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Thursday 16 October 2025
Apply today for a Farm Drought Support Grant to support drought management activities including:
- Stock Containment Areas (SCA)
- Reticulated water systems
- Irrigation system upgrades
- Grain and fodder storage
- Internal re-fencing
- Feed system upgrades
- Pasture/crop restoration
- Water carting for livestock and essential business activities.
For program guidelines, a list of eligible drought management activities and to apply visit Rural Finance.
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.
Watch for Phalaris poisoning in livestock
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
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.
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.
Monitoring worms essential this spring
Alison Desmond, Project Leader BestWool/BestLamb
Drought conditions over winter may have compromised the condition of sheep and reduced their resistance to internal parasites.
Short pastures and prolonged grazing close to the ground can increase the risk of worm larvae uptake. Although pasture growth in spring typically lowers susceptibility, it remains essential to stay vigilant—particularly at and after weaning when young animals are most vulnerable.
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.
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.
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
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.
Succession Planning Roadshow: 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.
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.
Be Work Ready - Jobs on Farms
- Monday 20 October
- Tuesday 21 October
Heyfield Community Resource Centre, 5 George Street, Heyfield.
To book your place, email coordinator@heyfield.net
Growing and Grazing Multispecies Crops with Jade Killoran
When: Tuesday 21 October, 10 am - 2:30 pm
Where: 927 Marlo-Conran Road, Marlo
- How to grow them
- How to oversow with them
- Where they fit into a pasture renovation plan
- What are the benefits to your cattle.
Managing biodiversity on your farm - Tetoora Road
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.
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 – Get ‘RIC Ready’ to apply for a low-cost farm business loan
When: Wednesday 29 October, 12 to 1 pm.
Join this free webinar to understand more about eligibility criteria before applying and what you need to know before you submit an application for an Australian Government low-cost loan delivered by RIC (Regional Investment Corporation).
The webinar will cover:
- What are RIC loans for?
- Am I eligible to apply?
- What do I need to do to apply?
- How does the loan process work?
- Who can I talk to for guidance?
Just A Farmer - free community screening
When: Thursday 30 October, 6 pm
Where: Maffco Brewery and Distillery.
Just A Farmer is a powerful, independent Australian film that explores mental health in rural communities with raw honesty and hope. Written and produced by Victorian mother, teacher and farmer Leila McDougall, this story has touched hearts around the country.
The night will include:
- screening of the feature film Just A Farmer
- Q&A with filmmaker Leila McDougall
- panel conversation with local voices
- dinner for attendees
- info and support stalls from regional organisations.
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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