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Thursday 9 October 2025
Cash back into the pockets of drought-affected farmers
The Victorian Government is driving down business costs for Victorian primary producers and providing critical cash flow help for drought affected farmers.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the rollout of the Duties and Fees Relief Package, which will waive fees for farmers over the next financial year and deliver more than $10 million in relief to Victorian producers.
World first beetle lure developed for almond crops
Agriculture Victoria research scientists have developed a new, pesticide-free way to help almond growers manage a major pest in their orchards.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Research Scientist Dr Samantha Edley said the almond carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncatus) is a serious challenge for almond growers, but a world-first lure developed at AgriBio and trialled at the Mildura SmartFarm offers a targeted approach to tackling it.
Keeping soil in place when your paddocks are bare
By Kerri Goschnick, Land Management Extension Officer
Maintenance is the key to reducing soil and sediment movement in paddocks. While spring rain is valuable for pastures and replenishing farm dams, run-off may also carry sediment into livestock dams, particularly where there is exposed soil in heavily grazed paddocks.
Hay bales or netting held together with steel posts or stakes to control sediment flow into dams can be a good starting point, although the cost of hay and the hazard of steel posts should be considered. Coir logs are a potential alternative to hay bales.
New wine strategy to boost regional jobs and growth
The Victorian Government is shaping the future of Victoria’s wine industry – creating more regional jobs and helping grow the state’s $9.5 billion wine sector.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has unveiled a 5-year strategy to grow agriculture, boost innovation, and create jobs that strengthen regional economies.
The strategy was developed in partnership with industry through a steering committee, which included Wine Victoria CEO Stephanie Duboudin and Chair Dan Sims, following extensive consultation.
Victoria’s duck abundance survey about to begin
The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual survey of Victoria’s game duck population on Tuesday, 21 October 2025.
The survey will be conducted by wildlife biologists, who will record the presence, species and number of game ducks at more than 850 waterbodies across Victoria, including wetlands, farm dams, sewerage treatment plants, streams and rivers. The survey will also include ground counts where the helicopter is unable to operate.
The results of the survey will be published on the GMA website in 2026.
For more information, including a map of the proposed flight path click here.
Drive change: Be the next VGT Chair
The VGT is seeking a passionate and strategic leader to step into the role of Chair. This is a unique opportunity to guide the development of VGT’s new gorse strategy and help shape the future direction of community-led pest plant management across the state.
As Chair, you’ll work closely with landholders, community groups, and government partners to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and ensure gorse control efforts are effective and sustainable.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and lead the next chapter of VGT’s work, we encourage you to apply. Applications close 7 November 2025
Get fire ready
Victorians are being urged to prepare for the upcoming fire season, as part of CFA’s “Get Fire Ready” month during October.
CFA brigades are hosting activities at fire stations and community events to meet residents and provide practical advice on how they can plan for what may be an increased fire risk this summer.
Ag Vic Talk season 10 - Beekeepers vs Varroa: Survival, Support and Strategy with Mike Allerton and Jamie Perry-Meijer
In this compelling Farming Safe and Well episode, beekeeper Mike Allerton shares his personal journey through the Varroa mite outbreak - navigating hive losses, grief, and rebuilding with determination. He reflects on the emotional toll of this ongoing biosecurity challenge and the importance of peer support in the beekeeping community.
Joining him is Jamie Perry-Meijer, Resilience Officer, National Varroa Mite Management Program, who discusses the transition from eradication to management, the mental health impacts on apiarists, and the resources available to help beekeepers.
🎧 Listen now to hear how beekeepers are dealing with Varroa mite, looking after their mental health, and finding support through tough times: https://go.vic.gov.au/3VHEpPa
Varroa resources: https://varroa.org.au
Soil moisture probes and grain storage
When: Monday 13 October, 3-6 pm
Where: 'Girvan Lea', 55 McGenniskens Road, Wonwondah
Join fellow farmers for a practical, on-farm workshop designed to help you get the most out of the Wimmera soil moisture probe network and improve your grain storage practices.
The workshop will include presentations by Chris Warrick GRDC grain storage specialist, Tim Powell (Integrated Irrigation) and Dale Boyd (Agriculture Victoria) followed by an inspection of a soil moisture probe, grain silos and a complimentary dinner.
Spring webinar series: Bounce back pastures
When: Wednesday 5 October, 12:30-13:30 pm
Join Andrew Speirs, senior agronomy consultant, Meridian Agriculture as he shares insights into the impact of drought and if pastures will bounce back, how individual species have coped and practical recovery strategies for post-drought success.
WCMA Otways livestock and landscape tour
When: Monday 20 October
Where: Yan Yan Gurt West Farm, Otways
Join WCMA on a free bus tour to the Otways to visit a thriving carbon-neutral prime lamb operation with a strong focus on biodiversity.
Pickups and drop offs from Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Skipton and Beeac
Wimmera Pulse Field Day
When: Wednesday 22 October, 8:30 am for 9 am start to 1 pm
Where: 500m north of the intersection at Dimboola-Minyip Road and Keenan’s Road, Kewell. Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kbFsH4o8kKVaPbVx6
Join our pulse agronomists, researchers and experts from across the pulse industry for our annual field day and trials showcase at Kewell.
See firsthand the results of our trials in lentil, field pea, chickpea and faba bean.
Carbon Farming Outreach Program webinar
When: Friday 7 November, 3-5 pm
Join Elise Bowen, a trusted expert in sheep production from Sheep Data Management, for a webinar focussing on practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
A Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program event.
GRDC events
15 October, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm New Frontiers Grainstorming – Bendigo
23 October, 7-8:30 pm, New Frontiers Grainstorming, online – Workshop 1
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/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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