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Thursday 20 August 2026
H5 bird flu update
From 20 August, bird flu reporting in Victoria has changed to align with the national reporting framework.
We now report H5 bird flu events, rather than individual detections. The new number of positive events captures all previously reported individual confirmed detections.
You can explore confirmed events on our interactive map.
H5 bird flu has not been detected in poultry and has not become established in any part of Australia.
If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. Avoid direct contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or using the form below.
For updates, visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu and follow Agriculture Victoria on Facebook.
For more information about the situation across Australia, visit Bird flu.
Celebrating National Science Week
Ever wondered where scientists go to identify a mystery insect?
At AgriBio, the Victorian Agricultural Invertebrate Collection holds thousands of preserved insect and invertebrate specimens collected over many decades.
The collection is maintained by entomologists and biosecurity specialists who use it to identify pests and help protect Victoria's agriculture from new biosecurity threats.
Every specimen tells a story. Together, they provide a record of how insect populations, pests and beneficial species have changed over time.
As we celebrate National Science Week, we're shining a light on the collections and scientific expertise that help protect Victoria's farms, food supply and environment.
25 years of genomics driving smarter farming worldwide
Victoria is marking 25 years since a landmark international study co-authored by Victorian scientists helped establish genomic selection as a powerful tool used around the world to improve how farmers breed healthier animals and grow better crops.
Agriculture Victoria Head Agriculture Science and Technology Simone Warner said the 2001 research provided the foundations for a method that has changed how breeders make decisions.
'This work has shaped breeding programs around the world, delivering industry benefits since 2016, with even greater gains projected according to DataGene analysis, and reflects the long-term contribution of Victorian scientists to global agricultural research.
Workshops to help succession planning conversations
Farming families are invited to learn how to start succession planning conversations by attending a free 1-day succession planning workshops in Yarck and Corryong in September.
Agriculture Victoria’s Agriculture Recovery Officer Helen Chenoweth, said succession planning involves more than deciding who will take over the farm.
'It includes managing family relationships, ensuring business continuity, creating and protecting wealth, defining future roles for farming and non-farming family members, and preserving the family’s legacy,' Mrs Chenoweth said.
'For many farming families, a farm is more than a business – it’s a legacy built through years of hard work, family history, and shared memories across generations – and planning for its future can be complex.
Future proof your farm business
Farmers from the Wimmera and southern Mallee are encouraged to attend a two-day workshop in early September to develop practical strategies to prepare their farm business for the future.
Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Grains, Felicity Pritchard said consultant Dr Kate Burke’s evidence-based approach will help participants develop a plan for their farm’s success.
‘Dr Burke brings a wealth of experience in broadacre and mixed farming, crop agronomy, succession planning and farm business management.
‘Farmers can learn valuable approaches to manage their business, particularly in the current challenging conditions and into the future.
‘Past participants have given excellent reviews and appreciated the time away from the farm to focus on the bigger picture,’ she said.
Fire season farm preparedness webinar
Victorian farmers and rural landholders are invited to attend a webinar on Wednesday 2 September at 7 pm to help prepare for the upcoming fire season.
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer Kylie Macreadie said managing the risk of bushfire on your farm is essential.
‘Whether you are a livestock producer, equine property owner, small landholder, hobby farmer or new to farming planning now for the fire season can help reduce stress and ensure your people, property, animals and business are prepared.
Free Mental Health First Aid® Training
Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) equips participants with the skills and confidence to recognise and respond when someone may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, provide initial support, and guide them towards appropriate professional help.
Upcoming free courses
Walwa, Victoria
7 to 8 September 2026Lake Bolac, Victoria
14 to 15 September 2026Woomelang, Victoria
21 to 22 September 2026
Course format: 2 days (12 hours)
These free training opportunities are supported through Look Over The Farm Gate grants provided by Agriculture Victoria under the Victorian Government's 2025 Drought Support Package.
Register your interest today.
Victoria's Biosecurity Reference Group applications close Sunday
Biosecurity helps protect Victoria's farms, environment and communities.
Applications are now open for the third term of Victoria's Biosecurity Reference Group.
We're looking for people from across Victoria to help shape how we manage biosecurity risks into the future. You don't need previous board experience. We're interested in people who can share their knowledge, experience and perspectives.
As a member, you'll help:
- provide advice on biosecurity priorities and challenges
- contribute to policy and program development
- work with industry, communities and government to influence collective action across Victoria's biosecurity system
- champion biosecurity within your sector, region or community.
We encourage applications from people with experience in agriculture, environment, research, supply chains and community organisations. Applications from First Nations people are strongly encouraged.
Applications close: 23 August at 11:59 pm.
Strengthening biosecurity legislation in Victoria
Agriculture Victoria has released a summary of community and stakeholder feedback on proposed reforms to strengthen Victoria's biosecurity legislation.
Feedback showed strong support for a shared responsibility approach to managing biosecurity risks and improving livestock PIC data to support traceability and emergency response. The summary also highlights the importance of practical guidance, education and clear expectations to support implementation.
For more information, please contact animal.biosecurity@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Prepare now for spring plague locust hatchings
The risk of plague locusts has increased across Victoria due to favourable autumn and winter conditions, more egg laying, and high locust numbers in New South Wales and South Australia. Egg hatching is expected to occur sooner than originally predicted.
Mallee: moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from mid-September.
Wimmera: low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from late September.
Now is the time to prepare:
• check paddocks, roadsides and bare or lightly grassed areas for egg beds
• learn what young locusts look like
• get your chemical and management plans ready.
Spraying is most effective about 2 weeks after hatching, when young locusts can’t fly and start to band together.
See locusts? Report them to us. Early reporting helps track locust movements and supports timely management responses.
Agricultural and pastoral society grants now open
The Victorian Government is backing agricultural and pastoral societies to help regional communities come together, support local economies and promote Victorian agriculture.
Minister Settle recently announced the opening of applications for this year’s Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program.
The grants provide successful applicants with up to $10,000.
This can be used to upgrade or build new facilities for community use and showcase project delivery that celebrates Victoria’s agricultural communities, industries and produce.
Biosecurity = Food security
From paddock to plate, every meal starts with preparedness, prevention and protection.
By working together to detect and respond to animal disease threats early, we all help to protect the livestock industries that feed Australia.
In #BioWeekAU, take a moment to learn how preparedness strengthens Australia’s resilience and helps safeguard our food supply.
When it comes to biosecurity, being prepared today helps protect tomorrow’s herds and flocks
Bushfire recovery grants and concessional loans
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income.
Grants applications close 4 pm, 21 October.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Significant Disease Investigation program research
Agriculture Victoria is undertaking an evaluation, from a producer’s perspective, of the Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) program.
The program provides subsidies to private veterinarians to undertake comprehensive investigations of significant disease events. It also provides subsidies to livestock producers when they engage a private veterinarian to investigate a disease outbreak.
This program ultimately enhances Victoria’s ability to detect and to respond to suspect emergency animal diseases and subsequently helps to boost Australia’s overall surveillance capacity.
The aim of the research is to understand how the SDI program can best support producers, as well as deliver the desired animal disease surveillance outcomes.
Feedback from cattle producers who have used the program will help to shape future improvements.
If you have participated in the SDI program and would like to share your experience, please contact Will Daniel from Verian Research on will.daniel@veriangroup.com
Participants will receive a $150 e-gift card for sharing your thoughts with Verian via a one-on-one conversation.
Support before, during and after drought with RIC loans
Wherever you are in the drought cycle, a RIC Drought Loan can improve cash flow to help eligible farm businesses manage through, recover and prepare when faced with drought.
Or if you’re in prolonged drought that has affected your financials for 2 years or more, and you expect the impact to continue, you may be eligible for a RIC Drought Hardship Loan to pay for operating costs, with no repayments for the first 2 years of the 5-year loan. Interest is deferred in this time to be repaid with principal and interest from year 3.
In case you missed it...
What's On
Recovering stronger workshop
When: Sunday 23 August, 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Bullioh Hall
Recovering Stronger is a free workshop for community members, farmers, business owners and volunteers to learn practical strategies for managing prolonged stress and supporting recovery after challenges such as fire or drought.
Delivered by Cynthia Mahoney on behalf of Agriculture Victoria, the workshop will explore how stress affects the brain and body, and provide evidence-based tools to improve wellbeing, clear thinking, relationships and confidence.
The workshop is supported through the Victorian Government's statewide Drought Support Package and funding from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
Managing rabbits in Chiltern – info session
When: Sunday 23 August, 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Chiltern Senior Citizens Hall, Conness Street, Chiltern
Cost: $5 per person
Chiltern Landcare Group invites locals to attend an engaging workshop on run by the Victorian Rabbit Action Network.
This interactive information session will involve an introduction to rabbit biology and ecology, and an overview of best practice rabbit management for peri-urban environments.
The information session will be followed by a ‘township walk’ where a number of properties will be visited with a discussion around the different advice and strategies needed for these properties.
Buying livestock with confidence
When: Friday 28 August, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Yea Saleyards
Join VFF Stock Sense at Yea Saleyards for a free practical workshop designed to help small landholders buy cattle, sheep or goats with confidence.
A stock agent/saleyard representative will cover choosing livestock to suit your property and experience level and what to consider when buying through saleyards, private sales or online platforms.
An Agriculture Victoria representative will also cover key PIC, NLIS, traceability and biosecurity requirements to help you bring new livestock home safely and avoid common compliance mistakes.
Disease Management Extension Network workshop – Mildura
When: Thursday 3 September, 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Mildura Golf Resort, 287 Twelfth Street, Mildura
Cost: $120
As fungicide resistance continues to emerge across southern Australian cropping systems, growers and advisers are being encouraged to strengthen their disease management strategies through a new series of Disease Management Extension Network (DMEN) workshops.
Farm Fire Preparedness webinar
When: Wednesday 2 September, 7–8:15 pm
Where: online
Are you a new property owner, manage livestock, or want to improve your farm fire preparation? Preparing for bushfire season is essential for all farmers and landholders.
Join Agriculture Victoria's farm fire preparedness webinar. Hear from Kylie Macreadie who will share practical steps, tools, and templates to help you identify risks and develop a farm fire plan.
You'll hear firsthand from a landholder about their experience of fire events, including preparedness, putting plans into action, and recovery afterwards. Gain valuable insights to help prepare your people, property and livestock.
WorkSafe Noise basics workshop
When: Thursday 3 September, 9 am – 12 noon, Wednesday 9 September, 1–4 pm
Where: online
Noise Basics is a free education program helping Victorian employers who manage occupational health and safety (OHS) in small to medium businesses. Get practical tools to prevent noise-related injuries, improve safety and support a more productive workplace.
Future-proof your family farm business – Hopetoun
When: 3–4 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Hopetoun Golf Club, Hopetoun-Rainbow Road, Hopetoun
Hopetoun farmers are invited to a free 2-day workshop.
Learn practical planning skills to help prepare your farm business for the future. Build strategies to manage climate risk, strengthen resilience and create a more adaptable business.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke is an independent farm consultant, agri-strategist and educator. Kate has extensive experience in farm business management and works with farming families and businesses across a range of areas.
Farm Office Efficiencies Workshops
When: Tuesday 8 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Huntly Memorial Hall
When: Wednesday 9 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Serpentine Memorial Hall, Function Room, 20 Chapel Street, Serpentine
When: Thursday 10 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: CohunaCo, Flexi Room, 38 Channel Street, Cohuna
Want to make your farm office run more smoothly?
Join us in Huntly, Serpentine or Cohuna to learn practical strategies for:
- Accounting software
- Batch payments and reconciliation
- Hubdoc and Dext
- Managing receipts and records
- Cloud storage and digital filing
- Inventory tracking and reporting.
Presented by Carmen Quade from AgriFocused.
Limited to 25 participants per workshop. Lunch and morning tea provided.
For enquiries contact Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711 or darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au
BCG’s Main Field Day 2026
When: Wednesday 9 September, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Where: Main Research Site at Birchip
Succession planning
When: Thursday 17 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Corryong Events Centre, 54 Strzelecki Way, Corryong
When: Friday 18 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Yarck Hall, 6583 Maroondah Highway, Yarck
Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.
Presented by Dr Kate Burke, an independent consultant with extensive experience in coaching and facilitating farm business strategy.
GRDC events
Visit the GRDC events page for upcoming events.
- 3 September Disease Management Extension Network workshop – Mildura
- 3 September FAR Australia NE VIC (Yarrawonga) Spring Field Walk
- 16 September GRDC Harvest Set up Workshop – Terrick Terrick
- 17 September GRDC Harvest Set up Workshop – Ultima
- 18 September GRDC Harvest Set up Workshop – Bridgewater
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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