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Thursday 4 September 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.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Find more information about the Victorian Government’s drought support at: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
CMA Drought Employment Program
Farmers, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by the ongoing drought conditions in the south west can now apply to be part of the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program.
The program will be available for farmers or farm-dependent workers from 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in south west Victoria including Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong and southern parts of West Wimmera.
Eligible local farmers and farm workers can now express interest in being part of the program ahead of a recruitment process via www.ccma.vic.gov.au (Corangamite CMA region) or www.ghcma.vic.gov.au (Glenelg Hopkins CMA region).
One-on-one farm advisory service
All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist.
The advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to help farmers take stock and develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is suited to your situation, from a consultant that you nominate from the registered panel.
Agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists and farm business advisors, can support you with:
- feed and water budgeting
- farm safety and workload management
- farm business and financial management
- soil health and pasture re-establishment
- animal health and welfare, and more.
For more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Crackdown on exotic animal trade progresses
Image: Female common snapping turtle
Agriculture Victoria is continuing its crackdown on the illegal network trading in exotic pest animals, with a series of investigations across the state.
A man seeking to breed chameleons has been convicted of 2 counts of keeping a controlled pest animal.
The south-east Melbourne man was found to be seeking to purchase a male chameleon to breed with his female chameleon.
On 3 December 2024, officers executed a search warrant at his residence. Officers identified and seized one green iguana and a mobile phone. As a result of the evidence gathered, he was convicted and fined $10,000.
Should either a chameleon or an iguana escape or be released into the wild, they pose significant threats to the Australian ecosystem. Breeding either of these species would increase that threat.
Prevention is key – vaccinate against enterotoxaemia
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
If you keep a calendar with key farm management dates, ‘vaccinate stock’ could be a key entry at this time of year. But why, it’s an annual vaccination after all, isn’t it?
Firstly, with abundant spring growth, losses due to enterotoxaemia, also known as pulpy kidney, become a distinct possibility.
Second, a feature of the enterotoxaemia vaccine is the duration of immunity it provides may be quite short. It may only give 3 or 4 months of protection. Therefore, a booster dose should be given before a high-risk period, i.e. before the beginning of spring.
Young stock in good condition, up to 2 years of age, are most affected by enterotoxaemia; however, deaths in older stock may also occur. Enterotoxaemia is caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria, which is found in the bowel of normal, healthy cattle and sheep.
Enterotoxaemia occurs when a large amount of readily fermentable feed is present in the gut, leading to the rapid multiplication of bacteria and a lethal level of toxin production.
Due to the rapid progression of the disease, an animal affected by enterotoxaemia will typically be found dead in the paddock. On post-mortem, rapid decomposition of the carcass is seen.
Little can be done to treat an animal affected by enterotoxaemia; therefore, the emphasis should be on prevention. The key to prevention is to ensure all livestock are adequately protected through vaccination.
As with any vaccination program, adult cows and ewes should be vaccinated approximately 1 month before giving birth to give their calves and lambs maternal or passive immunity through colostrum.
Passive immunity typically lasts approximately 6 weeks; after this period, calves and lambs require vaccination to gain active immunity. This is achieved by giving 2 injections at least 4 weeks apart.
Hopefully, all producers will benefit from the upcoming spring conditions without being troubled by the problems they may bring.
For further advice, please contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
Stockyard Hill farmer pleads guilty to animal cruelty
A Stockyard Hill farmer pleaded guilty to 8 offences relating to animal cruelty and livestock traceability offences at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced with conviction and a fine of $20,000, with an order to pay $383.33 in costs.
The court also imposed a disqualification order from owning or being the person in charge of sheep for a period of 5 years.
Matthew Fleay pleaded guilty to charges that occurred between October 2023 and March 2024.
Nurturing young talent for horticulture's future
The Victorian Government is helping young Victorians build the skills and experience they need in horticulture – creating pathways to more regional jobs and shaping the next generation of our farming leaders.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $100,000 for the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria’s (NGIV) Branch Out program to support the learning opportunities for young people in schools across Victoria.
Branch Out gives Victorian secondary school students hands-on opportunities to experience growing and caring for plants in ways which spark passion and inspire them to consider a future career in the horticulture industry.
Boosting livestock biosecurity through grants
The Victorian Government is backing the next generation of livestock vets, making sure the agricultural sector has the best expertise to keep stock healthy and safe.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $15 million for 22 projects that will strengthen Victoria’s biosecurity and safeguard our livestock industries as part of the 2025 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program.
Ag Vic Talk season 10 - Supporting children’s mental health in rural areas with Jacquie Lee
We chat with Jacquie Lee from Emerging Minds about supporting children's mental health in rural areas during challenging times like droughts and bushfires.
🎧Listen now to learn more about supporting your families during times of stress.
In this Farming Safe and Well episode, Jacquie shares valuable insights on:
- Building strong parent-child relationships
- Understanding and managing children's emotions and behaviour
- The importance of maintaining routines
- Effective communication and meaning making
- Creating and utilising support networks.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Fodder production in a challenging season
When: Monday 8 September, 8:30 am - 12 noon
Where: Horsham SmartFarm, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham
Presenter: Frank Mickan
Frank is an industry-renowned specialist in fodder and pasture conservation, providing insights into producing high-quality hay.
Topics include:
- How to make the best quality hay
- How fodder quality influences livestock production
- Including additives
- Storage systems and minimising wastage
- Feed testing
Perennial Pasture Systems annual conference
When: Tuesday 9 September, 8 am - 5 pm
Where: Ararat Town Hall, corner Barkly and Vincent Streets, Ararat
This year's conference theme of 'Taking Stock' is focusing on where our region’s farms are at after a period of low sheep and wool prices followed by very dry conditions. PPS is also looking at the effect of the PPS project on farm resilience to help get through these tough times.
PPS is also looking forward to seeing how members can position themselves to take advantage of changing circumstances in the foreseeable future.
Virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly – 23 September
When: Tuesday 9 and 23 September
Time: 9-10 am
Drought smokos are an hour a fortnight to get away from the paddock and catch up with a group of farmers who are all in the same boat!
We will talk about the science of feeding, how much, which commodities, pros and cons, cost, different options, trigger points and planning.
Dr Jillian Kelly is a vet and nutritionist from Coonamble, in north-west NSW. She ran drought smokos every fortnight through the 2018–20 drought and it made a difference to hundreds of farmers and thousands of livestock.
Hay or grain? Make the right call
When: Monday 15 September, 12 noon
Join AgVic seasonal agronomists Dale Grey and Dale Boyd and Nutrien Ag Solutions Elmore Branch Manager Greg Toomey for a timely and practical webinar designed to help you make informed decisions about cutting cereal crops for hay. They’ll walk you through the key questions and considerations, including:
- estimating hay yields
- timeliness of making hay - effects on quality and quantity
- cost-benefit analysis – the economics of hay vs grain production
- key factors for making marketable hay
- impact on ground cover and long-term paddock management.
Hamilton - Farm Safety Day
Farm safe and strong - Practical tips for improving safety on the land
When: Friday 3 October, 9 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Hamilton SmartFarm, 915 Napier Road, Hamilton
Join us for a hands-on event dedicated to improving safety and well-being in agriculture – and especially during challenging times. Through expert-led demonstrations and practical advice, attendees will learn safer methods for cattle handling including loading and unloading cattle, preventing Q fever and needle stick injuries.
Whether you’re managing or working on a family farm or a large property, or you are a student in agriculture, this event offers valuable insights and tools to protect your livelihood, your team, and yourself. Come away informed, connected and better equipped for a safer future on the land.
Farmers Night Off
When: Friday 12 September, 5-8 pm
Where: Hopetoun Recreation Reserve, Strachan Street, Hopetoun
Join us for a free local event designed to help farmers with grant guidance, mental health strategies and genuine community connection.
Doing agriculture differently – experiences of First Nations farmers
When: Friday 12 September, 10 am
This event is focused on ‘Doing agriculture differently – experiences of First Nations farmers’, with Josh Williams from Tumpinyeri Growers and Cory Robertson from Booma Foods.
Josh and Cory will chat with Beth Jones, Agriculture Victoria CEO, about their respective businesses, including how they solved challenges of access to land and how being First Nations farmers informs their business model in agriculture.
Australasian Seed Science Conference 2025
When: 22 - 25 September
Where: Horsham
ASSC 2025 offers a platform to explore cutting-edge research, share new technologies, and exchange ideas on common scientific, legal, and policy challenges in seed conservation and use.
The program will feature diverse topics including:
- Revitalisation of traditional food systems through Indigenous leadership
- Policy frameworks enabling access to, and sustainable use of, plant genetic resources
- Advances in germinating and conserving hard-to-propagate species
- The role of genomics and digital tools in climate adaptation and crop recovery.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead - and be part of seeding innovation for a more resilient future.
Pasture Cropping Workshop
When: 3 October, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Loddon Plains Landcare Network, Inglewood
GRDC events
23 September, 9 am - 3 pm GRDC Harvester Set Up Workshop – Horsham
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group 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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