Apologies readers, the most current content did not ship to you yesterday. Please find it below. Thanks, Anna No images? Click here ![]() Thursday 3 July 2025 Drought support for south west farmersAgriculture 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. Drought support![]() Farmers anywhere in Victoria can register now for a one-on-one farm advisory consultation to take stock and discuss the best way forward for their business. The consultation includes a session of up to 3 hours (face to face or online) and follow-up call, to develop and implement a drought management action plan. When registering for the program, participants can indicate their preferred consultant from an extensive list of experienced service providers. To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186. ![]() Soil needed to dig deeper into microbiome research![]() On World Microbiome Day, Agriculture Victoria launched an expression of interest campaign to encourage farmers to donate soil samples to a National Soil Action Plan-funded research project. Funded by the Australian and Victorian governments, the ‘Soil biodiversity across landscapes’ project will seek to implement priority actions from the plan under the National Soil Strategy Agriculture Victoria Research (AVR) principal scientist Tim Sawbridge said he hoped to attract interest from at least 50 farmers statewide. ‘We are looking at what microbiomes exist in soil and how they function across natural and farmed environments,’ Dr Sawbridge said. ‘A soil microbiome is a community of microbes, bacteria, invertebrates and other life forms that live within soil. ‘To gain a deep understanding of their role in soil health, we’re wanting a broad range of samples from various production zones and agricultural industries in Victoria.’ AVR is working alongside the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) on the project to collect and analyse samples of soil from across the state. ARI has provided over 200 samples from public land, such as state forests and parks and reserves, to AVR for analysis. Samples are being taken at Agriculture Victoria’s SmartFarms, including over time at the existing DairySoils study* at Ellinbank SmartFarm. ‘We anticipate that farmers who express interest in submitting samples to the project will have a natural curiosity about what is living within their soil,’ Dr Sawbridge said. ‘Everyone is set to gain from this project. ‘Researchers, farmers and land conservationists will learn more about the benefits of this microscopic subterranean world. ‘We may discover ways to influence the microbiome’s effect on soil productivity, nutrient uptake, soil carbon and soil capacity to recover and maintain resilience in a changing climate.’ To express interest in participating in the project, farmers should email soil.microbiome@agriculture.vic.gov.au by 5 pm, Tuesday 30 September. Soil samples will be taken from a single geo-location to a depth of 10 cm and 30 cm from a small area on the farm. The soil structure, chemistry, botanical information and DNA will be analysed and barcoded for comparison with other samples in the dataset. This project has been funded by the Australian and Victorian governments through the National Soil Action Plan 2023 to 2028. You can read more about this project at www.premier.vic.gov.au/research-investment-digs-future-soil-health * DairySoils is a project under the DairyFeedbase 23–28 research initiative, aimed at improving soil health in dairy farming, funded by Agriculture Victoria, Gardiner Foundation and Dairy Australia. Every record mattersMillions of livestock are travelling into, out of, and across Victoria each year and when an emergency happens, Agriculture Victoria needs to know where they are. Quick traceability means we can contain and eradicate emergency animal diseases and contact livestock owners to assess animal welfare needs when there is a fire or flood. This helps to reduce the impacts on individual farmers and the wider industry. The database isn’t just used in emergencies. Last year there were 33 million livestock movements recorded in Victoria and the database is used by Agriculture Victoria every day to assist stock agents with tracking consignments and undertaking tracebacks on livestock for national residue survey audits. There are three parts to Victoria’s world-class traceability system:
Up-to-date records are vital and protecting our livestock industry relies on us all doing our part. When cattle arrive at your property it’s your legal responsibility to ensure the National Livestock Identification System database is updated within two days. This includes cattle on agistment. The NLIS can be updated by you, a stock agent, a farm manager or contractor. Cattle tagging and recording of movements are a vital part of our protecting farming industry and wider community. For more information call our NLIS helpline on 1800 678 779 between 9 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/p2p If your property doesn’t have a PIC visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/pic Backing workers in our world-class wine industryThe Victorian Government is investing in the sustainability and profitability of Victoria’s prestigious wine industry – backing regional jobs and tourism. Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced a $160,000 investment to support Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to improve their practises and outcomes. GRDC kicks off breakthrough RD&E push alongside the grains industryThe Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is kick-starting engagement to shape the next phase of research, development and extension (RD&E) investment aimed at tackling long-term challenges and unlocking breakthrough opportunities for Australia’s grain industry. The engagement follows the completion of an expert, independent review to determine the ‘right-size’ RD&E investment to continue the remarkable progress driven by Australian grain growers alongside GRDC. Premier Ag Tech event returns to Victoria in 2026The Victorian Government is proud to welcome Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood innovation event evokeAG to Melbourne – a forum bringing the brightest minds in agtech, food production, research and agricultural investment. Led by AgriFutures Australia, evokeAG is a leading global agrifood technology and innovation event that unites the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific and around the world. Securing affordable care For Victorian pets statewideVictorian pet owners will benefit from expanded and upgraded services delivered by not-for-profit animal care organisations across the state thanks to the Victorian Government. Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced 33 successful grant recipients as part of Round 12 of the Animal Welfare Fund Grants program, with a total of $1.6 million awarded in this round. What's OnDetails about these events and more can be found on our website. Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool, Ultima and St Arnaud![]() When: 23 and 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm Join Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting for a Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success 2-day workshop series commencing in Underbool Wednesday 23 July followed by workshops in Ultima and St Arnaud. Learn:
Catch up with Ag Vic experts Dale Grey and Jim Moran to discuss seasonal risk and biosecurity concerns. Hear Brendan Williams from Autonomous Ag talk about latest in AgTech. On-farm emissions for advisorsWhen: Monday 14 July, 2-4 pm This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions. Cam Nicholson will share insights into how ag industry advisors can assist farmers to best position their business for a low carbon emission future. Drip irrigation monitoring and maintenance courseWhen: Monday 15 July, 2-4 pm Join Jeremy Giddings (AgVic) and Peter Henry (Netafim) for this free event. Please bring your irrigation design to this session. Topics:
Places are limited so please book your spot in advance. Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Cam NicholsonWhen: Tuesday 15 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions. Why should farmers attend? New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm’s carbon emissions. Presenter Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Dr Cass SchefeWhen: 22 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions. It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future. Why should farmers attend? New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm's carbon emissions. Australian Brassica Conference 2025When: 21-23 July The 22nd Australian Brassica Conference (ABC) is held every 2 years and is the peak Australian conference for canola research and development, focussed on advancement of canola production and utilisation. The conference will bring together scientists and representatives from the canola/oilseeds sector to showcase new developments. Talk the talk workshop![]() When: 22 July, 3:30-5:30 pm A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges. Bookings essential by 17 July. From Feed Test to Feed BudgetWhen: 23 July, 12:30 pm Inviting livestock farmers to a Zoom webinar on working out your additional supplement to get the most of the feed you have. Presenters and topics Presented by Agriculture Victoria, Livestock Extension Officer Nick Linden will discuss feed quality, livestock requirements and how to make the most of what you have. Livestock Extension Officer Chris Blore will talk about the current drought support available. GRDC events![]() 24 July, 9 am - 1 pm GRDC Grains Research Update – Manangatang 7 August, 9 am - 1 pm GRDC Grains Research Update – Dimboola Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more. Birchip Cropping Group events![]() Visit www.bcg.org.au/events 10 September 9 am - 5 pm BCG Main Field Day ![]() Contacting Agriculture VictoriaCall 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 This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now. |