Thursday 9 April 2026

Cool weather still driving hay fire danger

Cooler conditions across Victoria may suggest reduced haystack fire risk, but moist hay continues to heat internally and remains a significant hazard.

Producers are urged to maintain regular monitoring of baled and stacked hay, as no current technology reliably tracks internal hay temperatures.

Dairy Extension Officer, Michele Jolliffe said the real danger in hay is what you can’t see, so regular checks remain the strongest protection against fire.

Report rain event loss and damage

There is a range of financial and mental health support available for farmers affected by the Sunraysia rain event. 

Growers are encouraged to contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) for an independent assessment of their situation, with free, confidential support available. 

The RFCS can assist with cash flow, business planning, creditor negotiations and grant applications.  

RFCS also provides mental health and wellbeing support for farmers, families and workers, with counsellors able to provide support on farm or over the phone. RFCS can be contacted on 1300 735 578 or via www.wswrcs.com.au 

Advice on recovery for water damaged orchards and crops can also be obtained by calling 136 186 or emailing recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

If you’ve had agricultural loss or damage from the rain event earlier this month, please report it to your industry grower group. 

Surveillance for significant animal diseases in Victoria

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

Victoria is fortunate to be free of most of the serious diseases that affect animals in other parts of the world.

Despite this, continuous surveillance is crucial to enable early detection of animal diseases that could affect trade, regional or national productivity, animal welfare, public health or biodiversity.

The Victorian Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) Program aims to improve Victoria’s ability to identify significant diseases in livestock and wildlife by boosting veterinary practitioner involvement and subsidising investigation costs.

Bee Pest Blitz

This April, make a bee-line for your hives to check for pests.

Surveillance is key to the early detection of new pests and provides the best chance for industries and governments to respond before pests become established and widespread.

New faces for climate action

Caption: Chair of the council Jack Holden

New leadership and new members have been appointed to the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council to help the state’s agriculture sector prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.

Since it was established in November 2020, the council has supported the Victorian Government’s commitment to deliver strong and lasting action on climate change in partnership with the agriculture sector.

Jack Holden will serve as the council’s new chairperson, with Catherine Jenkins appointed the new deputy chair, following the open, competitive recruitment process for the council’s new term.

Drone operator fined following spray-drift incident

A south-west drone spraying business was convicted and fined $15,000 in the Colac Magistrates’ Court recently, as a result of charges being served relating to spray drift from aerial spraying via a drone.

Agriculture Victoria Manager of Regulatory Operations, Daniel Bode said remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) technology was becoming an increasingly important part of chemical users’ toolkits.

Whole Farm Planning course EOI now open for fire impacted landholders

Whole Farm Planning course expressions of interest (EOI) are now open for landholders impacted by the recent bushfires.

A Whole Farm Plan can help design a farm that is easier to manage, more productive and offers environmental benefits.

This EOI will be used to identify groups of landholders to run courses when we have enough participants in your area.

Format: Participants meet for up to 6 sessions to cover farm management and recovery topics. An online format will also be available.

A free laminated property map will be provided as part of the course.

Register your interest by 30 April 2026.

Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans 

Has your farm been impacted by recent 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. 

Applications are open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026. 

Check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions. 

If you need help working through what support you can get or how to apply, the Rural Financial Counselling Service is available at:

• Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria North East for farmers and small farm businesses.
• RFCS Victoria West | Home (Mildura and north western).

Partnerships against pests grant applications open

The final round of the Partnerships Against Pests program is closing soon.

The program helps farmers protect their crops, and livestock pasture from invasive pests, and improve the long-term health of their land.

Applicants can apply for grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 to deliver projects over a 12-month period.

Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan 

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. 

Learn more about the Drought Hardship Loan: ric.gov.au  

Drought Support

What upgrades or improvements do the Farm Drought Support Grants cover?

Use a Farm Drought Support Grant to make on-farm infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as grain feeders, troughs, pasture restoration, stock containment areas, and more.

$5,000 as a co-contribution grant is available statewide, with farmers in south west Victoria able to access $10,000.

Wellbeing counsellors

Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:  

✔ managing stress  
✔ building resilience for tough times  
✔ balancing work and life with practical tools 
✔ getting support for big decisions and life changes. 

To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 771 741.

Find out more at Rural Financial Counselling Network.

For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Drought Farm Advisory Service

Farmers from across the state have access to two Farm 1-on-1 consultations with a technical specialist.   

Specialist consultants include agronomists, veterinarians, animal nutritionists, business advisors and farm planners, with expertise across dairy, beef, sheep and wool, horticulture and cropping.  

Click here to find out more.

For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.  

What can I use a Farm Drought Support Grant for?

Use a Farm Drought Support Grant to make on-farm infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as grain feeders, troughs, pasture restoration, stock containment areas, and more.  

$5,000 as a co-contribution grant is available statewide.  

What's On

All things lucerne!

When: Tuesday 14 April
Time: 2-6 pm
Location: Serpentine 3517 (location provided after registration)
Cost: free

Loddon Valley’s Best Wool Best Lamb Group are having a series of workshops on lucerne.

Session 1 will cover topics involving all things important for the health of your lucerne crop. Both theory and pasture walks will be a highlight of this event.

Guest speaker Scott Hutchings is an agronomist from Keith SA with extensive experience in lucerne.

A BBQ dinner will be provided.

This event is being delivered on behalf of Agriculture Victora as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package.

Farm financials for future decisions

When: 14–15 April, from 8:30 am
Where: Birchip Recreation Reserve, Corner of Morrison Street and Johnson Street, Birchip

Build the confidence to make long term, strategic decisions about your farm business to manage the impacts of drought, seasonal conditions, and market variabilities.

This two-day workshop incorporates interactive sessions, discussions and practical sessions using your farm financial statements - so you can identify, plan for and manage risks that are relevant to your farm business.

This event is being delivered by Partners in Ag and Hudson Facilitation on behalf of Agriculture Victoria

Succession planning and business growth

When: Thursday 16 April, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Warracknabeal

When: Wednesday 6 May, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Robinvale

Succession is a critical milestone for all farming families. Join this free workshop for families pursuing clarity and future growth.

Tallangatta Expo

When: Wednesday 15 April, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Tallangatta Showgrounds, Coorilla Street, Tallangatta

Come along to the Tallangatta Expo, where Ag Recovery Officers will be on hand to discuss issues including bushfire recovery.

You’ll find us in the Towong Shire Recovery Hub Marquee and the Landcare Shed.

Information available includes:

• fire recovery
• drought programs
• land management
• animal health
• farm water and irrigation management
• invasive species.

Say hello to us at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo

When: 17-19 April
Where: Tallarook Street, Kings Park, Seymour.

Come along to the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo, where our Ag Recovery Officers will be on hand to discuss issues, including bushfire recovery.

Information will be available about:

• fire recovery
• drought programs
• land management
• animal health
• invasive species.

Find out more at Ticket Info - Seymour Alternative Farming Expo

Managing water price variability - Kerang and Kyabram

KERANG

When: Tuesday 21 April
Where: Royal Hotel Kerang, 60 Victoria Street, Kerang
Time: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Cost: Free

KYABRAM

When: Wednesday 22 April
Where: Kyabram Club, 82 Allan Street, Kyabram
Time: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Cost: Free

Join us for these upcoming workshops to gain some insights into the water market for the Murray river system – specifically Zone 6 – the Murray and Mitta rivers.

Topics will include a broad overview of the wider system, pricing outlook and importantly – what you can do to help manage your water risk.

Limited numbers available - this event is free, but registration is required - so do get in quick. A light lunch will be provided.

Event are being delivered by RMCG on behalf of Agriculture Victoria as part of the Victorian Government's statewide Drought support package.

Webinar - cutting methane in grazing systems: What works and what’s emerging 

Date: Thursday 23 April 
Time: 12-1 pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Registration: Here
Password: Climate

Join Professor Joe Jacobs as he shares insights from nearly 2 decades of methane mitigation research undertaken by Agriculture Victoria.

This session will cover strategies that work within pasture-based operations - where feed additives can only be delivered at specific times such as during milking.

Joe will walk through recent trials of emerging methane reducing additives and their potential to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows and other ruminants, building on a foundation of work involving feedbase manipulation, mainstream supplements, and by-products.

Understanding your farm finances

When: Wednesday 13 May, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Wangaratta

When: Thursday 14 May, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Seymour

This one-day workshop is designed for all farming businesses, no matter your size or enterprise type. It is an excellent workshop for those at the start of their farm management career, looking to boost their financial literacy.

Delivered by Pinion Advisory on behalf of Agriculture Victoria this workshop will equip participants with clarity on:

• financial budgeting
• key financial reports and KPI
• approaching the bank and what it means to be ‘bank ready’
• farm debt management.

Stock handling workshop

When: Friday 8 May, 9:30 am – 13:30 pm
Where: Bendigo

When: Friday 15 May, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Kyabram

Join experts Mark Bennett and Jack Briscoe as they discuss stockyard design, stock handling techniques and overall livestock safety. The Stock Sense team will also lead a discussion on biosecurity.

Decisions that drive success – Proven techniques for effective on-farm decision-making

When: Tuesday 19 May, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Greater Shepparton Business Centre, 70 New Dookie Road, Shepparton

Success depends on sound decision-making. This is especially so in times of crisis and change.

This ION Group workshop offers a practical, proven approach to managing competing priorities, helping participants make better decisions, rebuild resilience and adapt their business to recover from drought and other challenges.

Participants learn to identify key trigger points, stressors and strategic priorities for their farm business, optimise resources, manage costs, mitigate risks and seize opportunities.

The workshop builds confidence and capability to respond quickly to change, implement timely decisions with clear checkpoints, and strengthen adaptability through contingency planning.

GRDC Farm Business Update

When: Thursday 25 June, 9:30 am – 3:15 pm
Where: Shamrock Hotel, 5 - 13 Melville Street, Numurkah

The GRDC Farm Business Update events drive innovation and adoption of improved farm business management practices across the grains industry.

Free but please register for catering purposes.

Speakers and topics and free workbook coming soon.

Contact Jane Foster 03 5441 6175 or email admin@orm.com.au

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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