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Thursday 9 October 2025
- 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.
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.
Find more information on drought support: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
World first beetle lure developed for almond crops
Agriculture Victoria research scientists have developed a new, pesticide-free way to help almond growers manage a major pest in their orchards.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Research Scientist Dr Samantha Edley said the almond carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncatus) is a serious challenge for almond growers, but a world-first lure developed at AgriBio and trialled at the Mildura SmartFarm offers a targeted approach to tackling it.
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.
Dairy effluent contains many important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
An effluent test is the best way to determine the most appropriate application rate for your farm as nutrient levels vary widely between farms.
Keeping soil in place when your paddocks are bare
Kerri Goschnick, Land Management Extension Officer
Maintenance is the key to reducing soil and sediment movement in paddocks. While spring rain is valuable for pastures and replenishing farm dams, run-off may also carry sediment into livestock dams, particularly where there is exposed soil in heavily grazed paddocks.
Hay bales or netting held together with steel posts or stakes to control sediment flow into dams can be a good starting point, although the cost of hay and the hazard of steel posts should be considered. Coir logs are a potential alternative to hay bales.
Get Fire Ready
Victorians are being urged to prepare for the upcoming fire season, as part of CFA’s 'Get Fire Ready' month during October.
CFA brigades are hosting activities at fire stations and community events to meet residents and provide practical advice on how they can plan for what may be an increased fire risk this summer.
'Get Fire Ready' focuses on helping householders understand their local bushfire and grassfire risks, including how to create a survival plan, and learning where to access emergency information.
Getting prepared doesn’t need to be complicated. Clearing gutters, mowing lawns and trimming branches around homes can reduce the chance of embers starting a fire.
Families are encouraged to make a fire plan that includes where they will go if a fire breaks out, and making sure they have set a watch zone in the VicEmergency app to receive alerts.
The 'Get Fire Ready' events strengthen connections between CFA brigades and their local communities, ensuring everyone has the information they need.
All Victorians, particularly those in high-risk areas, are encouraged to attend a local event by visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready
You can also request a free 'Get Fire Ready' pack to be sent to you by filling out an online form at the same website address.
New wine strategy to boost regional jobs and growth
The Victorian Government is shaping the future of Victoria’s wine industry – creating more regional jobs and helping grow the state’s $9.5 billion wine sector.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has unveiled a five-year strategy to grow agriculture, boost innovation, and create jobs that strengthen regional economies.
Victoria’s duck abundance survey about to begin
The Game Management Authority (GMA) will begin its annual survey of Victoria’s game duck population on Tuesday, 21 October 2025.
The survey will be conducted by wildlife biologists, who will record the presence, species and number of game ducks at more than 850 waterbodies across Victoria, including wetlands, farm dams, sewerage treatment plants, streams and rivers. The survey will also include
ground counts where the helicopter is unable to operate.
Satellite imaging will be used to determine how much water is in game duck habitats in Victoria, which informs an estimate of the total abundance of each game duck species in the
state.
The GMA is continuing this research as part of the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan. The results from the survey will be used as one of the key inputs to support Adaptive Harvest Management for setting sustainable duck hunting arrangements
each year.
GMA Research Principal, Dr Jason Flesch, said regularly collecting data is critical to understanding what drives the abundance and productivity of game duck populations.
'Results from this survey will help to accurately estimate total game duck abundance, based on the environmental conditions at the time,' Dr Flesch said.
'This research is the most comprehensive survey of game ducks undertaken in Victoria. It benefits wildlife conservation by increasing our understanding of the ecology of Victoria’s game duck populations and the health of their habitats.'
The 2025 survey is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 21 October until Saturday, 8 November, inclusive. The flight schedule may change from day to day, depending on weather conditions or other factors.
Residents in surveyed areas may see a helicopter flying at low levels for a short time and for no longer than is necessary. Disturbance to livestock will be minimised or avoided. The safety of people and livestock is a priority.
The results of the survey will be published on the GMA website in 2026.
Are you a rising star in the agriculture or rural sector?
The Zanda McDonald Award can help you realise your ambitions through life-changing mentoring, industry connections, and unique 'light-bulb moments.' Tap into a dynamic network of leading ag professionals and take part in a fully funded trans-Tasman tour designed to fast-track your personal and professional growth.
Open to individuals aged 21–35 across Australia and New Zealand.
Apply for the 2026 Award and unlock your full potential.
Online applications are open until 31 October 2025.
Apply now: irrigation incentive program
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria are pleased to open a new round of farm plan incentives, and for the first time, farmers in Warragul, Thorpdale, Noojee and Perry Bridge and across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment are eligible to apply.
Up to $10,000 per farm is available through the Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program to help with the cost of a professionally designed irrigation plan.
Drive change: be the next VGT Chair
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) is seeking a passionate and strategic leader to step into the role of Chair. This is a unique opportunity to guide the development of VGT’s new gorse strategy and help shape the future direction of community-led pest plant management across the state.
As Chair, you’ll work closely with landholders, community groups, and government partners to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and ensure gorse control efforts are effective and sustainable.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and lead the next chapter of VGT’s work, we encourage you to apply.
Applications close 7 November 2025.
What's On
Managing biodiversity on your farm - Flynn and Tetoora Road
When: Friday 10 October, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Redmond property, 850 Princes Hwy, Flynn
When: Wednesday 22 October, 10:30 am - 2 pm
Where: Tetoora Road Community Centre, 2575 Korumburra-Warragul Road, Tetoora Road
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network invite you to a farm walk and talk with local ecologist Peter Gannon.
Learn practical ways to protect and enhance biodiversity on your property, and explore exciting opportunities in carbon farming, biodiversity markets, and grants designed to support sustainable land management.
Lunch provided. BYO chair.
Integrated Worm Management for Sheep
Gelantipy:
When: Monday 13 October, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.
Where: 52 Saleyards Road, Gelantipy.
Swifts Creek:
When: Monday 13 October, 5 - 8 pm
Where: DEECA Office. 13 McMillan Avenue.
Bengworden:
When: Tuesday 14 October, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Gippsland Ag Centre, 345 Bengworden Road.
A 3-year project with the Bairnsdale BestWool/BestLamb group aims to demonstrate best practice sheep worm management in East Gippsland.
These sessions will outline the various practices important to integrated sheep worm management such as monitoring drench effectiveness, grazing management and breeding for resistance.
Topics will include:
- outcomes of the drench resistance testing undertaken as part of the project.
- importance of quarantine drenching.
- grazing management to reduce worm burdens in your pastures.
- breeding for resistance
- update on demonstration sites in each area.
Look Over the Farm Gate: Help a Mate!
Farming families are invited to a series of community BBQs to connect during the drought conditions.
11 am to 2 pm.
- Tuesday 14 October: Ellinbank
Succession Planning Roadshow: Paynesville, Genoa, Buchan, Twin Rivers, Bairnsdale, Orbost and Omeo
'It's all okay... until it's not.'
As part of the Victorian Seniors Festival 2025, NEX and East Gippsland Shire Council are hosting a series of informative workshops on Succession Planning. These sessions are
designed to give attendees clarity and confidence to approach the important and often difficult topic of succession.
Learn why succession planning matters, what options there are and how to start the process.
Buchan:
When: Tuesday 14 October, 10 am - 12 pm
Where: Neighbourhood House, 6 Centre Road, Buchan
Twin Rivers:
When: Wednesday 15 October, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Where: Nicholson Hotel, 929 Princes Highway, Twin Rivers
Bairnsdale:
When: Tuesday 21 October, 10 am - 12 pm
Where: GAgG, 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale
Orbost:
When: Wednesday 22 October, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Service Centre/Library, 1 Ruskin Street, Orbost
Omeo:
When: Tuesday 28 October, 4 - 6 pm
Where: Fresh Air Cafe, 199 Day Avenue, Omeo.
Spring webinar series
Spring is here, and silage, hay and pasture recovery will be top of mind for many producers.
Join us for a lunchtime webinar, 12:30 to 1:30 pm.
- October 15: Bounce Back Pastures with Andrew Speirs from Meridian Agriculture
Waste Not: Getting the most from your dairy effluent
When: Wednesday 15 October, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Macalister Demonstration Farm
285 Boggy Creek Rd, Riverslea
Dairy effluent is a valuable source of nutrients that can save you money in reduced fertiliser bills.
This workshop will explore different effluent management options, including composting, fermentation and biogas.
- Pros and cons of different systems
- How to get the best out of the organic resources on a dairy farm
- How much extra nutrient is really required on a dairy farm.
Make your dairy farm more resource savvy, less reliant on imported nutrients, less exposed to commodity price fluctuations. A much more resilient farming system.
Weed and Pest Workshop on farm - Flynn and Seaview
- Flynn – Friday 17 October, 10 am to 2 pm
- Seaview – Thursday 30 October, 10 am to 2 pm
Got weed or pest problems? Join the Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network for practical, expert advice from vertebrate control specialist Dominic Bromilow (DeeperGreen) and habitat restoration guru Gez Watt (Native Habitat).
What you’ll get:
- 4 hours with Dominic and Gez (bring photos and questions!)
- Take-home weed and pest management calendars
- Free herbicide dabber to get you started
- Morning tea and lunch provided.
Be Work Ready - Jobs on Farms
- Monday 13 October
- Tuesday 14 October
- Monday 20 October
- Tuesday 21 October
Heyfield Community Resource Centre, 5 George Street, Heyfield.
To book your place, email coordinator@heyfield.net
2025 Gippsland Research Farm Spring Field Day
When: Thursday 23 October, 8:30 am - 4 pm
Where: Gippsland Agriculture Centre
Topics will include:
- Lucerne and pasture variety trials
- Containment area design and feeding solutions
- Cereal and faba bean varieties
- Soils and lime demo with LimeAssist
- McCormick tractor demo
- Hay, silage and weighty weaners.
Webinar: Farm fire preparedness
When: Monday 27 October, 7 to 8:15 pm
Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital.
Whether you’re a livestock producer or small landholder, run a horticulture enterprise or are new to farming, it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season.
Join us for this 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 season.
In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie 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 and putting a fire plan into practice. They will also share information on the recovery process.
Topics covered:
- 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) and NLIS details.
Webinar: Boosting livestock performance with eID
When: Friday 7 November, 3 – 5 pm
RSVP by: Monday 3 November
This webinar will focus on the practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
Topics will include:
- Key benefits of adopting eID technology
- Practical tips for effective data management
- Aligning data collection with your farm’s strategic goals
- Building a data collection calendar tailored to your business
- Turning raw data into actionable insights.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Food & Fibre Gippsland's events on their website.
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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