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Thursday 30 July 2026
H5N1 avian influenza strain detected in Victoria
Pictured: a greater crested tern.
The high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 strain (H5 bird flu) has been detected in Victoria.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said this detection is a result of Australia’s response to H5 bird flu, with the Victorian Government undertaking surveillance for the disease and working closely with the Commonwealth, interstate jurisdictions and industry partners.
‘Preliminary testing has indicated H5 bird flu in a single greater crested tern found in Portland.
Further genetic testing is underway at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong to formally confirm this result.’ Dr Cooke said.
Locust spring update for north-west Victoria
We are asking land managers in north-west Victoria to prepare now for possible locust activity in spring.
The Mallee has a moderate to high chance of high numbers of young locusts hatching in late September onwards.
The Wimmera has a low to moderate chance of high numbers of young locusts hatching in early October onwards.
Land managers are responsible for controlling locusts on their land.
The best time to control locusts is about 2 weeks after hatching, when they are young and can't yet fly.
Land managers can also help by checking paddocks and reporting any signs of locusts.
Reporting helps improve forecasting and supports control decisions.
This advice is for people in Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera.
Celebrating National Biosecurity Week
Biosecurity benefits us all, and we each have a part to play in protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases.
National Biosecurity Week raises awareness and showcases the collaborative efforts of government, industry, peak bodies and the community in protecting the Australian way of life.
150 ducks now tracking across Australia in major movement study
An important milestone has been reached with more than 150 Victorian game ducks now fitted with tracking devices as part of the largest study of duck movement and survivorship undertaken in Australia.
Since June 2025, the Game Management Authority and Deakin University have been attaching small solar-powered satellite tracking devices to 4 game duck species (Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal) to better understand their movements, survival and behaviours.
Data collected up to January 2026 from 62 tracked ducks shows that most individuals remained relatively close to their capture locations. However, there were a few interesting exceptions.
Complete the EPA small business survey
How can we make your environmental responsibilities easier to understand?
Please take 7 minutes to complete the survey.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria wants to make environmental responsibilities easier to understand and put into practice.
Your feedback will help EPA create useful resources, that give you the information you need, in the way that works for you.
All feedback will be de-identified in the report and will not be used for enforcement.
The survey closes on Tuesday 18 August.
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
Managing soil acidity: Cost effective lime strategies
Winchelsea: Thursday 6 August, 9:45 am – 1 pm
Where: Old Winchelsea Shire Hall, 28 Hesse Street Winchelsea
Dunkeld: Wednesday 12 August, 9:45 am – 1 pm
Where: Sterling Place, Supper Room, 14 Sterling Street Dunkeld
Soil acidity can quietly reduce pasture and crop performance, but with lime costs increasing, making the right decisions has never been more important. Join us for a practical, farmer-focused workshop on managing soil acidity. You'll gain practical insights into how to get the best return on your lime investment and protect one of your most valuable farm assets, your soil.
What we'll cover:
- How much lime should you apply?
- How often should you reapply?
- How can you maximise the return on your liming investment?
- Using the latest decision-support tools, including the LimeAssist Calculator and LimeAssistor webpage.
- Practical strategies tailored to your farming system.
Whether you're fine-tuning your current liming program or developing a new approach, this workshop will provide the confidence and knowledge to make informed, cost-effective decisions.
GRDC Grains Research Update – Managing waterlogging risk: insights from recent research
When: Tuesday 11 August, 1–1:45 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Waterlogging can take a toll on yield, but the impact varies depending on paddock, season and crop. This session will reveal recent research to understand the yield impact of various levels of waterlogging on canola, faba bean and barley.
We'll also look at the costs and benefits of management options such as raised beds, land forming and subsurface drainage. The focus will be on helping growers better understand their risk and make informed decisions about long-term waterlogging management and investment.
GRDC Grains Research Update – Kaniva
When: Thursday 13 August, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Kaniva Community Hub, 132 Budjik Street Kaniva
Cost: Free
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update events are for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers to see and discuss the latest in research and to network with their peers about how to apply new and relevant information to the latest farming systems.
Please register for catering purposes.
Get RIC Ready free webinar
RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) is hosting a free online Get RIC Ready webinar to help you understand if a RIC low-interest loan is right for you and get prepared to apply, so you can take the next step with confidence.
When: Wednesday 19 August, 12 pm
Where: online
The webinar is for farmers, advisers and industry representatives keen to find out more about RIC loan eligibility, how to apply, and how RIC loans can help farmers in financial need. RIC Agri Lending Specialists and Rural Financial Counsellors will lead the session to answer your most frequently asked questions.
Can’t attend the live event? Register anyway and RIC will send you the webinar recording.
Success with succession planning – Skipton and Lake Bolac
Skipton: Tuesday 18 August, 8:30 am (for 9 am start) – 2:30 pm
Where: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, Geelong Road Skipton
Lake Bolac: Wednesday 19 August, 8:30 am (for 9 am start) – 2:30 pm
Where: Lake Bolac Football Netball Clubrooms, Frontage Road Lake Bolac
Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke will work with participants to understand the success factors and common pitfalls in farm succession, ensuring the legacy continues, the business remains viable, wealth grows and families stay connected for generations to come.
Registration is essential. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to farming families before advisers.
For further information, contact Julio Vargas (0428 316 018) or Kate McCue (0407 099 793).
Farm and livestock: Water workshop
When: Wednesday 19 August, 12–4:30 pm
Where: Finlay Emporium, 21 Henty Street, Casterton
Cost: Free
Join us at this practical workshop and gain insights to support future livestock water planning and management decisions.
Topics covered include:
- Livestock water supply and demand calculations
- Dam siting and construction
- Storage volume estimation
- Runoff management strategies
- Current water access requirements, including the use of groundwater, bores and guidance for pumping water from creeks and rivers
- The effects of changing land use and declining runoff over recent decades
- The Glenelg River Compensation Flow and its importance for both environmental and agricultural water security
- Guidance on the best time to access flows for stock water.
- Practical approaches to capturing, conserving, and maximising on-farm water resources, including:
- pasture roofs
- contour drains, and
- products designed to reduce evaporation losses.
The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion and question-and-answer session. Participants will have the opportunity to seek answers and discuss their own circumstances.
Lunch and afternoon tea provided.
Springing back better – strategies that count
Ballarat: Monday 17 August, 7–8:30 pm
Where: The Red Lion Hotel, 223 Main Road Ballarat
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.
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.
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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