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Thursday 20 February 2025
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.
Learn more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu
Report any unexplained sick or dead poultry or birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Avian influenza detected at third nearby property
Agriculture Victoria has confirmed H7N8 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) on a third poultry farm in Euroa. This new detection is in close proximity to the 2 other infected properties.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell said given the close proximity of these properties, this new detection is not unexpected, and that Agriculture Victoria staff are on the ground working closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus.
Control orders have been in place since H7 was first detected on a poultry farm on 8 February, restricting the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment, and vehicles on or off properties in designated zones around the infected properties to prevent disease spread.
These zones include a restricted area covering a 5 km radius around the farms, with a broader control area spanning east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway and including the townships of Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie.
‘If you are in the control or restricted areas, you cannot move birds, products (including eggs and manure) or equipment into, out of, or within the area without permit,’ Dr Bell said.
‘This includes selling or giving away eggs from your poultry – these must not leave your property.’
With the confirmation of H7N8 on a third property, a housing requirement remains in place for properties with 50 or more poultry in the restricted area. This includes Euroa and extends approximately 5 km from the affected properties in all directions.
To reduce the risk of further disease, birds on these properties must be kept in cages or sheds to avoid contact with other birds. This is a proven method to minimise direct contact between poultry and wild birds.
Poultry and bird owners are reminded to keep sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean and to restrict contact with wild birds. They should ensure their footwear is clean and wash hands before and after handling birds or eggs. New birds should be quarantined before being integrated with existing ones.
‘A strong biosecurity system relies on everyone playing their part,’ he said.
‘Immediate notification from poultry owners when they notice their poultry are unwell is crucial to us getting on top of this outbreak.’
Community members must report suspect disease and sudden poultry death by calling the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Dr Bell thanked the impacted properties for their cooperation and reassured Victorians that supermarket eggs and poultry products remain safe to consume.
For more information, including checking whether you are in the restricted area or control area, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza
Worm burdens – is it the time right to strike?
Cast your mind back to recent years, the relatively wet summers of 2021-23 led to high worm burdens in your livestock.
This summer we experienced a burst of early rain in December that may have reduced the effectiveness of an early summer drench.
Since then, it has been relatively hot and dry, and this may provide you a window of opportunity to give an effective, strategic summer drench.
Strategic summer drenching usually involves an effective drench at the beginning and end of summer. This is to take advantage of the destruction of worm larvae on pasture by heat and the lack of moisture.
The life cycle of the worm involves both your pasture and the animal. While the drench fixes the animal problem, the hot, dry conditions of summer will help eliminate the pasture problem.
Before doing so, it is worth establishing which, if any, parts of your flock require drenching.
Drenching is both expensive and time consuming therefore pre-drench faecal egg counts (FECs) will put some science and evidence into whether to drench.
Furthermore, worm resistance, particularly to the white and clear drenches, is common in Victoria.
Unnecessary overuse and the incorrect use of drenches just add to the problem.
Ineffective chemicals and/or an inadequate drench procedure can reduce the effectiveness of summer drenching.
After drenching, try to put your sheep onto low-risk pastures. These may be paddocks previously grazed by cattle, cut for hay or silage, or grazed by low-risk sheep such as older wethers.
Ewes rearing lambs, and lambs after weaning are the most susceptible sheep in terms of worm burdens.
Large reinfestations of worms can occur in as little as 3 to 6 weeks if your drenching program is ineffective.
For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
Spot and report: Protect Victoria from harmful weeds this summer
Enjoying Victoria’s beautiful outdoors this summer? You can help protect it by stopping 3 harmful weeds: water hyacinth, salvinia, and alligator weed.
These state prohibited weeds kill fish and frogs, threaten native plants, block waterways, pipes and drains, and – in the case of alligator weed - even risk human health.
Growing, trading or sharing these weeds is illegal in Victoria.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
One of the world’s worst water weeds, water hyacinth blocks sunlight and clogs waterways. It kills fish and frogs and helps mosquitoes breed. Birds and floods can spread seeds and plants to nearby rivers and lakes, where it’s hard and costly to control.
Look for its glossy green leaves and purple-blue flowers.
Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
Salvinia spreads quickly, infesting rivers, dams, lakes, and irrigation channels, harming farms and waterways. Its floating leaves have a hairy surface, and its submerged leaves look like roots.
Small fragments from ponds or aquariums can spread this weed.
Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)
Alligator weed grows on land and in water, blocking irrigation systems and contaminating pastures. It has bright green leaves in pairs and small white flowers on stalks. Though it looks like edible greens, it is unsafe to eat.
Alligator weed is banned in Victoria, and health experts warn that eating it could cause health issues.
Spot and report these weeds - free removal available in Victoria
What to Do
If you think you’ve seen one of these weeds, contact Agriculture Victoria:
Call 136 186
Email weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Visit:
Where will you place your livestock during an emergency?
It’s crucial to have a refuge area/paddock or stock containment area ready for your livestock during emergencies, with adequate feed and water for their safety.
Use the Fire Preparedness Toolkit and web resources to start planning for stock containment areas, emergency feeding and water budgeting.
Apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure grant today
Eligible drought-affected farmers in the south west can now apply for up to $5,000 in co-contribution grants to support establishing on-farm infrastructure such as:
- 💧 water infrastructure upgrades (pipes, tanks, troughs, dams)
- 🐑 stock containment areas
- 🌾 grain and fodder storage.
For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186
Raising spirits: grants open to boost Victorian distilleries
The Victorian Government is supporting local distillers to expand production, create innovative new products and reach more customers than ever before.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence visited Bakery Hill Distillery in Kensington to announce the opening of applications for the Business Growth Fit-for Purpose grants as part of the Distillery Door Program.
Grants of up to $200,000 are available for tailored projects that help distillers to grow their business with new equipment, technology, or promotional projects.
Applications will be open for six weeks, closing on 25 March. For further details and to apply, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.
AgTech Innovators
Interested in attracting investment for your AgTech startup?
Dr Madeline Mitchell, previously from Breakthrough Victoria, discusses how her organisation identifies and invests in the agrifood startup ecosystem.
She also shares some insights on how you can better position your startup for success.
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.
GRDC events
Grains Research Update
Location: Ulumbarra Theatre, Gaol Road, Bendigo
Date: 25-26 Feb, 9 am - 4 pm
Grains Research Update - Skipton
Location: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, 26 Rokewood Skipton Road, Skipton
Date: 27 Feb, 9 am - 1 pm
Coming up
PREDICTA®B: 2025 Soilborne Disease Workshop,
GRDC Grains Research Updates, online
- 5 Mar: Seed quality and implications for sowing
- 12 Mar: Strategic use of zinc phosphide for successful mouse control
GRDC Farm Business Updates, online
On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot update
Join our upcoming webinar to hear from our On-Farm Emissions Action Plan pilot team. The team has been working with 250 farm businesses across Victoria to estimate their emissions profile and identify actions to manage and reduce emissions while maintaining productivity.
The team will provide an update and share insights on the emissions pilot and participant Jonathan Jenkin will discuss his experience with the program and how they have used their action plan and knowledge of their emissions to make changes on the farm.
Click here for more information and to stay up to date with our upcoming climate webinars.
Date: 27 February, 12-1 pm
HERD 25
Herd'25 is a biennial conference with a program tailored to attract the herd improvement, genetics and animal performance industry.
Location: All Seasons Resort Hotel, Bendigo
Date: 12-13 Mar
Looking after your livestock, looking after you
Farmers are invited to a one-day workshop to help keep your animals and you going during challenging times.
Locations: Goroke Community Centre, 85-101 Main St, Goroke
North Park Community Sports Centre, Lamont Street, Stawell
Dates: 13 Mar, 9 am - 3 pm (Goroke)
31 Mar, 9 am - 3 pm (Stawell)
Low emissions farming with Cam Nicholson
A free workshop designed to equip farmers with the information and resources they need to track and manage their farm carbon emissions
Register with Wimmera CMA online here or contact Bronwyn Bant at bronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au
Location: Great Western Hall, 103 Main St, Great Western
Date: 17 Mar, 2-6 pm
Location: Taylors Lake Hall, 2032 Horsham-Lubeck Road, St Helen's Plains
Date: 18 Mar, 1-5 pm
All you need to know about water workshop
Everything you need to know about farm water.
Location: 2 Moyston Great Western Road, Moyston
Dates: 18 Mar and 25 Mar, 10 am - 3 pm
Watertight water planning workshop
How much water do you have, how much do you need and is it the right quality for the job?
Agriculture Victoria, Southern Rural Water and farmers will present on a range of topics such as preparing a water plan, pipeline hydraulics and water quality for livestock and sprays.
Wednesday 27 March
8:30 am registration for 9 am start
9am – 3 pm
Location: 'Fernleigh Park', 2713 Ballan-Meredith Road Fiskville
Date: 27 Mar, 9 am - 3 pm
Nhill South pre-sowing meeting
Pest and weed management and crop establishment
Together with Nhill South Landcare Group we invite farmers in the district to a barbecue and pre-sowing meeting.
Location: Winiam Hall Corner Nhill-Harrow Rd and Winiam Hall Rd, Winiam
Date: 12 Mar 5:30 pm for dinner followed by meeting
Please RSVP by text to Rodney Bound,
Secretary - Nhill South Landcare Group
0417 577 823.
Wimmera Machinery Field Days
Find us in a new location this year in the Moore Pavilion opposite Wimmera CMA.
Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers and industry to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, including fires.
Visit our stand for information on the events, support resources and grants available while catching up with Agriculture Victoria’s grains, seasonal risk and meat and wool staff.
Grab some fire recovery, crop variety disease updates and biosecurity resources.
Location: Moore Pavilion, Wimmera Machinery Field Days Site, Field Days Road Longerenong Vic 3401
Date: 4-6 Mar, 8 am - 5 pm
Birchip Cropping Group 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 the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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