Thursday 29 October 2026

Hot hay, high risk

Michele Jolliffe, Dairy Extension Officer, Hamilton

Harvest has started and so has the risk of heating hay. Every year, Victorian farmers lose hay, machinery and sheds to hay fires caused by heating bales.

A few simple checks in the weeks after baling can help prevent a costly and potentially dangerous fire.

The good news is that with regular monitoring and early action, many hay fires can be prevented.

Operation DJANGO fighting illegal exotic animal trade

Agriculture Victoria is continuing its crackdown on the illegal network trading in exotic pest animals, with another investigation resulting in convictions and significant fines.

A Melbourne aquarium business and its director have been convicted and fined a combined $25,000 for offences involving noxious aquatic species and the illegal trade of protected native wildlife.

Weaner management: keeping up the momentum

Ralph Behrendt, Senior Technical Specialist - Sheep and Beef Networks

After 2 tough years, many farmers across the state now have good numbers of lambs on the ground approaching weaning time.

Weaning is a routine job on the calendar. But for lambs, it is one of the biggest changes they will face.

Overnight, they move from relying on mum to find feed and guiding their day, to becoming a member of a new flock with a new hierarchy, where they need to find feed and water, and cope with weather, worms and other health challenges.

Most weaning problems can be reduced with good planning, preparation and regular monitoring.

Industry-backed projects boost Victorian livestock biosecurity

Agriculture Victoria has announced $13.78 million in grants through the 2026 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program to strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity system and help protect livestock industries from pests and diseases.

The program will support 36 projects across the state, investing in practical initiatives that improve livestock health, strengthen biosecurity preparedness and support industry resilience.

Supporting our farming communities

Agriculture Victoria continues to support agricultural and pastoral societies to bring regional communities together, support local economies and promote Victorian agriculture.

Agriculture Victoria Chief Executive Beth Jones said as part of the latest round of Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants, 46 successful organisations from across the state have been offered grants of up to $10,000

Locust response – current situation

Thanks to all the farmers and landholders who have been busy preparing for locust management this spring.

Surveillance from our teams and landholders means we know locusts are forming bands near Meringur, south-east of Werrimull, and along the Mallee Highway between Underbool and Murrayville.

Farmers have been telling us they’ve been spraying their land as a result – and we’re continuing our surveillance in the area and other high-risk parts of the Mallee and Wimmera.

Hatching is ongoing, and we’re seeing locusts at different growth stages, which means landholders may notice activity over a longer period.

If you’re in these areas, check your properties, be ready to spray bands before they can fly using an approved product, and report activity at agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportlocusts 

WorkSafe resources for a safe harvest

A successful and safe harvest starts with clear communication.

Whether you're a seasonal worker or an employer, you can access practical farm safety information in Bislama, Fijian, Samoan, Tongan and English.

The resources include videos and guides designed to support safer work practices on Victorian farms.

Looking after your wellbeing during H5 bird flu

H5 bird flu is present in wild birds in Victoria. The risk to the general public remains low. Bird flu rarely spreads to humans.

Many Victorians care deeply about wildlife and may feel upset when they see sick or dead birds or hear reports of the continued impact of bird flu.

Victorians are being encouraged to look after their mental health and wellbeing and seek support if they feel worried or distressed by seeing sick or dead birds in the environment.

H5 bird flu – current situation

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. 

Avoid direct contact. 
Record what you see. 
Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or using the online form.

Report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.

Report even 1 sick or dead:

• wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
• marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin).

As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.  

Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:  

• Rural Financial Counselling Service Wellbeing Counsellors – free, confidential wellbeing support alongside its usual financial and business counselling support
• Drought support events – workshops and events across the state supporting farmers in drought and recovery.  

To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.

Support for farmers and workers in the south west

Drought impacted farming families and workers in the south west are encouraged to access financial support to ease cost-of-living pressures caused by prolonged drought conditions.

Up to $1,000 is available for farmers, farm employees and farm dependent contractors in 11 south west local government areas and parts of the West Wimmera Shire through Household Financial Relief Payments coordinated by the Country Women's Association (CWA).

• Stay ahead of flystrike
• Are your bulls ready for joining?
• Applications sought for key livestock and biosecurity advisory roles
• Victorian landholders urged to act now before serrated tussock sets seed
• Backing communities to tackle weeds and pests
• AI bushfire camera boost ahead of summer fire season
• Helping Victorian farmers bring down energy bills

Perennial Pasture Systems spring farm tour

When: Sunday 8 November, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: 1504 Amphitheatre Road, Mount Lonarch
Cost: Free

Join Perennial Pasture Systems for a farm tour at Howell Pastoral near Amphitheatre. Learn how the Howell family manages perennial pastures, finishes lambs and uses stock containment areas during dry conditions.

Scott, Liz and Daniel Howell run a Primeline sheep operation. They use perennial pastures and a feedlot to finish lambs. Their pastures include ryegrass, phalaris, sub-clover, plantain and chicory.

You will have time to tour the farm, ask questions and discuss how these approaches could work on your farm. Attendance is free, with lunch included. Bookings are essential for catering – please include any dietary requirements when registering.

This event is being delivered by Perennial Pasture Systems on behalf of Agriculture Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package.

The Mitey Varroa update - webinar

Date and time: Tuesday 10 November, 7 pm

Free online webinar

Do you rely on European honey bees for pollination?

Join this webinar to learn how Varroa mite is affecting industries that rely on pollination in Victoria. Find out how you can prepare for changes that may affect your industry and business.

Hear from Joe Riordan from Bee Sure and Matt Lorenz from Lorenz Apiaries. They will cover:

• changes to pollination services
• how to find a suitable beekeeper
• how many hives you may need
• current pollination trends
• a beekeeper’s perspective on pollination.

Hamilton pasture field day

When: Tuesday 3 December, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Hamilton Smart Farm, Laidlaws Road, Buckley Swamp
Cost: Free

Join us at Agriculture Victoria's Hamilton SmartFarm for a field day showcasing 4 of our pasture projects. Join our team of researchers to:

• hear the latest from MultiMix on resilient, low-methane sheep grazing systems
• discover the new +1 Sustainable Ryegrass trial
• explore the Pasture 365 project for year-round feed production
• learn how Resilient Forages is developing productive, persistent pasture mixes for variable climates.

A tour of each of the project sites and free lunch is included. Although free, tickets are limited, so please register early.

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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