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Thursday 3 April 2025
Seymour Alternative Farming Expo
We’ll be at the Alternative Farming Expo in Seymour this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
At Site L14, near the General Exhibition building.
Drop by for avian influenza, new poultry standards, safe eggs at home, dry seasonal conditions and mental health information, support and advice.
We’ll also have our much-loved ‘Backyard biosecurity’ kids’ activity packs to give away.
Where: Kings Park, Tallarook Street, Seymour.
For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu
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.
H7 avian influenza restrictions reduced in northern Victoria
Restrictions on poultry owners near the H7N8 avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak near Euroa have been reduced, following no new detections since 24 February 2025.
As of Monday 31 March 2025, the current control area will be reduced to about 40 kilometres from east to west, and 30 kilometres from north to south, including Euroa and Longwood. Mandatory movement controls are no longer in place for townships including Violet Town, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie, as well as for game bird hunters and hunting activities in these areas.
The housing requirement for premises with 50 or more birds in the restricted area is now also lifted, with the voluntary housing of birds still encouraged.
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.
Victorian Regional Development Australia Deputy Chair and Member position 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.
Deputy Chairs focus on the economic development of their region, with the exception of RDA Melbourne, which works to identify and facilitate economic development opportunities between regional RDAs and capital city stakeholders.
RDA Committee Members are active contributors to the outcomes of a diverse group of individuals working in a complex environment to deliver high value outcomes for the state or community and region. Members are active drivers of economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in their region.
Applications are sought from business and community leaders who have a proven track record of achieving meaningful outcomes in a complex environment.
Women, First Nations Australians, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and people with disability are encouraged to apply.
Successful applicants will commence in their role from 1 July 2025.
Applications close 30 April 2025 at 5 pm.
Visit the Victorian RDA website for further information and an application pack.
Report sick or dead birds or wildlife
High pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in poultry in the Euroa area within Strathbogie Shire. Control measures are in place to prevent further spread.
Visit the website for more information on Avian influenza.
Report any unexplained sick or dead poultry or birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
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.
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.
In case you missed it 📰
Media articles
NVT Harvest Report - The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is proud to provide the Mallee, South Australia and Victoria Interim NVT Harvest Report. 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.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Webinar: CivVic Labs Circular Ag Challenge Information Session
How can technology unlock circular economy opportunities in agriculture?
Circular agriculture is about maximising efficiency, reducing waste, and creating new revenue streams within existing farming systems. It’s not just about sustainability- it’s about doing smart business.
When: Tuesday, 8 April, 11 am – 12 pm
GRDC and SPAA Webinar – Unlocking automation – connectivity and boundary establishment
Date: Wednesday 9 April, 12:30 – 1:30pm
The webinar will include:
- Bindi Isbister (Agrarian Management) presenting on aligning agronomy with technology: VRT setup and validation with on farm trials
- Tom Andrews (Connected Farms) presenting on the right kind of connectivity for automation
- Concluding with a panel session where Bindi Isbister will be joined by growers James Venning (Barunga Grains) and Tom Longmire (Longmire Family).
Managing animal health risks following dry seasons
Hosted by the Gecko Clan Landcare Network, be better informed about what you can do
to manage animal health risks following dry seasons and into the Autumn break.
Hear the latest advice on vaccinations, drenches, supplements and what to look
out for to keep your herd and flocks healthy.
When: Thursday 10 April, 6 - 9:30 pm - dinner supplied
Where: Euroa - Address supplied on booking.
Registrations are essential.
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.
VFF Stock Sense stock handling workshop – Echuca
Bringing together local farmers and industry experts to discuss key strategies for improving safety and productivity on your farm.
When: Thursday April 10, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Echuca and District Livestock Exchange, 520 McKenzie Rd, Echuca.
Managing On-Farm Safety and Security
Do you want to hear about some options for managing and monitoring farm security and safety?
If you answered yes, then Agriculture Victoria has the workshop for you!
Location: Colbinabbin Country Hotel, 18 Mitchell Street Colbinabbin
When: Thursday, 17 April, from 9 am – 12.30 pm.
This free workshop will cover key risks in managing farm security and explore practical solutions to mitigate them. Led by Grant Sutton, co-founder of AgCloud, the session will focus on farm security challenges and the latest advancements in technology to address them.
Topics will include camera solutions, AI-based machine learning, connectivity, and cybersecurity. Participants will gain insights into how these tools can help protect farm properties, assets, and operations more effectively.
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
The presenter - Grant has worked in the IT industry for 24 years, with the past 7 years dedicated to developing technology solutions for agriculture. He and his team provide connectivity, asset monitoring, cybersecurity, and other IT solutions, supporting farmers across Victoria. Grant is passionate about combining agriculture and technology in ways that have real and practical applications.
For queries about this workshop and other upcoming events contact: Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711 or at darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au or Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024 or at roger.harrower@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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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