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Thursday, 3 July 2025
Drought support – Statewide 1:1 technical support
Farmers anywhere in Victoria can register now for a one-on-one farm advisory consultation to take stock and discuss the best way forward for their business.
The consultation includes a session of up to 3 hours (face to face or online) and follow-up call, to develop and implement a drought management action plan.
When registering for the program, participants can indicate their preferred consultant from an extensive list of experienced service providers.
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Securing affordable care for Victorian pets statewide
Victorian pet owners will benefit from expanded and upgraded services delivered by not-for-profit animal care organisations across the state thanks to the Victorian Government.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced 33 successful grant recipients as part of Round 12 of the Animal Welfare Fund Grants program, with a total of $1.6 million awarded in this round.
This includes almost $1.14 million to not-for-profit organisations, shelters, and community rescue and rehoming organisations to support the rehoming of companion animals.
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
Every record matters
Millions of livestock are travelling into, out of, and across Victoria each year and when an emergency happens, Agriculture Victoria needs to know where they are.
Quick traceability means we can contain and eradicate emergency animal diseases and contact livestock owners to assess animal welfare needs when there is a fire or flood. This helps to reduce the impacts on individual farmers and the wider industry.
The database isn’t just used in emergencies. Last year there were 33 million livestock movements recorded in Victoria and the database is used by Agriculture Victoria every day to assist stock agents with tracking consignments and undertaking tracebacks on livestock for national residue survey audits.
There are three parts to Victoria’s world-class traceability system:
1. All locations where livestock are kept have a Property Identification Code (PIC). This includes farms and saleyards.
2. All livestock are identified by a National Livestock Identification System ear tag or device.
3. All livestock movements to a different PIC are recorded in the NLIS database.
Up-to-date records are vital and protecting our livestock industry relies on us all doing our part.
When cattle arrive at your property it’s your legal responsibility to ensure the National Livestock Identification System database is updated within two days. This includes cattle on agistment.
The NLIS can be updated by you, a stock agent, a farm manager or contractor.
Cattle tagging and recording of movements are a vital part of our protecting farming industry and wider community.
For more information call our NLIS helpline on 1800 678 779 between 9 am and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/p2p
If your property doesn’t have a PIC visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/pic
Soil needed to dig deeper into microbiome research
On World Microbiome Day, Agriculture Victoria launched an expression of interest campaign to encourage farmers to donate soil samples to a National Soil Action Plan-funded research project.
Funded by the Australian and Victorian governments, the ‘Soil biodiversity across landscapes’ project will seek to implement priority actions from the plan under the National Soil Strategy
Agriculture Victoria Research (AVR) Principal Scientist Tim Sawbridge said he hoped to attract interest from at least 50 farmers statewide.
‘We are looking at what microbiomes exist in soil and how they function across natural and farmed environments,’ Dr Sawbridge said.
‘A soil microbiome is a community of microbes, bacteria, invertebrates and other life forms that live within soil.
‘To gain a deep understanding of their role in soil health, we’re wanting a broad range of samples from various production zones and agricultural industries in Victoria.’
AVR is working alongside the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) on the project to collect and analyse samples of soil from across the state.
Barwon Water expanding drought support
Farmers in our region are experiencing dry conditions, with low on-farm water supplies. To help support those affected by dry conditions, Barwon Water are offering more untreated water for farmland properties and recycled water to farmers and community facilities who need it.
They are calling it the Barwon Water Farm Drought Relief Program. If you are in the Colac region, access to untreated water will be available from the Colac Water Treatment Plant or Class B recycled water from the Colac Water Reclamation Plant.
If you are in the Geelong region, Class A recycled water will be available from Armstrong Creek.
Untreated and Class A recycled water are on track to be available from 30 June 2025.
Class B recycled water will be available from mid-July. Access to the water is not restricted to current Barwon Water customers or those within our service area – users from anywhere may apply to access the water.
Untreated water will be provided at a discounted rate to farm customers.
Class A and Class B recycled water will also be available at low or no cost. Those accessing the water will need to cover water carting costs.
Managing Director Shaun Cumming said the initiative formed part of the Victorian Government’s wider drought support package.
'This record-breaking stretch of low rainfall has had a deep effect throughout our local communities and across Victoria,' Mr Cumming said.
'We’re introducing this targeted measure to offer some relief to those who are feeling the harsh economic and social brunt of the drought.
'Alongside our existing business grants and rebates, we’re exploring further ways we can provide dedicated support to farming customers.'
Applications to use the water will ask for details around intended use, the type of land the water will be used on, nearby sensitive land areas, risk assessments and soil and nutrient management.
Those approved to access untreated and recycled water through the program are responsible for the appropriate use, transport, storage and distribution of the water, which needs to be carefully managed in accordance with the EPA recycled water guidelines.
Shane Fowles, Strategic Communications Advisor 0447 064 792 Barwon Water’s Farm Drought Relief Program is being delivered alongside the Victorian Government’s direct drought support and Agriculture Victoria’s technical and decision-making support program.
Barwon Water’s in-house contact centre is ready to support any farmer in a discussion on payment assistance options and access to the new standpipes.
Farmers may also be interested in our WaterSmart Business program which offers grants and rebates for current farming customers. More information is available here: https://tinyurl.com/4xdz9ajt
The contact centre team can also assist farmers not currently connected to a Barwon Water service, with information on options such as setting up a supply by agreement. More information is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ar49v6hf
At the request of the Minister for Water and informed by input from members of the Premier's Drought Taskforce, we are delivering the Barwon Water Farm Drought Relief Program - offering more water for farmers and community facilities who need it.
Further requirement details and applications to access the untreated and recycled water can be found at https://tinyurl.com/mv7nxjte.
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
Premier ag tech event returns to Victoria in 2026
The Victorian Government is proud to welcome Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood innovation event evokeAG to Melbourne – a forum bringing the brightest minds in agtech, food production, research and agricultural investment.
Led by AgriFutures Australia, evokeAG is a leading global agrifood technology and innovation event that unites the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific and around the world.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced its return from 17-18 February 2026 at the Melbourne Convention Centre, where entrepreneurs and growing companies will showcase their work, together with live demonstrations, food and beverage experiences and interactive sessions designed to inspire, inform, and drive collaboration.
Raising a glass to Victoria's premier wines for 2025
The Victorian Government is celebrating some of Victoria’s most exciting winemakers at this year’s Victorian Wine Show, showcasing the best wine on offer from across the state.
Backing workers in our world-class wine industry
The Victorian Government is investing in the sustainability and profitability of Victoria’s prestigious wine industry – backing regional jobs and tourism.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced a $160,000 investment to support Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to improve their practises and outcomes.
Catch up on our webinar: Seasonal Outlook Mythbusting
Did you miss our recent webinar? Click below to watch.
Hear Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey discuss the timing of the autumn break, if summer is really dry - does it have any bearing on the autumn break, why is it so hard to accurately predict the autumn break, current forecasts and what tools are available to help with planning.
Watch here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Catch up on our 'feeding by-products' webinar
If you missed our recent webinar on feeding by-products, you can catch up by clicking the button below.
Passcode: feeding
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
AgCelerate workshop – Woolsthorpe
Friday, 4 July, 11 am to 3.30 pm
Woolsthorpe Union Station Hotel, 22 Manifold Street, Woolsthorpe
Farmers and ag service providers across Victoria are facing tough seasonal decisions – and that’s exactly what this workshop is here to support.
This event is supported by Agriculture Victoria’s Drought Support Package.
Delivered by ag consultant, business coach and former agribusiness banker Paige Cross from Cross Country Management, this interactive half-day session is designed to help producers make informed, forward-focused business decisions – especially in a dry and uncertain season.
Paige works across South Australia, Victoria and beyond, supporting farming families and ag professionals to build financially resilient, strategically focused businesses. She brings both lived experience and industry know-how, with a practical, no-nonsense style that clients value and trust.
You’ll explore real-world scenarios – like buying or leasing land, off-farm investments, or continuing to feed stock – and understand the short and long-term financial impact of each choice.
We'll also include a focused 1-hour ‘Wow Your Banker’ session to help you feel on the front foot for your next finance conversation.
- Explore costed scenarios relevant to your business.
- Gain tools to support confident decision-making.
- Understand the impact of current choices on future outcomes.
- Enjoy a supportive, judgement-free environment.
This is not a sit-and-listen workshop. It’s a hands-on, practical space to reflect, plan, and take action—with someone who understands the ag sector and the challenges you're working through.
The session includes a working lunch and concludes at 3:15 pm with afternoon tea.
Lambing and calving during drought conditions
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.
Webinar – Calculating on-farm emissions
Online on 30 July from 5.30 to 7 pm
Nationally and internationally, governments and companies are making net zero commitments, driving demand for low-emissions agricultural products. Understanding your on-farm emissions can help you access emerging markets, understand on-farm opportunities and increase your productivity, all while improving the environment.
For our next webinar, agronomist and farmer Cam Nicholson will take you through a new, simple calculator from Agricultural Innovation Australia (AIA) and will give you a step-by-step guide to calculating your on-farm emissions. Cam will be joined by land carers and farmers, who will share their experience and tips for calculating their on-farm emissions. Their learnings and productivity gains may surprise you.
Calculating your on-farm emissions can seem daunting. But knowing your number is the first step in considering how your farm can be sustainable in years to come. Whether you want to inset or offset, knowing your number will help you understand your power in the supply chain.
Complementing our Carbon Farming Outreach Program, this is the third of five webinars in 2025, designed to look deeper at carbon farming and answer your questions. This is part of an ongoing series of events, including free, sector
relevant local training – see what’s available near you here.
Submit your questions for the webinar here.
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
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