Thursday 25 September 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.

Due to a current Victoria Police operation, we have cancelled the Ovens bounty collection on Tuesday, 30 September.

All other bounty collection centres in the north east will remain open as scheduled. 

Vic Hub project 1 of 5 awarded in national long-term trials program

Almond, summer-fruit and pear tree-survival signatures focus of $7.8m project to better manage drought conditions in Australia’s $16.3b horticulture industry

A project to establish tree-survival signatures for water stress in orchards is 1 of only 5 nationally to receive funding in Round 2 of the Future Drought Fund (FDF) Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program.

Through extensive research, the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub (Vic Hub) project will develop guidelines and tools to help Australia’s $16.3 billion horticulture industry better manage drought conditions.

Recording of hay or grain webinar now available

Don’t despair if you missed our hay or grain webinar this week with Agriculture Victoria’s agronomists Dale Grey, Dale Boyd and Darryl Pearl, plus Greg Toomey from Nutrien Ag Solutions. 

Listen to the webinar recording here http://bit.ly/464utW0 please use the passcode hayorgrain 

Information about available drought supports can be found at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or by calling 136 186.

Important information for small berry, melon and leafy vegetable growers  

We understand that small horticulture businesses operate differently to larger ones.  

To help, we have made sure that relevant information, resources and support are available to help you meet the requirements of the new Food Safety Standards. 

Small growers who are not within recognised food safety schemes will complete an online Food Safety Management Statement (FSMS) as part of the registration process. We have created a factsheet to help small growers understand this process.
Learn more here: FSMS Fact Sheet 

The Fresh Produce Safety Centre have created 1 page grower guides to help navigate the requirements of the standards: fpsc-anz.com/food-safety-grower-guides/  

We recognise that it may take some time to work through the necessary steps, so our team is here to help. Reach out at food.safety@agriculture.vic.gov.au  

Find more information and resources, including a factsheet on water quality testing, on our website. 

Ag Vic Talk season 10 

Embracing CaLD workers in Victoria's dairy industry, with Christine Sebire and Jenny Wilson 

Hear how Victoria's dairy industry is embracing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) workers.    

In this Farming Safe and Well episode, Jenny Wilson from the Gardiner Foundation and dairy farmer Christine Sebire share practical strategies for building culturally safe workplaces, supporting CaLD employees, and strengthening community connections.   

Listen now to learn how we can all make farming safer and more inclusive.    

Safe Food Victoria: Help shape the future of food safety

The Victorian Government is cutting red tape and making it easier to get fresh food to Victorian families with a new food safety regulator.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas recently announced the new, stronger regulator, Safe Food Victoria – designed to better protect public health and continue to give communities confidence in the safety of their food.

RIC Loans

RIC variable interest rate for farm business loans is on hold at 5.18% effective 1 August 2025 until 1 February 2026.

Farmers in tough financial times due to situations outside their control from drought, flood or other natural disasters may be eligible to apply for a RIC loan.

RIC’s AgriStarter Loan is also available for new farm businesses or succession planning to keep family farms in the family.

Farmers can restructure up to 50% of their existing debt to improve cash flow to gain some financial breathing space.

More information

Blowflies buzz off! – With rain and warmer temperatures heading into spring, sheep producers will need to keep flystrike prevention front of mind.

Managing weeds from introduced fodder sources – With many farmers purchasing more fodder than usual, it’s a timely reminder about the increased risks of introducing weeds to your property.

Come and see us at the Melbourne Show

Heading to the Melbourne Royal Show? Swing by the Livestock Pavilion and say hi! 

• We're here to talk drought and its impact on farms and communities.  

• Learn how to help protect our wildlife from avian influenza (H5N1). 

• Plus, fun for the little ones with activity packs and headbands! 

See you there!  

Find more information about available drought support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.   

Webinar: Grains biosecurity awareness – spring 2025

When: Tuesday 30 September, 9 to 10 am 
Where: online. 

As harvest time approaches, growers are looking ahead to the challenges that could affect this year’s crops. While the weather is outside your control, biosecurity is one area where you can take practical steps to protect your farm and your business.

Plant Health Australia (PHA), the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Grain Producers Australia (GPA) have partnered to deliver a new webinar series focused on biosecurity in the grains industry.

The session will cover:

• key biosecurity threats to grains for spring 2025
• simple steps you can take to reduce risk on your farm
• how biosecurity supports a strong and profitable industry
• who to contact if you see something unusual in your crops
• upcoming activities to help build industry preparedness.

Bullioh – Productivity options in agriculture to improve profitability and sustainability

Monday, 29 September from 10 am to 3 pm

Bullioh CFA shed, 7961 Murray Valley Highway, Bullioh 

Register now

This practical day will focus on a small number of high-impact levers that can help farm managers make the most of their resources. Topics will include grazing system design, improving animal fertility, optimising turn-off timing, emissions reductions and strategies to boost overall herd performance.

We’ll also explore the role of technology in decision-making, with Optiweigh representatives on hand to demonstrate equipment and share insights.

Leading the session is Cam Nicholson, a highly respected consultant in the livestock industry, who will guide participants through practical, evidence-based options to strengthen farm productivity and long-term environmental sustainability.

Topics covered:

• unlocking profitable productivity gains – explore practical strategies to increase on-farm profitability while reducing emissions and supporting long-term sustainable land management
• linking carbon and productivity – demystify carbon calculators by identifying the key productivity levers that also contribute to emissions reduction—across both livestock and mixed farming systems
• making the most of on-farm resources – understand the core drivers that improve productivity and resource efficiency, enabling smarter, more sustainable farming.
• system change for meat production and environmental impact – discover how adapting your farming system can increase kilograms of meat sold while minimising environmental impact
• technology-driven decision-making – learn how farm technology can support more informed, timely, and effective management decisions
• accessing high-value supply chains – understand how reducing emissions intensity and environmental impact can open doors to premium markets and secure supply chain opportunities
• effective herd management for resource efficiency – explore how better herd management can reduce environmental pressure, optimise input use, and support long-term farm performance.

Lunch will be provided.

Spring webinar series: Silage success

Other spring webinar series events coming soon

Hay done right – Wednesday 1 October, 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Frank Mickan is back to share his expert tips on hay production and how to make your hay even better.

Bounce back pastures – Wednesday 8 October, 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Join Andrew Speirs, senior agronomy consultant, Meridian Agriculture as he shares insights into the impact of drought and if pastures will bounce back, how individual species have coped and practical recovery strategies for post-drought success.

Webinar – Protection from farm theft 

AgVic is hosting a timely webinar on how AgTech and strong biosecurity protocols can protect your farm assets.  

Presenters include AgVic Grains Industry Officer Darryl Pearl, co-founder of AgCloud Grant Sutton, and a representative from Victoria Police Farm Crime Liaison Group.  

 The webinar will cover:   

• farm theft trends, Victoria Police   

• physical security solutions, Grant Sutton  

• biosecurity and safety, Darryl Pearl  

• question and answer session.   

Whether you're looking to make informed decisions or future-proof your farm operations, this session offers practical insights and tools to support your journey in protecting what matters.   

When: Tuesday, 7 October, from  12 – 1 pm  

For more information contact Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711 or at Darryl.Pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au   

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar.  

The session will be recorded for those who register but are unable to attend.  

Elmore Field Days – Hope to see you there

If you are planning on visiting the Elmore Field Days, then drop in and have a chat! There will be agronomists and biosecurity staff to answer your questions, plus plenty of info to assist with drought support. Hope to see you there!  

For info on Elmore Field Days 7th, 8th & 9th October 2025 - Elmore Field Days 

Yarrawonga – Farm office and Xero efficiencies workshop

Delivered by Carmen Quade from AgriFocused, a small rural-based training and
business specialising in the Agribusiness industry.

Sebel Yarrawonga, Wednesday 22 October from 9 am - 3 pm

In these workshops we look at strategies, tools and tips to speed up the office work
and specifically address how best to use Xero in a farm business.

The Xero component of the workshop will be hands-on, with participants
encouraged to bring a laptop and try out the suggestions in their own set of books
or in the demo mode.

Limited spots, only 20 participants per workshop. Babies welcome, course hours within school drop off and pick up.

Cost - Riverine Plains members: $100, non Riverine Plains members: $150
(plus GST and platform fees), includes course fee, morning tea, lunch, tea and coffee.

For more information or to register to go Farm Office and Xero Efficiencies Workshop Yarrawonga

Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success

Want to build a stronger, more productive and effective farm business management strategy?

This 2-day workshop led by Gavin Beever will examine aspects that help make an effective farm business strategy. 

Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October, from 8.30 for 9 am sharp start – 3 pm, lunch and snacks provided.

Topics:

• succession planning
• financials
• farm resources
• human relationships
• setting business goals
• climate risk and natural resource management
• latest in AgTech
• tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go.

 Presenters:

• Gavin Beever, Principal Consultant, Cumbre Consultants
• Dale Grey, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist
• Brendan Williams, Managing Director Autonomous Ag.

Location: Powlett Plains and District Community Centre 1243 Wedderburn, Serpentine Road, Powlett Plains

For more information, contact either Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024, roger.harrower@agriculture.vic.gov.au or Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711, darryl.pearl@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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