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Thursday 10 April 2025
Drought support for south west farmers
Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Bushfire recovery support
If your business or industry has been impacted by the 2024-25 bushfires in western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery. Upcoming supports include:
- Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
- Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.
These programs are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
Register your interest to receive updates on the 2024-25 Western Victoria Bushfire Recovery grants and other related supports as they become available.
Apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure
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.
Visit the dry seasons webpage for more information or call 136 186.
Save the date – BWBL and BB networks roadshow
Our BetterBeef (BB) and Bestwool/Bestlamb (BWBL) networks are hitting the road! The 2025 Beef and Sheep Networks Roadshow will bring top industry experts to 4 locations across Victoria, delivering the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.
In response to seasonal challenges, we’re taking a fresh approach in 2025. Instead of one big Bestwool/Bestlamb and BetterBeef state-wide conference, we’re bringing the knowledge to producers with a series of half-day events, making it easier to attend without spending a whole day off-farm. Same high-quality content — just more accessible and closer to home.
Roadshow dates and locations:
✅ South West Victoria – 28 and 29 May
✅ Gippsland – 3 June
✅ North East Victoria – 4 June.
This format ensures more producers can connect, learn, and plan for the seasons ahead — without the travel commitment of a conference. Mark one (or more) of the roadshow events on your calendar.
Full event details will be published on the Agriculture Victoria events website, and Beef and Sheep Networks Newsflash email newsletter. If you would like further information, email us at beef.sheepnetworks@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Subscribe to the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Newsflash at agriculture.vic.gov.au/newsflash
Animal disease investigation courses held across Victoria
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
During March, Agriculture Victoria ran 3 Animal Disease Investigation (ADI) courses. The regionally based courses were held in Ellinbank, Bendigo, and Hamilton.
Each course hosted 12 private livestock veterinarians. The majority of participants came from local veterinary clinics in each of the regions.
The courses were presented by the combination of local Agriculture Victoria veterinary officers along with a pathologist from Agriculture Victoria’s state laboratory Agribio, located in Bundoora, Melbourne.
The 2-day intensive courses focus on up-skilling livestock veterinarians across Victoria to conduct disease investigations, and to be especially on the lookout for exotic diseases such as Foot and mouth disease.
The courses have a strong practical theme, with veterinarians getting hands on experience in learning new techniques and procedures, as well as being given a refresher of their existing skills and knowledge.
Agriculture Victoria has been running ADI courses for well over 10 years, training upwards of 50 private veterinarians a year, and in doing so strengthening the skills of Victoria’s veterinary profession and overall biosecurity preparedness for emergency animal diseases.
The courses have been made possible thanks to the Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program, which is funded through duties generated by the sale of cattle, sheep, goat and pigs and their carcasses in Victoria.
Top tips before sowing retained seed this season
Felicity Pritchard, Regional Manager Grains South West
The quality of seed at sowing is a critical component of a crop’s success.
Many crops in western Victoria were impacted by a dry finish and spring frosts last season, while in northern Victoria they were affected by rain during harvest.
Now is the time for farmers to run a germination test on seed retained from 2024, to ensure your new crop has the best possible start. Testing of retained seed allows you to assess the seed’s viability and to adjust sowing rates.
The Very Fast Break now available
The first 2025 edition of the Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip is now available.
Drought resilience scholarship opportunity – 2025 scholarships now open
The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is committed to building capacity that enhances the future resilience of farmers and regional communities. The Vic Hub is offering 5 awards of $2,000 each to support aspiring research students in the delivery of their research.
The awards are open to students conducting research as part of Honours or post-graduate study. Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Victorian tech start-ups take on circular agriculture
The Victorian Government is working with the state’s brightest technology start-ups to develop innovative new solutions to challenges facing the agriculture sector.
Victorian RDA committee vacancies
Regional Development Australia (RDA) is seeking highly motivated leaders with vision, drive and strong ties to their region to volunteer on RDA Committees across Victoria.
Applications have opened for RDA Committee Deputy Chair and Member positions in Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Melbourne.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Smart business management: budgeting and financial planning for resilient farms – Winchelsea
When: Friday 11 April, 2 to 5 pm
Where: Winchelsea Community Hub, 28 Hesse Street Winchelsea.
Join us for a workshop on budgeting, cash flow, and financial planning to boost farm resilience.
The Drought Support Workshop is designed to provide practical strategies and emotional resilience tools for individuals, families, and communities affected by drought.
Led by experienced professionals, this workshop acknowledges the unique challenges of drought and will equip farmers with essential budgeting and financial management skills to strengthen their business resilience during drought and seasonal challenges.
This event is part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package for south west Victoria.
Introduction to lean and farm business resilience Planning – Warrnambool, Geelong, Colac, Bellbrae
When: Tuesday 15 April, 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: South West TAFE, 193/197-205 Timor St, Warrnambool
When: Wednesday 16 April, 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: The Warehouse Geelong, 5 Little Ryrie Street, Geelong
When: Monday 12 May, 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Colac, venue to be confirmed
When: Tuesday 13 May, 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Bellbrae, venue to be confirmed
Join us for a practical, face-to-face workshop designed to help business owners and senior leaders in south west Victoria navigate the challenges of drought, economic shifts, and industry changes.
What you’ll gain:
- Simple business strategies to improve profitability and resilience
- Lean and continuous improvement insights to streamline operations
- Costing strategies to improve decision-making and resource management
- Networking opportunities with industry professionals
- 12 months of access to an exclusive online portal with workshop resources.
This event is part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package for south west Victoria.
Making the tough decisions with Cam Nicolson
When: Friday 2 May, 9:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Boronggook Drysdale Library, 2-8 Wyndham Street, Drysdale
The Surf Coast and Bellarine BestWool/Best Lamb group invite producers to a free workshop with Cam Nicholson, Director of Nicon Rural Services. Cam is a consultant with over 30 years’ experience in farm management and decision making.
The workshop covers:
- Demystifying the decision-making process
- Where do we source the information we base our decisions on?
- How to make the tough decisions on farm: from short term decisions leading into winter to the big long-term decisions.
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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