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Thursday 9 April 2026
Cool weather still driving hay fire danger
Cooler conditions across Victoria may suggest reduced haystack fire risk, but moist hay continues to heat internally and remains a significant hazard.
Producers are urged to maintain regular monitoring of baled and stacked hay, as no current technology reliably tracks internal hay temperatures.
Dairy Extension Officer, Michele Jolliffe said the real danger in hay is what you can’t see, so regular checks remain the strongest protection against fire.
‘Simple actions like testing temperatures and watching for warning signs can prevent a heating haystack from becoming a dangerous ignition,’ said Ms Jolliffe.
Surveillance for significant animal diseases in Victoria
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
Victoria is fortunate to be free of most of the serious diseases that affect animals in other parts of the world.
Despite this, continuous surveillance is crucial to enable early detection of animal diseases that could affect trade, regional or national productivity, animal welfare, public health or biodiversity.
The Victorian Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) Program aims to improve Victoria’s ability to identify significant diseases in livestock and wildlife by boosting veterinary practitioner involvement and subsidising investigation costs.
Subsidies are available from Agriculture Victoria for the initial field investigation, including clinical and post-mortem evaluation, laboratory testing and a follow-up investigation of significant disease events in livestock and wildlife. Livestock includes ruminants, horses, pigs and poultry.
A south-west drone spraying business was convicted and fined $15,000 in the Colac Magistrates’ Court recently, as a result of charges being served relating to spray drift from aerial spraying via a drone.
Agriculture Victoria Manager of Regulatory Operations, Daniel Bode said remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) technology was becoming an increasingly important part of chemical users’ toolkits.
‘As use of these chemical application technologies increase, it’s important for people to understand they carry similar risks to other application methods.
‘The regulatory frameworks that are in place, including licencing requirements and restrictions on when and how these sprayers can be used, are there to help operators manage that risk,’ he said.
Magistrate Bryant stressed that where modern technology such as drone spraying is used, wind speed must be very closely monitored and that readings must account for complex terrain.
A reminder that applications for the 2026 Livestock Biosecurity Fund Grant Program close on Tuesday 14 April 2026.
Funding is available for projects that help prevent, monitor and control animal diseases – supporting better animal health and ensuring strong biosecurity.
New faces for climate action
New leadership and new members have been appointed to the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council to help the state’s agriculture sector prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
Since it was established in November 2020, the council has supported the Victorian Government’s commitment to deliver strong and lasting action on climate change in partnership with the agriculture sector.
Jack Holden will serve as the council’s new chairperson, with Catherine Jenkins appointed the new deputy chair, following the open, competitive recruitment process for the council’s new term.
Mr Holden brings strong vision, relationships and future focus with his experience working in government, consulting and industry, including as General Manager of Sustainability for Global Markets at Fonterra Group and his current role as Managing Director of Ridge Road Advisory.
Drought Hardship Loans
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support information can be found here: drought.gov.au
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.
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 2 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
Maximising livestock profitability and herd performance
When: Thursday 16 April. 9:30 am –1:00 pm
Where: 47 McCartin Street, Leongatha
Discover practical, evidence‑based strategies to boost farm profitability through smarter livestock and pasture management in South Gippsland.
Join Mackinnon Project specialists John Webb Ware, Ben Ashton, Leah Tyrell and Georgie Champion de Crespigny as they share insights on:
- Self‑replacing vs trading beef and lamb systems to identify the most profitable system.
- Optimal calving timing for weaner and feeder production systems, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Hear the latest MLA PDS update on cattle gastrointestinal worms and liver fluke resistance, presenting practical biosecurity measures to prevent farm introduction.
- Optimising lamb reproductive performance and implementing best-practice heifer management strategies to strengthen herd fertility and structure.
- A cost-benefit analysis of fertiliser application amid rising fertiliser costs to enable informed investment decisions.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
This event is being delivered by Mackinnon Project - University of Melbourne on behalf of Agriculture Victora as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package.
Feed test results from conserved fodder
When: Friday 17 April. 10 am – 1.30 pm
Where: Poowong Football & Netball Clubrooms, Drouin-Poowong Road, Poowong
Gippsland farmers spend significant amounts of money on conserving hay and silage each year.
Farmers from the WPCLN sustainable Farming Discussion Group, Buffalo Better Beef Group, and Warragul Beefcheque group have recently taken 70 hay and silage samples and sent them to FeedTest.
Hear Fiona Baker talk about:
- the nutritional content of the 70 samples
- how livestock will perform when fed this fodder
- what to do if the fodder doesn’t meet livestock requirements.
Samples of the hay and silage sampled will be displayed for comparison.
All farmers welcome - catch up with other farmers, learn what the results mean for your livestock, and have a yummy meal together.
RSVP by 14 April.
This event is supported by Agriculture Victoria’s Drought Support Package.
South Gippsland Biodiversity Forum
When: Thursday 23 April. 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Leongatha Memorial Hall, 6-8 McCartin St, Leongatha
South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) is excited to announce the date for the inaugural South Gippsland Biodiversity Forum.
There is so much happening locally to protect our wildlife and native flora, from collaborative projects such as the Biodiversity Protection Plan and the Biolinks Map (currently being developed), through to on-ground activities.
SGLN will be sharing good news stories about the efforts and achievements of farmers, community members, local groups and organisations.
There will also be guest speakers and a panel discussion featuring participating partners, tackling the big questions about how we can work together to increase biodiversity in South Gippsland.
Attendees will also have the chance to share ideas about who else can get involved and to connect with others who share similar interests over a delicious free lunch.
Decisions that drive success
When: Tuesday 21 April. 8:45 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Bellevue on the Lakes, 201 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance
A powerful and practical 1-Day Group Workshop that equips participants to make the decisions necessary to navigate their farm business through critical seasonal challenges, change and crisis.
When: Wednesday 22 April. 5.30 – 7.30 pm
Where: Rosedale Pub, 29 Lyons Street, Rosedale
New to irrigation? Getting back into it? Want to get ahead of dry conditions? Whether you call yourself an irrigator or not - if you use water on your property to increase production and want to improve how you manage it, this night is for you.
Chat with local farmers, SRW, Agriculture Victoria and the WGCMA about:
- using water efficiently
- planning or upgrading irrigation
- rules, compliance and what to avoid
- incentives programs available now
Food will be provided, but the purchase of alcoholic beverages is on the onus of the individual.
For more information, please get in touch with Steph Veskoukis (Agriculture Victoria) at 0477 924 286 or
Jo Rule (WGCMA) at 0457 115 140.
Please register your attendance before the 20th of April.
Do you have a plan for your farming future?
When: 5, 12, 19 and 26 May. 9:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Gippsland Ag Centre, Bengworden
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.
Morning tea and lunch provided.
Succession Planning Roadshow
When: Tuesday 12 May, 10 am – 1 pm
Where: South Gippsland Shire Council Chambers: Meeting Room 1, 1 Michael Place, Leongatha
Learn how a facilitated approach can protect both your farm and your family's future. Delivered by Karen Jones and Marshall Scott from NEX Business Farming Wellness with support from Agriculture Victoria's Drought Support Program at no cost to participants.
this event is free, with tea, coffee and a light meal provided.
Topics include
- Paths to consider
- Why Succession Planning matters
- How to start the journey
- Retirement and transition
- What does a plan look like?
- Practical takeaways
Planning for the Seasons Ahead
When: Friday, 15 May. 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Wonthaggi (address upon registration)
A practical workshop helping farmers plan feed, water, finances to make confident decisions in changing conditions.
Join us for the Planning for the Seasons Ahead workshop, delivered in partnership with Bass Coast Landcare Network our event partner.
This practical, on-farm workshop is designed to support farmers to make confident, informed decisions in challenging seasonal conditions. The day will begin with a presentation from Leigh and Liz Crocker (Ion Group), followed by lunch, and then a session with Fiona Baker (Agriculture Victoria).
Topics will include feed and water budgeting, financial planning, and identifying key management triggers to help plan for the months ahead.
Lunch is provided, and registrations are essential.
Please bring a chair and a mug for the day.
Goat essentials workshop - Healesville
When: Friday 1 May, 1:30 – 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.
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 returns to Ballarat.
There’ll be 2 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.
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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