the latest in AgTech.
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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