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Thursday 15 October 2026
Biosecurity plans now essential for LPA accreditation
Richard Smith, Agriculture Victoria Dairy Industry Development Officer
Recent changes to the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program mean producers seeking accreditation or reaccreditation must now upload or create an On-farm Biosecurity Management Plan for each property linked to their LPA account.
A biosecurity management plan is a practical way to show how you are preventing pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants from entering your property and from spreading around or leaving your property.
This plan helps define your responsibilities, outlines the disease protocols for your property and ensures property information and biosecurity measures are quickly accessible when needed.
Plan now for the fire season
Peter Tuohey, Rural Assistance Commissioner
With the outlook for an increased fire risk across parts of Victoria, farmers should be planning now for the upcoming season – and there is lots of information available to assist them.
Seasonal conditions to date have supported average to above average crop and pasture growth increasing vegetation on farmland across large areas of the state.
As we know, bushfire risk depends on many factors including weather and climate, fuel amount and availability, vegetation types, recent fire, and disturbance history.
With this in mind, farmers and rural landholders should be working now to manage the risk of bushfire on their properties.
Locust activity map now available
Community reports play a vital part in building up a picture of locust activity across the north west. If you have seen locusts, please report it via the online form or if you can’t report online then call 136 186.
Let us know:
- location
- date of sighting
- how big the locusts are
- if the locusts are flying
- vegetation condition
- your contact details (to help us get in touch if we need further information).
Thank you to everyone who has already provided reports. The information is combined with data from our field teams and the Australian Plague Locust Commission to build a picture of locust activity.
A map of locust activity and information about locust management is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/locusts
Apply now: 2027 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award
On International Day of Rural Women, we’re celebrating the women driving change across rural and regional Victoria and encouraging applications for the 2027 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Could you be Victoria’s next AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner?
Through the Rural Women’s Network we work in partnership with AgriFutures Australia to support the Award in Victoria and help develop and celebrate women leading change across our rural and regional communities.
Earlier this year, Victorian veterinarian Dr Becky Dickinson was named the 2026 Victorian winner for her work supporting early-career veterinarians entering rural practice. Through Veterinary Support Services, Becky is helping build the skills, confidence and long-term retention of vets working in rural communities.
The Victorian winner receives a $15,000 grant to help grow the impact of their project, business or program, along with professional development opportunities and access to a national alumni network.
If you’re a Victorian woman with an established initiative making a difference in agriculture, rural industries or regional communities, now is the time to apply.
Applications close Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Out now: October Very Fast Break
The Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip for September is now available.
We love to receive your feedback. If you have comments, questions or feedback, please contact Dale Grey at the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Webinar recording: Managing your on-farm biosecurity
On-farm biosecurity management is a mandatory requirement of the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program. It helps protect individual producers, strengthens Australia’s red meat supply chain and supports ongoing access to global markets.
Effective biosecurity management requires producers to take reasonable steps to prevent, control and minimise the spread of infectious diseases, pests and weeds.
If you missed Integrity Systems' recent Biosecurity webinar which provided an overview of on-farm biosecurity requirements and practical guidance to help producers manage biosecurity risks and a demonstration of how to create or upload an on-farm biosecurity management plan within LPA accounts. Click the link below.
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 on 1800 675 888 or using the online form.
Report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.
Report even 1 sick or dead:
- wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
- marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin).
You can explore confirmed events on our interactive map.
Your report helps us to understand the spread of H5 bird flu across the state. Accurate reports help us respond quickly where necessary.
H5 bird flu information session – Queenscliff
When: Wednesday 21 October, 5:30–7 pm
Where: The Hub, Wirrng Wirrng, 49–55 Hesse Street, Queenscliff
To help keep the community informed following recent bird deaths from the H5 bird flu virus, DEECA will lead a meeting for the Borough community about the H5 bird flu outbreak.
There will be speakers from DEECA and the Borough of Queenscliffe involved in the local response, and an opportunity to ask questions.
No registration is required, and anyone seeking information about H5 bird flu is encouraged to attend. The meeting will also be live streamed.
As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.
Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:
- Rural Financial Counselling Service Wellbeing Counsellors - free, confidential wellbeing support alongside its usual financial and business counselling support
- Drought support events – workshops and events across the state supporting farmers in drought and recovery.
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
Support for farmers and workers in the south west
Drought impacted farming families and workers in the south west are encouraged to access financial support to ease cost-of-living pressures caused by prolonged drought conditions.
Up to $1,000 is available for farmers, farm employees and farm dependent contractors in 11 south west local government areas and parts of the West Wimmera Shire through Household Financial Relief Payments coordinated by the Country Women's Association (CWA).
Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan
Pictured: RIC Drought Hardship Loans are available for farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts.
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: drought.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans close next week
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: applications for financial support close Wednesday 21 October.
- 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 experienced major asset damage or loss of income.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Bushfire information
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
Chemical use training for commercial beekeepers
When: 16 and 17 October, 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Melbourne Polytechnic, Fairfield campus
Do you own 20 or more registered beehives? Using chemicals to manage Varroa mite? Become accredited in safe chemical use through Melbourne Polytechnic.
As part of this training program, you may be eligible to be reimbursed up to $200 for the cost of this course.
For more information, email biosecurityservicescentre@agriculture.vic.gov.au
AgriFocus 2026
When: Wednesday 21 October, from 8:30 am
Where: SFS Streatham trial site, 3524 Eurambeen–Streatham Road
Cost: $31 (non-members), free (SFS members)
AgriFocus 2026 is Southern Farming Systems’ premier technical event. AgriFocus is the leading field day for high rainfall zone farming systems, offering farmers and agronomists direct access to cutting-edge research and expert insights.
This year's keynote program includes:
- Tim Neale from DataFarming presenting 'The Autonomous Agronomist', exploring how agriculture can make smarter use of technology and navigate the increasing availability of automation, both now and into the future.
- Oli Le Lievre from Humans of Agriculture presenting Building Farms for the Future, exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping Australian agriculture and the people driving change across the industry.
Across the field, the AgriFocus matrix is packed with practical presentations, proof-of-concept research and the latest information from leading researchers, advisers and industry experts.
MLA PDS Updates webinar: Focus on weighty weaners
When: Thursday 22 October, 12 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Are your weaners achieving their growth potential? Join Meat & Livestock Australia's next PDS Updates webinar and hear the latest findings from the ‘Focus on weighty weaners’ Producer Demonstration Site project.
The project is working with beef producers across East Gippsland to identify the key factors influencing post-weaning growth rates and demonstrate practical management strategies that support improved livestock performance.
Wimmera Pulse Field Day
When: Wednesday 28 October, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: 75 Hemphills Road, Minyip
Cost: Free
The Wimmera Pulse Field Day is an annual regional showcase hosted by Agriculture Victoria and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). Gain practical insights into current research and how it can be used in on-farm decision making.
Topics will include:
- Pulse agronomy
- Pulse breeding
- Nutrition management
- Nitrogen fixation research.
The morning will conclude with a barbecue lunch and an opportunity to network with fellow agronomists, researchers and industry representatives.
This event is free however registrations are essential for catering purposes.
Mental health first aid training
Elmhurst: Thursday 29 October, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre, 36 Green Street, Elmhurst
Cost: Free
Do you know how to safely respond when someone says they are struggling?
This free course equips participants with skills to recognise and safely respond to mental health concerns. Participants will receive an accredited Certificate of Completion upon meeting requirements.
Mental health first aid is the help you give to someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. This Mental Health First Aid International course will teach you the resources and competence to safely provide support.
Morning tea and lunch provided.
Farm office efficiencies workshop – Colac
Colac: Tuesday 27 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: DEECA Office, 83-85 Gellibrand Street, Colac
Cost: Free
This workshop will help you improve your farm office systems and make better use of your accounting software. Bring your laptop and work through practical examples using your own records or a demonstration program. This workshop covers accounting software skills, including:
- emailing invoices
- attaching statements to line items
- using Hubdoc and Dext
- processing batch payments
- using rules and knowing when they are appropriate
- reconciling accounts
- tracking inventory such as fuel, grain and livestock
- creating and using custom reports.
You will also learn practical ways to better manage emails, receipts, paper records and cloud-based storage.
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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