No images? Click here
Thursday 21 August 2025
Drought support available
Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.
Our website provides information on available supports, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services, and links to other organisations that can help.
You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.
Plus, find out about upcoming events in your region and online.
Avoid losses from exposure following shearing
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
It's well known that wool is an excellent insulator, therefore imagine the effect when it’s suddenly gone.
A freshly shorn sheep, especially if in light condition, may experience a threefold increase in heat loss and therefore prone to hypothermia. Shorn sheep are at greatest risk of cold stress in the first 3 days (or nights) after shearing, and remain at risk for up to 2 weeks, with mortalities seen in some mobs up to 4 weeks after shearing.
Although there is little wool growth, acclimatisation and considerable skin thickening occurring after shearing. It is therefore essential to closely monitor predicted weather conditions before putting shorn sheep into a paddock after shearing.
The impact of cold weather, particularly when combined with wet and windy conditions, can be severe for sheep. The impact of the cold weather will depend on its duration, rainfall, wind speed, and temperature.
The type of weather most likely to cause catastrophic sheep losses due to hypothermia is usually associated with the passage of a strong cold front or a rain-bearing depression.
Sheep grazier alerts are issued when a combination of rain, wind, and low temperatures reaches a critical level.
If a sheep grazier alert has been received at the end of shearing, shed as many sheep as possible and provide hay for the duration. Once the bad weather has passed, move the sheep to a paddock with adequate shelter and continue to provide supplementary feed.
In areas prone to winter storms, a 'cover comb' or 'snow comb' can be used, which leaves ½ cm of wool to help protect against hypothermia. Once freshly shorn sheep get cold, they may become extremely difficult to move, so always put shorn sheep into a protected paddock with plenty of shelter from the cold and wind.
Off-shears paddocks should be small and well protected from cold winds by relatively impermeable shelter belts. Extra feed should be provided to the mob for up to 4 weeks following shearing to meet their increased energy requirements.
Shearing a month before lambing encourages ewes to seek shelter and hence protection for their lambs. However, pre-lambing shearing must only be considered if ewes are in good condition and have free access to good feed and shelter. Heavily pregnant ewes should not be subject to the handling and feed deprivation that shearing involves.
For further information, please contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
Travellers urged to check luggage for hitchhiking toads
An unexpected guest has been found in a Melbourne motel room – and it wasn’t on the booking list.
Agriculture Victoria is urging travellers to thoroughly check their luggage for unwanted stowaways after an Asian black-spined toad was recently discovered at a city motel.
Meanwhile, accommodation providers are also being asked to remain vigilant and report any unusual sightings, as these invasive pests may escape from travellers’ belongings and pose a threat to local wildlife and the environment.
These toads, along with geckos and other exotic species, are increasingly arriving in Victoria by hiding in shoes, bags and boxes.
Strengthening food security in Victoria
The Victorian Government is strengthening planning rules to support and secure food production and protect our agricultural land and green wedge as Melbourne grows.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced an amendment to the Victorian Planning Provisions to make it easier to establish micro-abattoirs where they are needed most.
Under the amendment, micro-abattoirs will be classified as a Section 1 use in the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone and Green Wedge Zone, which means they will no longer require a permit – making it faster and easier for projects to get off the ground and operate if they meet regulatory requirements.
This will make sure farmers and producers have better access to abattoir facilities closer to the farm gate subject to environmental, amenity and human health conditions – helping secure Victoria’s food supply.
On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate
Farmers who have livestock competing with kangaroos for fodder can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate now.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution.
Rebates are to be used to engage professional harvesters (authorised by the Game Management Authority) to control eastern and western grey kangaroos under an Authority To Control Wildlife.
Click here for more information and to apply
For more information about drought support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Ag Vic Talk season 10 - improving shearing shed safety
We are joined by Jason Letchford from the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia and Craig French from Australian Wool Innovation.
In this Farming Safe and Well episode, they discuss the key safety issues in the shearing industry, including musculoskeletal injuries, exposure to viruses, and the importance of improved shearing shed safety.
Learn about the SafeSheds program and practical strategies for enhancing safety and productivity in shearing sheds.
Listen to this inspiring episode to gain valuable insights from industry experts on enhancing safety and productivity in shearing sheds.
Private vets play an important part in an emergency animal disease response
Agriculture Victoria is looking for private vets to help support future emergency animal disease outbreak response efforts.
Emergency response work for private vets could include:
- investigation of suspect cases.
- in-field surveillance.
- diagnostic sampling.
- euthanasia and vaccination.
Putting your hand up is a great opportunity to share your expertise, learn new skills and help protect Victoria’s agriculture sector. Casual employment and veterinary service contracts are available.
Training and resources
We have a range of online courses tailored for vets available on our website covering different topics, including some that contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
CMA Drought Employment Program
Farmers, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by the ongoing drought conditions in the south west can now apply to be part of the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program.
The Victorian Government funded program, delivered in the Corangamite and Glenelg Hopkins CMA regions, provides meaningful off-farm employment opportunities for people experiencing hardship because of dry conditions – either through reduced hours, profitability or loss of employment – to take on a role with their CMA over the next 12 months.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA CEO Adam Bester said the program enables not only drought affected workers to be employed but gives their usual employers time to get back on their feet.
'Employers of participating farmers will get a break from paying their wages without losing them as employees, because once the program is complete, they will still be locally based. The program will be flexible, offering a range of part time or full time roles depending on what suits applicants best,' he said.
Corangamite CMA CEO Amber Clarke said the Drought Employment Program will play an important role in supporting farmers and community who are doing it tough while helping to deliver environmental outcomes on the ground in both regions.
'Like previous successful CMA Drought Employment Programs, this program provides a way for people to earn an income, apply their skills and build confidence in future employment opportunities by undertaking a range of different catchment health works – like riparian fencing, pest and weed control and revegetation,' she said.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney announced the Drought Employment Program as part of the $144 million support package developed through the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce.
'The Drought Employment Program will support workers with off-farm income while conditions are difficult, while bringing forward essential local environmental and waterway improvement works.'
A total of $1m is available for the Catchment Management Authority-led Drought Employment Programs in the south west, where drought conditions have been the most severe over a long period of time.
The program will be available for farmers or farm-dependent workers from 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in south west Victoria including Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong and southern parts of West Wimmera.
Eligible local farmers and farm workers can now express interest in being part of the program ahead of a recruitment process via www.ccma.vic.gov.au (Corangamite CMA region) or www.ghcma.vic.gov.au (Glenelg Hopkins CMA region).
Look Over the Farm Gate - event grants
The Look Over the Farm Gate grants help communities come together to promote social connection and support mental health and wellbeing during drought.
The program is coordinated by the National Centre for Farmer Health and is offering grants of up to $5,000 to help local organisations run events that bring together and support farmers, farming families and communities under stress.
To apply for a grant visit farmerhealth.org.au/look-over-the-farm-gate
For information about the Victorian Government’s drought support package visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Summer of Cyber Program
Applications for the Victorian Government’s Summer of Cyber Program are now open and close on 15 September 2025.
Summer of Cyber is a Victorian Government program being delivered in partnership with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN). The program is boosting the cyber capabilities and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses and startups across all sectors, including technology.
It aims to bridge the cyber skills gap by connecting businesses with skilled women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates.
The program works by matching businesses with women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates to solve cyber-related challenges over 10-12 weeks, at no financial cost to the business.
To participate, businesses will need a cyber-related problem or project that needs solving.
Businesses are also expected to provide in-kind support including:
- mentoring and guidance to students
- holding meetings with the project team and being involved in the process; and
- providing a desk and equipment for the student (if permitted).
For more information and to apply, please visit the AWSN webpage.
For all enquiries, please contact summerofcyber@awsn.org.au
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Understanding your farm dams webinar
Date and time: Friday 22 August from 12 - 1 pm
Join us for an informative webinar exploring key questions about farm dam reliability and performance using the Small Farm Dams Tool:
- Are my dams reliable?
- Are they in a sufficient catchment and the right size?
- What affects run-off? soil type, ground cover
What are the legal requirements? Do I need a licence to build, operate, or use my dam? What are the safety responsibilities? Who should I contact for advice?
This session will help you better understand dam characteristics, performance, and compliance with Victorian regulations, including licensing under the Water Act 1989.
LPA, NLIS, eNVD and eID update for Victoria: ISC State Partner Webinar Series
Date and time: Monday 25 August from 7 pm
Join ISC and Agriculture Victoria for this webinar to learn more about Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) including:
- How to use a new mapping tool to share your geolocation to support European market access for beef and beef products after EUDR rules begin in December
- How to create an Animal Welfare Management Plan when seeking LPA accreditation/reaccreditation or at any time
- New Dairy QA voluntary module – what this means for dairy producers
- Harvested Rangeland Goats – NVD updates and reminders
- Sheep and goat electronic identification - update and reminders
- Latest eNVD web-based system improvements
- NLIS Database Uplift Project - receive an update on this significant project to uplift the NLIS database.
Virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly
Date and time: Tuesday 26 August from 9-10 am
Date and time: Tuesday 9 September from 9-10 am
FREE AND ONLINE
Drought smokos are an hour a fortnight to get away from the paddock and catch up with a group of farmers who are all in the same boat!
We will talk about the science of feeding, how much, which commodities, pros and cons, cost, different options, trigger points and planning.
Dr Jillian Kelly is a vet and nutritionist from Coonamble, in north-west NSW. She ran drought smokos every fortnight through the 2018–20 drought and it made a difference to hundreds of farmers and thousands of livestock.
While you don't get to taste her scones, you do get to learn all that she knows about feeding livestock in tough conditions, and to enjoy an hour of mateship away from the feed cart.
Intro to lean and drought support business planning - webinar
Date and time: Wednesday 27 August from 12:30 - 2:30 pm
FREE AND ONLINE
Running a farm business in a challenging climate is no small task – but you don’t have to do it alone.
This free webinar is designed for business owners and management teams seeking practical tools, fresh perspective, and support to begin planning for a stronger, more sustainable future for their business.
Join Moshie for an engaging and practical business management session where we’ll guide you through simple yet effective ways to reduce waste, manage resources more efficiently and make informed decisions that improve business efficiency and profitability, even through climate and economic uncertainty.
VFF Stock Sense: Goat diseases and nutrition webinar series
Date and time: Wednesday August 27 from 6 - 7:30 pm
Date and time: Wednesday 3 September from 6 - 7:30 pm
Session 1 - Goat nutrition essentials for small landholders after a dry winter with Jess Revell (Rumenate Livestock Services).
Session 2 - Managing Victoria's most common goat diseases - identification, prevention and treatment with Berwyn Squire from Agriculture Victoria.
Perennial Pasture Systems annual conference
Date and time: Tuesday 9 September from 8 am - 5 pm
Where: Ararat Town Hall, corner of Barkly and Vincent Streets, Ararat.
The conference is titled “Taking Stock” and is focusing on where our region’s farms are at after a period of low sheep and wool prices followed by very dry conditions. PPS is also looking at the effect of the PPS project on farm resilience to help get through these tough times. PPS is also looking forward to see how members can position themselves to take advantage of changing circumstances in the foreseeable future.
Talk the Talk workshop - Cobden
Date and time: Wednesday 10 September from 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Cobden Football Netball Club, Parrott Street, Cobden.
Talking about mental health isn’t always easy—especially when you’re not sure what to say. If you’re a supplier or service provider working in a rural setting, you may have noticed when a customer or client isn’t themselves, but knowing how to start that conversation can feel overwhelming.
What you will learn:
- awareness – understanding mental health challenges in farming communities and who farmers are most likely to talk to
- observation – recognising signs that something isn’t right
- strategies and tools – how to have a conversation, what to say, and how to say it
- responding to crisis – what to do if the worst happens
- grief and loss cycle – understanding the emotional impact of crisis and change
- protective factors – practical ways to check in and offer support
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.