Thursday, 26 June 2025

Drought support

The Look Over The Farm Gate program is now open.  

This program provides an opportunity to bring communities together to support farmers and their families under stress.  

Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government, the program offers grants of up to $5,000 for community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness.  

Find out more at: https://farmerhealth.org.au/ 

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

Supporting Victorian farmers impacted by kangaroos

More support has been announced to help farmers whose agricultural property is impacted by kangaroos.  

Farmers will soon be able to apply for rebates to engage professional shooters to control kangaroos under an approved Authority to Control Wildlife (ACTW).  

Find out more or apply for an ATCW online, visit Wildlife management and control authorisations | vic.gov.au  

To register an interest to be notified when the program is open email: drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au   

Roughage is essential 

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region 

With the escalating price of hay and the availability of other feed supplements you may be asking ‘why feed roughage this winter?’ 

Roughage will be needed during winter for any of the following reasons: 

• even though some roughage may be left uneaten, for digestive function livestock require a minimum amount of fibre and long roughage to maintain their digestive systems. This is sometimes known as the 'scratch factor' and stimulates rumination (cud chewing) 
• if feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage acidosis or grain poisoning can occur 
• as we move further into winter, hay may be needed to reduce grass tetany risks and allows a way of administering Causmag. 

Livestock need to eat more roughage in cold weather to give them energy for heat production.  

Roughage in their diet helps keep livestock warm since the fermentation and breakdown of cellulose creates heat energy.  

If they don’t have enough roughage, the weight will melt off as they mine body fat to create energy for warmth.  

Therefore, there are several compelling reasons why roughage may be needed this winter.  

Plus, if you can feed late in the afternoon it will provide your livestock ‘heat’ through the night. 

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health or extension staff. 

Across the state any farmer can access technical information and advice to help manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions. 

These services will be delivered in partnership with a range of technical experts, including farm business advisors, livestock nutritionists, soil, water and pasture specialists and veterinarians. 

The program provides tailored advice through one-on-one consultations, webinars, workshops, field days, and online tools and information. 

Find more information on drought support at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186. 

Farm planning course: Farming in the 21st century

Are you needing some advice during the current drought conditions?

Would you like to review where your farm is heading, while hearing what other farmers are doing?

Are you interested in making your farm more resilient, productive and sustainable?

Are you wanting to complete a whole farm plan?

Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officer Clem Sturmfels said farmers in south west Victoria are invited to join the upcoming online whole farm planning course, ‘Helping you meet the challenges of farming in the 21st century’.

‘The technical and decision-making support that will be provided is designed to assist farmers in managing the impacts of increasingly difficult conditions, delivered in partnership with technical specialists.

‘The primary aim of a Whole Farm Planning course is the protection and management of critical farm assets; your soil, water and vegetation – all of which underpin farm productivity and resilience.

‘If you are keen to improve your farm design and layout, optimise production and adaptability, and improve the quality of your soil and water, this is the course for you.

‘Other topics will include soils and land classing, pasture and grazing management, farm water supply, farm business planning, tree growing and biodiversity and adapting to a changing climate.

‘A key part of the course is the creation of a farm map. You will have the choice of using a large, printed photo map of your farm or a free computer-based mapping program, QGIS My Farm Plan.

‘The course will run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 6 weeks, commencing Tuesday 12 August through to Thursday 18 September, via Zoom.

‘Each session will run for approximately two hours and will include a mix of formal presentations and hands-on activities. Sessions will also be recorded for participants to watch in their own time.’

Register for your place via the Ag Vic events page before Friday 4 July

For more information contact Clem Sturmfels at clem.sturmfels@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Find more information about drought and dry seasons online or call 136 186.

This course is delivered by Agriculture Victoria, with support from the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority and the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

Victorian Drought Freight Network

The Victorian Drought Freight Network will help drought affected farmers to move critical grain and fodder to farms in the south west.  

Developed with the Department of Transport and Planning, Victorian Farmers Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Victoria - it will expand road networks for fodder transport in south west Victoria.  

Find out more at Victoria Emergency Drought Network Pre-Approved Permit-Based Scheme | NHVR  

Dry swamps and dams pose toxic weed risk to livestock

Lesser loosestrife. Credit: Oliver Kerr

Paul Beltz, Senior Veterinary Officer

The green pick available on swampy land or dried up billabongs and dams may seem a boon for producers during drought and difficult seasonal conditions.

However, it’s important to check for toxic weeds and plants in swampy areas before allowing stock access for grazing.

There are many plants that grow where the land is usually wet and rarely dried out which could cause issues.

Toxic plants that might be found in these areas include dock, soursob, fat hen, lesser loosestrife and swamp grass.

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found on our website.

Lambing and calving during drought conditions

When: Tuesday 3 July, 8:30 am to 1 pm
Where: Burrumbeet

When: Monday 7 July, 8:30 am to 1 pm
Where: Coleraine

A practical workshop focused on improving lambing and calving outcomes during dry conditions. Learn how to manage nutritional demands, reduce animal health risks, and adapt livestock systems when pasture is limited.

Topics include confinement lambing, early weaning, creep feeding with lamb and calf panels, and tailored nutrition strategies for each stage of production.

Soils workshop at Eganstown, just outside Daylesford

When: Tuesday 1 July, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: 129 Morgantis Road, Eganstown

Tumpinyeri Growers, in partnership with AgVic, RMIT and University of Melbourne have been investigating soil biological health - focusing on nematodes, bacteria and fungi.  

Their findings will be shared at a free workshop in Eganstown on Djarra Country, just outside  
Daylesford. The session will explore soil biology and health, and how management practices impact soil properties, plant growth and resilient production systems. 

Specialist presenters will include Josh Williams, Tumpinyeri Growers, Dr Helen Hayden, RMIT University and Dr Reza Ghaderi, University of Melbourne. 

This workshop is supported by the Farm Business Resilience Program, to build stronger, more productive agricultural businesses. 

Talking trees webinar

When: Thursday 3 July, 5:30-7 pm 

Join this Landcare webinar to learn more about how trees can benefit your farm while being used to generate additional revenue through agroforestry, carbon farming, or biodiversity markets.  

Talk the Talk 

When: Thursday 3 July, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Colac Bowling Club

Service providers are invited to join a workshop, run by Ann-Marie Byrne, a Wellbeing Counsellor from the Rural Financial Counselling Service and supported by the Gardiner Foundation.

The workshop is specifically for service providers who are in regular contact with farmers. It is an opportunity to come together, share experiences and become better equipped to both support customers during difficult times as well as develop/grow protective factors to better manage personally through these tough times.

The workshop is free, and lunch will be provided.

Register to attend by emailing helen.chenoweth@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

When: Tuesday 22 July, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: Harrow Golf Club

A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges with confidence and care.

Observe and identify signs of mental health concerns. Start supportive conversations and take the next steps to provide help.

Free catered event. Bookings essential

Presented by Maggie Bridgewater from the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

For more information and to book, call 0422 061 891 or 0408 349 532

Sheep emissions update

When: Tuesday 3 July

This webinar will offer an opportunity to hear from 2 experts sharing insights on recent greenhouse gas (GHG) calculations of sheep enterprises across Victoria.

Hear from Sam Henty (Farm Business Economist) on the 2023–24 livestock farm monitor GHG results and from Dr Ralph Behrendt (senior specialist, climate change) discussing the outcomes of the sheep rounds in the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot.

Winchelsea – Healthy, wealthy and wise rural road show

Explore a free full day of information, health checks, support services and guest speakers!

When: Friday 18 July, 10 am to 3 pm

Where: Winchelsea Shire Hall and Community House Precinct

Featuring presentations, scam awareness, Council on the aging (COTA), and Ambulance Victoria Defib session.

Grazing table, tea and coffee supplied.

Enquiries to Rose on (03) 5261 0600.

In good times and in bad: adaptive skills for your farming future – Wonwondah and Dunkeld

When: Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 August, 8:30 am - 3 pm 
Where: Wonwondah Hall, Wonwondah Hall Road, Wonwondah

When: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, 8:30 am - 3 pm 
Where: Dunkeld Bowling Club, 77 Parker Street, Dunkeld.

Livestock and grain farmers are invited to participate in a 2-day workshop to help future proof your farm. Develop practical strategies to manage climate risk, build resilience and shape a stronger, more adaptable business.

Events include morning tea and lunch.

Numbers are limited. Registration is essential.

Whole farm planning online 6-week course

Are you needing some advice during the current drought conditions? 

Would you like to review where your farm is heading, while hearing what other farmers are doing? 

Are you interested in making your farm more resilient, productive and sustainable?  

Are you wanting to complete a whole farm plan?  

Farmers in south west Victoria are invited to join our upcoming online whole farm planning course, ‘Helping you meet the challenges of farming in the 21st century’, delivered in partnership with Glenelg Hopkins CMA.

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning for 6 weeks, commencing Tuesday 12 August through to Thursday 18 September, via Zoom.  

Register your place before Friday 4 July.

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

Privacy | Disclaimer

This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.