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Thursday 2 October 2025
Drought support available
Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.
Our website provides information on available supports, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services, and links to other organisations that can help.
You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.
Plus, find out about upcoming events in your region and online or by calling 136 186.
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 announced this week 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.
On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program
Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program now.
The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos.
For more information and to apply visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4eRWVxa
One-on-one farm advisory service
All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist.
The advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to help farmers take stock and develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is suited to your situation, from a consultant that you nominate from the registered panel.
Agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists and farm business advisors, can support you with:
- feed and water budgeting
- farm safety and workload management
- farm business and financial management
- soil health and pasture re-establishment
- animal health and welfare, and more.
For more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
New pasture research trials to boost sheep productivity
The Victorian Government is supporting a new research program at Agriculture Victoria’s Hamilton SmartFarm, using next generation technology to help Australian farmers raise healthier, more productive flocks.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced the MultiMix forage research program is now underway, to determine which combinations of multispecies pasture mixes work best for Australian sheep producers – research that will support meat sheep production while also cutting methane emissions.
The government is investing $2.4 million to support Agriculture Victoria to officially launch the program, with additional support from Meat & Livestock Australia and the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre (ZNE-Ag CRC), bringing the total funding to $5.5 million to deliver the 3-year program.
Five key tips for silage this season
Capitalising on the spring surplus will be critical on farms this year. While some things are out of our control, focusing on key factors will help ensure that you get the best possible return.
Five key factors for silage this season are:
- Only lock up pasture that is surplus to requirements.
Making silage can be an expensive exercise, so it only makes sense when pasture growth exceeds animal requirements. In a reasonable year on most farms, this generally occurs in early to mid-September.
- Use nitrogen (N) to increase dry matter yield but cut pasture within 6 weeks of application.
Once cutting is delayed beyond 6 weeks, the quality of the silage declines more rapidly than if no nitrogen is applied and this can result in large quantities of low-quality silage which is unsuitable to feed cows in the early stage of lactation.
By using rates of nitrogen up to 50 kg N/ha, responses of 18 kg DM/ha for every kg N applied, six weeks after application can be produced.
- Be prepared to cut pasture when the ryegrass component of the sward is just reaching early ear emergence.
Ideally, the plan is to cut pasture when the ryegrass component of the sward is at early ear emergence.
Due to the seasonal conditions this year, it is more likely that paddocks will be cut at a range of times, for example, when it is still vegetive or later than early ear emergence.
As a result, it will be critical to ensure that the forage hits dry matter targets quickly, so it doesn’t lose quality.
- Use tedders to increase the drying rate of cut material and so reduce the wilting period.
It has been shown that the use of tedders has a beneficial effect on both final silage metabolisable energy and crude protein. The length of the wilting period will be dictated by the type of silage to be made and weather conditions.
Given reasonable drying conditions material should be ready for pit silage within 48 hours and for bale silage within 72 hours.
- Ensile material quickly and seal well.
Star gazing disease in livestock
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
Following the seasonal conditions we have experienced this year, there is very little standing roughage in most paddocks. This has set the scene for cases of ‘star gazing disease’ also known as polio encephalomalacia.
Polio encephalomalacia occurs when an animal lacks enough thiamine (Vitamin B1), an essential nutrient for normal body metabolism. In healthy ruminants — cattle, sheep, and goats — thiamine is produced naturally in the rumen, the first stomach, where microbes aid in breaking down food.
However, if this microbial community is disturbed, thiamine levels can become dangerously low.
Any condition that disrupts the balance of rumen microbes can lead to thiamine deficiency. This includes grain poisoning, low-fibre diets, or an excess of sulphur in feed.
The disease most commonly affects well-grown calves or lambs aged between six and twelve months old, but it can affect animals of any age or sex.
Things to look out for
The earliest signs can be subtle: animals may seem lethargic, lose their appetite, or wander away from the herd. They may bump into objects, appear blind, or stand motionless — sometimes with their heads drooped, at other times gazing fixedly at the sky.
As the condition worsens, affected animals may experience convulsions, collapse with their head arched backward, and ultimately slip into a coma. Without treatment, death often occurs within 2 to 3 days.
But not every case is the same. Some animals are found dead without warning, while others show only mild symptoms and recover on their own.
Treatment and prevention
If caught early, the condition may potentially be reversed with an injection of thiamine, which is available without a prescription from veterinarians. Farmers are also advised to support the rest of the herd by offering high-fibre feed, which promotes a healthy rumen environment and consistent thiamine production.
Unfortunately, once blindness or paralysis occurs, the brain damage is often irreversible. In such cases, humane euthanasia is usually the only option.
Farmers are encouraged to seek advice from their local veterinarian. In Victoria, advice is also available from Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officers.
GRDC research scholarship applications closing soon
The GRDC Research Scholarship (GRS) is a 3-year top-up valued at over $38,850 per year, supporting PhD candidates whose research tackles challenges or creates opportunities in the Australian grains industry. It complements existing Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships and aligns with GRDC’s RD&E Plan 2023–28. Exceptional applicants without an RTP may also be considered, especially in areas needing research capacity.
- Deadline for submission enquiries – 8 October 2025
- Applications close – 15 October 2025
Fast Break
The Fast Break details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises 3 month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria.
View the latest issue for Victoria.
If you are interested in reading past issues of The Fast Break, please email dale.grey@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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
In case you missed it 📰
Silage, hay and pasture webinar series
Spring is here and silage, hay and pasture recovery will be top of mind for many producers.
Join us for our final lunchtime webinar in this series Bounce Back Pastures with Andrew Speirs from Meridian Agriculture running next Wednesday 8 October 12:30-1:30 pm
Protection from farm theft webinar
When: 7 October, 12-1 pm
Join co-founder of AgCloud Grant Sutton, a representative from Victoria Police Farm Crime Liaison Group and AgVic Grains Industry Officer Darryl Pearl for a timely webinar on how AgTech and strong biosecurity protocols can protect your farm assets.
Contact Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711 or darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au to learn more.
Farm business health check
When: 8 October, 8:30-11 am
Where: Nareen Hall
Join us for a free breakfast and hear from guest speaker Neville Brady. Neville will speak about improving team (family) performance by reducing conflict. You will get a farm business health check, looking at gaps between actual and ideal structures
RSVP: Sardie on 0478 053 943.
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 (Ag Vic) followed by an inspection of a soil moisture probe, grain silos and a complimentary dinner.
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.
Boosting livestock performance with eID
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
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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