No images? Click here
Thursday 16 October 2025
AgTech showcase officially launches in Victoria
The Victorian Government is proud to support the launch of evokeAG 2026 – an internationally renowned agriculture and innovation event that is coming back to Melbourne.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence joined industry leaders at the launch to recognise AgriFutures Australia’s event that will be held across multiple days in February 2026.
Over 2 days, the event – hosted in Victoria for the first time since 2020 – will welcome more than 2,000 delegates from around 20 countries, and more than 50 startups, to discuss the latest innovations in agriculture sector.
On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program
Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program now.
The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos.
For the full range of supports available to drought-affected farmers and communities, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
Vet Talk – Watch for Phalaris poisoning in livestock
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
After months of dry conditions, recent rains have brought a lush flush of green growth across the region — but along with it comes a hidden danger for livestock: Phalaris toxicity.
Livestock producers are being urged to monitor their animals closely, as grazing on young Phalaris grass, particularly when there is little other feed available, can lead to severe illness or even sudden death.
Phalaris grass is particularly dangerous in its early growth stage — usually the first 6 weeks.
During this period, the plant contains toxic alkaloids that can trigger Phalaris staggers, a condition affecting coordination and mobility. Another threat, Phalaris sudden death syndrome, arises from high ammonia levels in the animal’s system. Sheep are especially vulnerable, while cattle are somewhat less so.
Interestingly, kangaroos are also very susceptible. Numerous cases of Phalaris staggers in kangaroos have recently been seen.
Phalaris staggers may not appear immediately. Symptoms can develop between 10 days and 4 months after grazing the pasture.
Animals may stagger or stumble, adopt a ‘bunny hop’ gait, nod their heads, struggle to stand or eat, and lose weight. Some sheep may recover but remain permanently affected.
Sudden death syndrome is far more rapid. Signs, which typically emerge 12 to 36 hours after grazing, include breathing difficulties and blue-coloured gums, often leading to death within hours.
If Phalaris toxicity is suspected, affected animals should be removed slowly but immediately from the pasture to reduce further risk.
Preventive measures include:
- limiting grazing during the first two days to only a few hours per day
- managing stocking rates carefully
- providing hay before turning stock onto pasture to reduce overeating
- in cobalt-deficient areas, cobalt supplementation may help reduce the risk of Phalaris staggers, although it does not prevent sudden death syndrome.
Producers concerned about Phalaris toxicity should contact their local veterinarian, their Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in New South Wales, their Local Land Services for advice.
Checked your flock for worms?
- Weaners are most at risk
- Worm egg counts (WECs) help detect issues early
- Avoid unnecessary drenching to reduce resistance
- Use the right drench, at the right time.
Regular WECs are your best defence.
Read our article on the AgVic website
For drought support, call 136 186 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought
Is hay the best option for your crop this season?
Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.
To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.
Drought support information
- Farm Drought Support Grants of up to $5,000 to support on-farm drought management activities like infrastructure improvements, water carting and pasture re-establishment
- expert technical support through the one-on-one farm advisory service
- local workshops and events to connect with other farmers and discuss drought issues and management strategies
- fee and duty relief package to reduce costs linked to biosecurity and food safety regulations and duties.
Find more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Got chooks? Stay in the loop with Poultry Post
Whether you keep one chicken or a whole flock, Poultry Post is your go-to newsletter for biosecurity tips, H5 bird flu updates, and expert advice to keep your birds safe.
Together, we can protect Australia’s poultry and wild bird populations.
Use your dairy effluent now on silage regrowth – Now that paddocks are being cut for silage, dairy effluent can be applied to areas with some green leaf still present. This can be done after cutting to promote valuable pasture regrowth for an extra grazing and to replace lost nutrients.
Save the date for Wimmera Pulse Field Day showcase – Farmers, agronomists and industry are warmly invited to the annual Wimmera Pulse Field Day on Wednesday 22 October at Kewell.
What's on?
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Sunday roast with a twist
When: 19 October
Where: St. Albans Hall, 5426 Kiewa Valley Highway, Running Creek
Time: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
The whole farming family is invited to this very special fun luncheon for all ages.
Be entertained by renowned performer Anthony deMasi (aka Luigi Zucchini), an international man of magic comedy with goofy Italian antics that entertains adults and children alike, along with his live animal friends and a never-ending bag of tricks and jokes.
Show starts at 12 pm
Lunch from 12:30 pm
Catering provided by Pavlos Catering, Free health checks from the Alpine Outreach van, and meet newly appointed Wellbeing counsellor with AgBiz Assist, Jarryd Williams.
Please RSVP with numbers to TAFCO Rural Supplies on (03) 5752 1800 or at kerry@tafco.com.au.
Yarrawonga – Farm office and Xero efficiencies workshop
Delivered by Carmen Quade from AgriFocused, a small rural-based training and
business specialising in the Agribusiness industry.
Sebel Yarrawonga, Wednesday 22 October from 9 am - 3 pm
In these workshops we look at strategies, tools and tips to speed up the office work
and specifically address how best to use Xero in a farm business.
The Xero component of the workshop will be hands-on, with participants
encouraged to bring a laptop and try out the suggestions in their own set of books
or in the demo mode.
Limited spots, only 20 participants per workshop. Babies welcome, course hours within school drop off and pick up.
Cost - Riverine Plains members: $100, non Riverine Plains members: $150
(plus GST and platform fees), includes course fee, morning tea, lunch, tea and coffee.
For more information or to register to go Farm Office and Xero Efficiencies Workshop Yarrawonga
Take a load off your mind – keep your farm safe
Farm safety is everyone’s business.
Intereach, Dairy Australia and Primary Care Connect invite all dairy employers, employees and new arrivals to a free 2-hour Farm Vehicle Safety Session. Learn practical tips for safe driving on and off farm, understand your legal and moral responsibilities, and connect with trainers and support services who can help keep your team safe.
Thursday 23 October from 11 am – 1 pm at Kyabram Community and Learning Centre, 21–25 Lake Road.
Light lunch provided
RSVP to Shane Byrne, Dairy Australia in Murray, via shane.byrne@dairyaustralia.com.au or 0402 971 593.
Hear from WorkSafe, Jacobs Ag Solutions, Victoria Police, PDV Safety Compliance and a driving instructor.
For more information, visit www.intereach.com.au or call 1300 488 226.
Mansfield – Feeding livestock in dry times
Webinar – Farm fire preparedness
Date and time: Monday 27 October from 7 - 8:15 pm
Online and free
Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital.
Whether you’re a livestock producer, run a horticulture enterprise, a small landholder, or are new to farming it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season. Join us for this upcoming webinar about Farm Fire Preparedness.
Planning and preparing for the bushfire season includes identifying risks and undertaking tasks to prepare your farm well ahead of the fire season.
In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie and will discuss key preparedness activities, tools and templates to help you plan for the fire season. Landholders impacted by recent fires will share their stories of preparing for fire, putting a fire plan into practice and share information on the recovery process.
Presenters include -
- Kylie Macreadie, Agriculture Victoria
- Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood, horticulture business owners, Beaufort, Victoria
- Doug James, livestock producer, Bungeet, Victoria.
Topics include -
- preparing farm infrastructure
- farm asset inventories and insurance
- fire preparedness checklists, action plan and map
- planning for impacts and recovery
- updating your Property Identification Code (PIC)
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success
Want to build a stronger, more productive and effective farm business management strategy?
This 2-day workshop led by Gavin Beever will examine aspects that help make an effective farm business strategy.
Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October, from 8.30 for 9 am sharp start – 3 pm, lunch and snacks provided.
Topics:
- succession planning
- financials
- farm resources
- human relationships
- setting business goals
- climate risk and natural resource management
- latest in AgTech
- tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go.
Presenters:
- Gavin Beever, Principal Consultant, Cumbre Consultants
- Dale Grey, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist
- Brendan Williams, Managing Director Autonomous Ag.
Location: Powlett Plains and District Community Centre 1243 Wedderburn, Serpentine Road, Powlett Plains
For more information, contact either Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024, roger.harrower@agriculture.vic.gov.au or Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711, darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Webinar – Boosting livestock performance with eID
Date and time: Friday 7 November from 3 - 5 pm
Join us for a webinar with a focus on the practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
Why should farmers attend?
Sheep eID allows for tracking individual animal performance with precision. By leveraging this data, farmers can unlock new opportunities to increase productivity across the flock and reduce emissions by identifying and managing high-impact animals.
Suitable for farmers just starting with eID or more experienced farmers looking to refine your data strategy.
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
This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.