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Thursday 19 March 2026
Got root knot nematodes in your horticulture crops?
Agriculture Victoria is offering free assessments of fruit and vegetable samples for guava root knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) to horticulture producers in an effort to rule out the presence of this highly pathogenic nematode species in Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Diagnostician Chantelle Girgan said guava root knot nematode (GRKN), a plant-parasitic roundworm, is a concern for horticulture producers because of its rapid spread globally.
Do you have a plan for your farming future?
Gippsland landholders are invited to a workshop series designed to build on current management practices and support planning for future improvements.
Participants will meet every Tuesday in May to look at their:
- Farm layout
- Setting current and future goals
- Soils and land classing
- Soil fertility and nutrient budgeting
- Grazing and feed management
- Farm water supply planning
A free laminated property map will be provided as part of the course.
The workshops will be held at Gippsland Ag Centre, Bengworden on 5, 12, 19 and 26 May.
Each session will run from 9.30 am to 3pm, with morning tea and lunch provided.
Come say hi to the Ag Vic team at Farm World - Lardner Park, 26 – 28 March!
Drop past site 540, we’re sharing a space with the Trees on Farms team.
Information will be available about:
- the Trees on Farms program
- drought support
- farm biosecurity
- on-farm emissions, climate resilience and recovery
- and more.
For drought support, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought
For bushfire support, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires
For Trees on Farms information, visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/plantations-and-farm-forestry/trees-on-farms
Funding for pest management
Victorian farmers will be better able to protect their land with targeted pest management funding.
The recently opened final round of the Partnerships Against Pests program will help farmers protect their crops, and livestock pasture from invasive pests, and improve the long-term health of their land.
Applicants can apply for grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 to deliver projects over a 12-month period.
Landcare Grant applications now open
Applications are now open for Landcare Grants to help fund projects making a difference to enhance and protect Victoria’s great outdoors.
Landcare and environmental volunteer groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 for projects and $500 for support.
Applications close on 23 April 2026.
Gippsland Irrigation Expo set to make a splash
The Gippsland Irrigation Expo is back for the first time since 2020.
Hosted by Agriculture Victoria, the Expo will return to the Sale Showgrounds on Wednesday 20 May, bringing the latest in irrigation technology, practical demonstrations and expert speakers.
Agriculture Victoria Irrigation Extension Officer Caelan McIntosh said the free event aims to connect farmers, industry experts, and technology providers to share knowledge and explore new ways to improve water efficiency and farm productivity,
‘It’s a great opportunity for our region to showcase innovation in irrigation and highlight how sustainable water management supports the future of Gippsland agriculture.’ he said.
Respected Gippsland dairy farmer Graeme Anderson, a longtime advocate for irrigation development in the district, said events like the Expo play an essential role in keeping the community connected and informed.
‘We should always try to work as an irrigation community. Bringing everyone together means we can share the best knowledge that’s available,’ he said.
Victorian Fox Bounty resumes
The Victorian Fox Bounty resumes this week.
The bounty is currently funded to 30 June 2026 and reward payments remain at the increased rate of $14 per fox scalp.
To streamline the application process and ensure prompt electronic payment, participants are encouraged to create an online bounty account. Please note that cheque payments are no longer accepted.
The 2026 collection schedule across the state can be viewed on our website.
Equine herpesvirus is active in the region
Agriculture Victoria has investigated reports from properties in Gippsland, of horses displaying fever, respiratory signs, and mouth ulcers.
Initial testing has ruled out exotic diseases and shown that the common equine herpesvirus (EHV-4) is active in the region.
EHV-4 is widespread and causes respiratory disease in horses. Clinical disease is usually mild, and most horses recover with rest and supportive care.
This is a timely reminder for horse owners to review their biosecurity plans and contact their vet if they have sick horses.
Also, please check your horses are healthy and fit for travel before going to events with other horses.
If you suspect an emergency animal disease, contact your vet or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
Farm Drought Support Grants
Use a Farm Drought Support Grant to make on-farm infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as grain feeders, troughs, pasture restoration, stock containment areas, and more.
$5,000 as a co-contribution grant is available statewide.
Farmers from across the state have access to two Farm Advisory Service one-on-one consultations with a technical specialist.
Specialist consultants include agronomists, veterinarians, animal nutritionists, business advisors and farm planners, with expertise across dairy, beef, sheep and wool, horticulture and cropping.
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line, providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across Gippsland.
Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:
✔ managing stress
✔ building resilience for tough times
✔ balancing work and life with practical tools
✔ getting support for big decisions and life changes
To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 045 747.
Find out more at: www.nexsolutions.org.au
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Government has announced measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
If you need help working through what support you can get or how to apply, the Rural Financial Counselling Service is available at Home - Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria - Gippsland
Plan to Be Resilient
When/Where: 25 March (Benambra) 26 March (Orbost) 31 March (Bairnsdale) - all sessions 10am to 1pm (light lunch provided).
Delivered by NEX Business Farming Wellness with support from Agriculture Victoria’s Drought Support Program, the Plan to Be Resilient workshops provide access to structured business planning support at no cost to participants.
Plan to Be Resilient is a practical, hands-on workshop designed for farmers and small agri-business operators who are often time poor but know that taking time to plan is critical.
The session is grounded in real regional scenarios and designed for practical application within working farm businesses.
Participants leave with a structured workbook and practical strategies that can be used immediately and revisited as conditions change.
Secure your place via the online registration form or by phoning 1300 045 747.
Pastures and soils seminar
When: Friday 20 March, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Main Ridge CFA, 431 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge
VFF Peninsula Branch will host a seminar on pastures and soils next week.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Fiona Baker will speak on:
- Pasture management – how grass grows, what influences its persistence, how to decide when stock should go in and come out
- Pasture pests (as they are a big influence on pasture performance) like RLEM, lucerne flea, red & black cockchafers
- Nutrients as drivers of pasture growth
Free admission. Non-members welcome. BBQ Lunch provided.
Carbon farming: know your number
When: Tuesday 24 March, 10 am – 2.30 pm
Where: West Gippsland CMA office, corner Bair and Young Streets, Leongatha
Join Nick Dudley, a South Gippsland agricultural advisor, farmer and carbon expert, for a practical workshop designed to help you understand and estimate your farm's carbon footprint.
Bring your laptop, or you can borrow one on the day, and learn how to use an online carbon calculator.
Learn what the numbers mean for your business and discover opportunities to improve productivity while reducing emissions.
Lunch will be provided. Please register to RSVP.
Goat essentials workshop - Healesville
When: Friday 1 May, 1:30 pm – 5 pm
Where: Healesville - location sent out closer to event
This hands-on workshop will cover practical goat husbandry, including vaccinations, faecal egg counts, general bio-security and body condition scoring.
It will also explore electric fence options for goat grazing and containment.
Afternoon tea is provided.
Plant and soil health workshop
When: Thursday 26 March (2:30 pm – 5 pm)
Where: Fresh Select, 610 Duncans Rd, Werribee South
Victorian vegetable growers are invited to a practical workshop at Fresh Select with international soil expert Joel Williams from Integrated Soils.
Learn about plant and soil health in vegetables, including managing sodium/salts, and high chloride irrigation water.
Participate in a paddock walk featuring a brix meter/refractometer demonstration and a visual soil health assessment.
Afternoon tea provided
Best Wool/Best Lamb and Better Beef conferences
When: 23 – 24 June
Where: The Goods Shed, Ballarat
After last year’s successful roadshow, the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences return to Ballarat.
There’ll be two full days of insights, innovations and practical take home messages for sheep and cattle producers across Victoria – and a combined industry dinner at the end of day 1.
Pop it in your diary now for June.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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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