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Thursday 24 April 2025
Drought support for south west farmers
Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Bushfire recovery support
If your business or industry has been impacted by the 2024-25 bushfires in western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery.
Upcoming supports include:
- Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
- Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.
These programs are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
Visit the Business Victoria website for more information.
Autumn pasture reminders
Michele Jolliffe, Agriculture Victoria, Hamilton
Autumn is a key time to rebuild perennial ryegrass density and set up pasture production for the year. The dry summer will have weakened individual plants, and some will die despite good management.
By following a few simple tactics, it will be possible to maintain and, in most cases, improve your perennial ryegrass pasture performance into the future.
Avoid headaches – regularly inspect your dam
Regular inspection, monitoring and maintenance of your gully dams can reduce the risk of ‘failure’ such as leaks and bank collapses.
Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels said stock damage, soil erosion, siltation and excessive vegetation growth can all contribute to the gradual deterioration of farm dams.
Helping more cats and dogs find their furever home
The Victorian Government is helping Victorian pet rescue and rehoming groups find homes for vulnerable pets through the latest round of the Individual Pet Rehoming Grants.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced that a further $1.27 million has been awarded to organisations that provides vital rehoming services for cats and dogs.
Make decisions on your livestock – and stick to it
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
It is vital that producers assess their livestock situation now and actively plan for the welfare of animals as we wait for the autumn break.
Livestock may start experiencing the effects of the shortfall of paddock feed. Furthermore, water availability has become a critical issue on many properties.
To ensure livestock make it through this period, some timely decisions need to be made.
Producers need to examine their options carefully and ask themselves questions such as:
- have I got enough supplementary feed on hand?
- if not, will I be able to source it at a reasonable price?
- will I need to cart water? How much? And from where?
- is agistment an option, what is the cost and how far will my stock have to travel?
- do I need to sell some stock now?
Decisions need to be made carefully. A well-constructed plan is a
valuable tool in assisting with the decision-making process.
By using a timeline with details such as ‘if it has not rained by x date, I need to sell x number of head’, often eases the pressure on producers and their livestock.
Livestock owners have a legislative responsibility for the welfare of their animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
For further information please visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Plus you can contact your local veterinarian, local stock agent or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer on 136 186
2025 cereal and pulse disease guides now available
Grain growers keen to review their disease management plans for winter crops this season can refer to Agriculture Victoria’s newly released 2025 disease guides for the latest information.
Supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the updated guides rank varieties for disease susceptibility and provide advice on reducing disease risk. The guides are relevant for both new and commonly grown grains such as wheat, barley, oats, lentil, field pea, faba bean and chickpea.
First Nations knowledge to shape future farmers
Agriculture Victoria is supporting opportunities to embed Aboriginal traditional knowledge and practices into agricultural training to recognise First Nations peoples’ connection to agriculture.
The garinga djimbayang Grant Program supports partnerships between Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and TAFEs to integrate First Nations’ knowledge and practices into the design and delivery of accredited agriculture training.
Working towards a safer future for farming families
Fourth-generation Wimmera farmer Scott Arnold knows that safety improvements can have a big impact – not only on productivity but on peace of mind.
Drought resilience scholarship opportunity –2025 scholarships now open
The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is committed to building capacity that enhances the future resilience of farmers and regional communities. The Vic Hub is offering 5 awards of $2,000 each to support aspiring research students in the delivery of their research.
The awards are open to students conducting research as part of Honours or post-graduate study. Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Online Farm Business Program
Achieve your business goals, build on your skills and strengthen your farm for the future – join our upcoming online farm business course.
Delivered over 6 weeks, this course is run in collaboration with Rural People Co. and open to livestock, grains, mixed farmers, horticulturalists and apiarists.
Join us on Wednesdays from 7 pm.
- Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals - Wednesday, 7 May
- Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making - Wednesday, 14 May
- Module 3: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety - Wednesday, 21 May
- Module 4: Climate risk and natural resource management - Wednesday, 28 May
- Module 5: Business planning - Wednesday, 11 June.
Talk the Talk Workshop - Moonambel and Raglan
Talk the Talk is a free, practical workshop designed to help local communities build confidence to support farmers facing mental health challenges. In the three-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to recognise signs of distress, use observation and listening skills, and start meaningful conversations. Whether you’re a service provider, supplier or neighbour — this workshop gives you the tools to make a difference.
Raglan: 12 - 3:30 pm, Raglan Hall 4 Codrington Street
Moonambel: 6 - 9:30 pm, Moonambel Recreation Reserve, 6190 Stawell-Avoca Road.
2025 Mildura Field Days
When: Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May
Where: Mildura Racecourse, 53 Racecourse Road, Nichols Point
The Mildura Field Days is where agriculture and community unite, and is so much more than a place to keep up with technology and new farming concepts. It is about families having time out, time off and coming together to enjoy a day out experiencing a wonderful showcase of products, services and free entertainment.
- $10 per person
- Aged Concession $5
- Students and Children Under 18 - free
BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb Network Roadshow
Agriculture Victoria’s BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb network are hitting the road!
The 2025 Beef and Sheep Network Roadshow will bring top industry experts to four locations across Victoria, delivering the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.
When: Wednesday 28 May
Where: Edenhope and District Community Centre
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool
When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Ultima
When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Recreation Reserve (Ultima Football Club Rooms), Culgoa - Ultima Road, Ultima
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Great Western Low Emissions Farming with Cam Nicholson
When: Monday 14 July, 2 to 6 pm
Where: Great Western Hall, 103 Main Street, Great Western
Topics include:
- Productivity benefits to farm business
- External factors driving the need to track farm emissions
- Carbon neutrality vs carbon intensity
- Best calculators to use to determine farm emissions
- Farm data required to calculate emissions
- What solutions will become available to the livestock and grains industry to help lower emissions in the future?
Emissions in agriculture: Opportunities and risks with Cam Nicholson
When: Tuesday 15 July, 1 to 5 pm
Where: Taylors Lake Hall, 2032 Horsham–Lubek Road, St Helens Plains
Topics include:
- Productivity benefits to farm business
- External factors driving the need to track farm emissions
- Carbon neutrality vs carbon intensity
- Best calculators to use to determine farm emissions
- Farm data required to calculate emissions
- What solutions will become available to the livestock and grains industry to help lower emissions in the future?
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – St Arnaud
When: Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/events
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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