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Thursday 26 June 2025
Drought support
Look Over The Farm Gate
The Look Over The Farm Gate program is now open.
This program provides an opportunity to bring communities together to support farmers and their families under stress.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government, the program offers grants of up to $5,000 for community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness.
Find out more at: https://farmerhealth.org.au/
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Roughage is essential
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
With the escalating price of hay and the availability of other feed supplements you may be asking ‘why feed roughage this winter?’
Roughage will be needed during winter for any of the following reasons:
- even though some roughage may be left uneaten, for digestive function livestock require a minimum amount of fibre and long roughage to maintain their digestive systems. This is sometimes known as the 'scratch factor' and stimulates rumination (cud chewing)
- if feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage acidosis or grain poisoning can occur
- as we move further into winter, hay may be needed to reduce grass tetany risks and allows a way of administering Causmag.
Livestock need to eat more roughage in cold weather to give them energy for heat production.
Roughage in their diet helps keep livestock warm since the fermentation and breakdown of cellulose creates heat energy.
If they don’t have enough roughage, the weight will melt off as they mine body fat to create energy for warmth.
Therefore, there are several compelling reasons why roughage may be needed this winter.
Plus, if you can feed late in the afternoon it will provide your livestock ‘heat’ through the night.
For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health or extension staff, or in NSW your Local Land Services.
Across the state any farmer can access technical information and advice to help manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.
These services will be delivered in partnership with a range of technical experts, including farm business advisors, livestock nutritionists, soil, water and pasture specialists and veterinarians.
The program provides tailored advice through one-on-one consultations, webinars, workshops, field days, and online tools and information.
Find more information on drought support at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Safeguarding Victoria's agricultural sector
Victoria has a strong track record in containing H7N8 avian influenza to date, with no new cases since February 2025 – a major milestone in safeguarding our world-class poultry industry.
Victoria’s agricultural industry is backed by a $36.7 million Victorian Budget 2025/26 investment which included $20 million to make sure the state is well prepared to respond to biosecurity threats and emergency diseases now and into the future, including avian influenza.
This funding helped to bolster Agriculture Victoria’s capacity to respond to the avian influenza outbreak, this includes training staff to build up their capability to respond to the outbreak and investing in equipment to make sure staff have the right tools for the job.
Quick quiz to help evaluate your farm water system
Farmers can use a simple online quiz to evaluate the effectiveness of their farm water supply system – which is available on our website.
Agriculture Victoria Climate Change Service Development Officer Heather Field said the short quiz could help farmers develop a farm water improvement plan for their property.
‘There are 14 questions to help farmers assess their current farm water system,’ Ms Field said.
The quiz is designed to help you assess whether your farm water system is easy to maintain, performs well and is suitable for climate challenges such as warmer, drier climatic conditions, fire risk and other natural disasters such as storm events.
At the end of the quiz, you will receive a score and summary report based on your responses.
‘The quiz is best suited for livestock enterprises that have dams and a reticulated farm water supply system.’
Go to https://go.vic.gov.au/4l4PKDJ and visit the Goals Catalogue to access the quiz. Sign in to our Learning Management System to complete the quiz.
Find more information on drought support and technical decision-making support at https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought
WorkSafe risk warning for silage wrappers
Farm machinery is the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries on farms.
In-line silage wrappers have many hazards and risks.
There are many contributing factors and recommended ways to control risks, for more information go to Employee killed whilst operating a silage wrapper | WorkSafe Victoria
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
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Euroa workshop – Lambing and calving during drought conditions
Tuesday, 1 July from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Euroa Memorial Oval.
All welcome to this 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.
Hear from industry experts including Jim Walsh (Coopers Animal Health), Lucy Waldron (Reid Stockfeeds), and Sally Hollingworth and Gerard Roney (Advantage Feeders).
Topics include confinement lambing, early weaning, creep feeding with lamb and calf panels, and tailored nutrition strategies for each stage of production.
Tickets are $20 (+TryBooking fees), with all proceeds supporting the National Centre for Farmer Health.
Morning tea and lunch are included. Places are limited – book now to secure your seat.
Tumpinyeri growers soil biology workshop
Tumpinyeri Growers use regenerative farming practices to grow salad and other vegetables for local markets. They follow agroecological principles and are focused on soil health, and careful water usage including for crop production and to encourage biodiversity.
Tumpinyeri Growers have been working with RMIT University and University of Melbourne on a research project examining soil biological health with a focus on nematodes, bacteria and fungi. This workshop will present a summary of the research findings.
Workshop details
Where: 129 Morgantis Road, Eganstown.
When: Tuesday 1 July from 10 am to 2 pm - lunch will be provided.
This will be an opportunity to hear from scientists about soil biology, soil health, and how management practices influence soil properties, plant growth and healthy production systems.
Presenters will include Josh Williams, Tumpinyeri Growers, Dr Helen Hayden, RMIT University and Dr Reza Ghaderi, University of Melbourne.
Webinar – Talking trees
Trees do a lot more than just take root. Trees on farms improve biodiversity, enhance soils, and sequester carbon all while improving farm productivity and health.
Join Landcare Victoria's next webinar on Thursday, 3 July, to learn more about how trees can benefit your farm while being used to generate additional revenue through agroforestry, carbon farming, or biodiversity markets.
When: Thursday, 3 July
Rochester, St Arnaud and Castlemaine – Know your number, control your future
Join us to learn how understanding your farm’s number can help you improve efficiency, boost soil health and gain access to emerging markets, while providing practical insights to help futureproof your business and maintain profitability.
This free workshop will feature locally relevant strategies and be delivered by people who have practical experience in agriculture. It will equip farmers with the information and resources they need to apply practical strategies that suit the way they farm today.
- Rochester: 1 July, Rochester Community House, 43–45 MacKay Street
- St Arnaud: 2 July, St Arnaud CFA, 10 Alma Street
- Castlemaine: 3 July, Former Tea Rooms, Castlemaine Botanic Gardens, Downes Road.
Presenter Cam Nicholson is an agronomist and has been consulting to the ag industry for 40 years and is a director of consulting business Nicon Rural Services.
Managing on-farm emissions doesn’t mean radical changes to the way you farm. In our region, it’s the opposite. Farmers in north central Victoria can incorporate simple strategies into their existing farming practices and enjoy the benefits of a better ACCU number.
Topics include:
- improving soil health
- rotational grazing
- improving herd efficiency
- pasture planting
- manure management
- and more.
All workshops run from 9:30 am to 2 pm, and a barbecue lunch will be provided.
Baranduda – Integrated fox management in peri-urban areas
Foxes are one of the most significant threats to native biodiversity, impacting livestock and agricultural production.
Join this free workshop and hear from experts on fox behaviour and best practice control options, focussing on peri-urban areas and collaborative management.
Saturday 19 July from 10 am to 1 pm at Baranduda Community Centre, 3 Sage Ct, Baranduda.
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network is working with Agriculture Victoria to deliver this workshop on managing foxes in our area.
In good times and bad: Adaptive skills for your farming future
When: 22-23 July, 8:30 am for 9 am start to 3 pm.
Where: Dookie College, 940 Dookie-Nalinga Road, Dookie.
When: 14-15 August, 8:30 am for 9 am start to 3 pm.
Where: Agriculture Victoria, 124 Chiltern Valley Road, Rutherglen.
Livestock and grain producers are invited to participate in a 2-day course for your farm business future. In the course you will develop a plan that will help contribute to your farm’s success.
For further information, contact: Kylie Macreadie Team Leader Land Management, on 0427 052 352 or email kylie.macreadie@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Irrigation Insights 2025
Irrigation Insights is designed to address the needs of irrigated farm systems offering growers access to information and the latest innovations. The conference program focuses on issues and opportunities for irrigated farm systems.
Event details
Date and time: Tuesday 22 July, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Venue: Rich River Golf Club, Moama
St Arnaud – Setting strategies for farm business success
St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan Street, St Arnaud.
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy.
8:30 am – 3 pm, 23 and 24 July.
Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go.
Presenters include Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting. Dale Grey and Jim Moran representing Ag Vic and Brendan Williams, Managing Director Autonomous Ag, on the latest in AgTech.
Rutherglen – In good times and bad: Adaptive skills for your farming future
Livestock and grain producers are invited to participate in a two-day course for your farm business future. In the course you will develop a plan that will help contribute to your farm’s success.
This free course will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, 14 and 15 August at Agriculture Victoria, 124 Chiltern Valley Road, Rutherglen, from 8:30 am for 9 am start to 3 pm.
Presenter, Dr Kate Burke is an independent farm consultant with extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture. Her expertise is sought by large corporate enterprises, but she most enjoys working with farmers that have a commitment to improvement. Using an evidence-based approach, Kate will guide you towards ‘excellent farming’.
Topics include:
- key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
- income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
- calculating basic financial benchmarks
- understanding your personal appetite for risk
- understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
- managing climate variability and farm financial performance
- scenario planning for the 2025 season and beyond.
Participants who complete the two-day course and business plans will be eligible for free 45-90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.
For further information contact Kylie Macreadie on 0427 052 352 or at kylie.macreadie@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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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