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Thursday 20 August 2026
H5 bird flu update
From 20 August, bird flu reporting in Victoria has changed to align with the national reporting framework.
We now report H5 bird flu events, rather than individual detections. The new number of positive events captures all previously reported individual confirmed detections.
You can explore confirmed events on our interactive map.
H5 bird flu has not been detected in poultry and has not become established in any part of Australia.
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 or using the form below.
For updates, visit the Agriculture Victoria website regularly and follow Agriculture Victoria on Facebook.
For more information about the situation across Australia, visit Bird flu.
Celebrating National Science Week
Ever wondered where scientists go to identify a mystery insect?
At AgriBio, the Victorian Agricultural Invertebrate Collection holds thousands of preserved insect and invertebrate specimens collected over many decades.
The collection is maintained by entomologists and biosecurity specialists who use it to identify pests and help protect Victoria's agriculture from new biosecurity threats.
Every specimen tells a story. Together, they provide a record of how insect populations, pests and beneficial species have changed over time.
As we celebrate National Science Week, we're shining a light on the collections and scientific expertise that help protect Victoria's farms, food supply and environment
25 years of genomics driving smarter farming worldwide
Victoria is marking 25 years since a landmark international study co-authored by Victorian scientists helped establish genomic selection as a powerful tool used around the world to improve how farmers breed healthier animals and grow better crops.
Agriculture Victoria Head Agriculture Science and Technology Simone Warner said the 2001 research provided the foundations for a method that has changed how breeders make decisions.
'This work has shaped breeding programs around the world, delivering industry benefits since 2016, with even greater gains projected according to DataGene analysis, and reflects the long-term contribution of Victorian scientists to global agricultural research.
Fire season farm preparedness webinar
Victorian farmers and rural landholders are invited to attend a webinar on Wednesday 2 September at 7 pm to help prepare for the upcoming fire season.
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer Kylie Macreadie said managing the risk of bushfire on your farm is essential.
‘Whether you are a livestock producer, equine property owner, small landholder, hobby farmer or new to farming planning now for the fire season can help reduce stress and ensure your people, property, animals and business are prepared.
Workshopping to future proof your farm business
Farmers from the Wimmera and southern Mallee are encouraged to attend a two-day workshop in early September to develop practical strategies to prepare their farm business for the future.
Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Grains, Felicity Pritchard said consultant Dr Kate Burke’s evidence-based approach will help participants develop a plan for their farm’s success.
‘Dr Burke brings a wealth of experience in broadacre and mixed farming, crop agronomy, succession planning and farm business management.
Strengthening biosecurity legislation in Victoria
Agriculture Victoria has released a summary of community and stakeholder feedback on proposed reforms to strengthen Victoria's biosecurity legislation.
Feedback showed strong support for a shared responsibility approach to managing biosecurity risks and improving livestock PIC data to support traceability and emergency response. The summary also highlights the importance of practical guidance, education and clear expectations to support implementation.
For more information, please contact animal.biosecurity@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Biosecurity Reference Group EOIs closing soon
Victorians with an interest in protecting and enhancing biosecurity are encouraged to apply for Biosecurity Reference Group (BRG).
Agriculture Victoria is seeking expressions of interest for the third term of the BRG, from 2026 to 2029.
The group brings together people from across Victoria to provide independent advice and support the implementation of Victoria's Biosecurity Strategy.
Applications close Sunday 23 August at 11:59 pm.
Prepare now for spring plague locust hatchings
Now is the time to prepare for spring plague locust hatchings
The risk of plague locusts has increased across Victoria due to favourable autumn and winter conditions, more egg laying, and high locust numbers in New South Wales and South Australia. Egg hatching is expected to occur sooner than originally predicted.
Mallee: moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from mid-September.
Wimmera: low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from late September.
Now is the time to prepare:
- check paddocks, roadsides and bare or lightly grassed areas for egg beds
- learn what young locusts look like
- get your chemical and management plans ready.
Spraying is most effective about 2 weeks after hatching, when young locusts can’t fly and start to band together.
See locusts? Report them to us. Early reporting helps track locust movements and supports timely management responses.
Celebrating National Biosecurity Week
From paddock to plate, every meal starts with preparedness, prevention and protection.
By working together to detect and respond to animal disease threats early, we all help to protect the livestock industries that feed Australia.
In #BioWeekAU, take a moment to learn how preparedness strengthens Australia’s resilience and helps safeguard our food supply.
When it comes to biosecurity, being prepared today helps protect tomorrow’s herds and flocks.
Significant Disease Investigation program research
Agriculture Victoria is undertaking an evaluation, from a producer’s perspective, of the Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) program. The program provides subsidies to private veterinarians to undertake comprehensive investigations of significant disease events. It also provides subsidies to livestock producers when they engage a private veterinarian to investigate a disease outbreak.
This program ultimately enhances Victoria’s ability to detect and to respond to suspect emergency animal diseases and subsequently helps to boost Australia’s overall surveillance capacity.
The aim of the research is to understand how the SDI program can best support producers, as well as deliver the desired animal disease surveillance outcomes. Feedback from cattle producers who have used the program will help to shape future improvements.
If you have participated in the SDI program and would like to share your experience, please contact Will Daniel from Verian Research on will.daniel@veriangroup.com
Participants will receive a $150 e-gift card for sharing your thoughts with Verian via a one-on-one conversation.
Bushfire information
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
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).
Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan
Pictured: RIC Drought Hardship Loans are available for farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts.
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support: drought.gov.au
- Backing wildlife volunteers to respond to bird flu
- Protecting Victoria's penguins from bird flu
- Victorians invited to help shape biosecurity in the state
- Lifting lamb survival through better lambing management
- Agricultural and pastoral society grants now open
- Gippsland Red Meat Conference comes to Sale
- Grants for timber and fibre businesses to innovate
WorkSafe Noise Basics workshop
When: Thursday 3 September 9 am – 12 pm; and Wednesday 9 September 1–4 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Noise Basics is a free education program helping Victorian employers who manage occupational health and safety (OHS) in small to medium businesses. Get practical tools to prevent noise-related injuries, improve safety and support a more productive workplace.
The online workshop helps you:
- improve your knowledge about the types of occupational noise and what makes it hazardous (e. g. level of noise to which employees are exposed, duration of exposure to the noise, systems of work, plant and other sources of noise at the workplace)
- improve your risk management practices in relation to occupational noise
- understand your OHS responsibilities
- spot early warning signs of an injury from occupational noise
- access free resources and support tools
- keep your workplace safe.
The workshops are designed for Victorian employers, managers and supervisors with OHS responsibilities; and small and medium-sized businesses (1-199 employees), including full-time, part-time and casual workers.
Springing back better – strategies that count
Woolsthorpe: Friday 21 August, 10:30 am – 12 pm
Where: The Union Hotel, 23 Manifold Street Woolsthorpe
Cobden: Monday 24 August, 7–8:30 pm
Where: Thompson's Hotel, 36 Curdie Street Cobden
Colac: Wednesday 26 August, 10:30 am – 12 pm
Where: Colac Bowling Club, 35 Moore Street Colac
Come along, hear what's worked for others in recent seasons, and pick up ideas to set up for spring and beyond. The discussion will cover:
- learnings and successful farm strategies that farmers have used to manage the drought and prepare for the future
- key decisions for a successful spring, including nitrogen fertiliser use and maximising fodder production.
There will be time to catch up with others over a meal.
This workshop is brought to you by Agriculture Victoria and WestVic Dairy as part of the Farm Business Resilience Program.
The FBR Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government's Sustainability Fund.
BredWell FedWell Sheep Workshop
When: Thursday 27 August, 8:30 am
Where: 59 West Lake Road Croxton East
BredWell FedWell (BWFW) is a practical, one-day introductory workshop on how productivity and profitability can be improved through good breeding and feeding over the livestock production cycle, with a specific focus on profit drivers. On the back of a decade of success, the BWFW workshops have been redeveloped to reflect evolving best practice genetics and nutrition management.
Workshops are hosted on-farm and aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of producers so they can:
- Develop a customised breeding plan for your enterprise aligned to your profit drivers.
- Identify sires and select animals that help you meet your objectives.
- Learn about feeding animals well to achieve your objective and maximise your genetic investment.
AI in horticulture workshop – Werribee
When: Thursday 27 August, 2:30–5 pm
Where: Werribee
Victorian growers are invited to a practical demonstration on how AI can be used to support horticulture - from farm to packing shed and beyond.
Learn from two presenters about a wide variety of uses for AI, including: the different AI options available - cost, pros/cons etc privacy and data protection using AI to analyse farm and factory data AI in meetings, the pack-shed and much more.
The event will be tailored to grower questions - tell us how you would like AI to support your farming operations. Minimal cost input for maximum efficiency output.
Future-proof your family farm business – Kaniva and Hopetoun
Kaniva: Tuesday 1 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Kaniva Community Hub, 132 Budjik Street Kaniva
Hopetoun: Thursday 3 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Hopetoun Golf Club, Hopetoun-Rainbow Road Hopetoun
Kaniva and Hopetoun farmers are invited to a free 2-day workshop.
Learn practical planning skills to help prepare your farm business for the future. Build strategies to manage climate risk, strengthen resilience and create a more adaptable business.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke is an independent farm consultant, agri-strategist and educator. Kate has extensive experience in farm business management and works with farming families and businesses across a range of areas.
Kate will share practical insights on:
- improving farm productivity
- strengthening farm finances
- leadership, people and succession planning
- managing climate variability and uncertainty.
Participants will:
- identify what matters most to them
- learn how to improve productivity, people and profit areas of their business
- explore ways to balance growth and risk
- set priorities and create a practical plan for the future.
This workshop will give participants tools and strategies they can apply to their own farm business.
Farm fire preparedness webinar
When: Wednesday 2 September, 7–8:15 pm
Where: Online
Are you a new property owner, manage livestock, or want to improve your farm fire preparation? Preparing for bushfire season is essential for all farmers and landholders.
Join Agriculture Victoria's farm fire preparedness webinar. Hear from Kylie Macreadie who will share practical steps, tools, and templates to help you identify risks and develop a farm fire plan.
You'll hear firsthand from a landholder about their experience of fire events, including preparedness, putting plans into action, and recovery afterwards. Gain valuable insights to help prepare your people, property and livestock.
Registration is essential. Zoom details will be sent upon registration.
Mental health first aid training
Lake Bolac: Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre, 155 Montgomery Street Lake Bolac
Woomelang: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Woomelang and District Bush Nursing Centre, 16 Proctor Street Woomelang
Do you know how to safely respond when someone says they are struggling?
This free course equips participants with skills to recognise and safely respond to mental health concerns. Participants will receive an accredited Certificate of Completion upon meeting requirements.
Mental health first aid is the help you give to someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. This Mental Health First Aid International course will teach you the resources and competence to safely provide support.
Morning tea and lunch provided.
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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