Thursday 13 November 2025

Drought support available now

Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.  

Our website provides information on available support, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services and links to other organisations that can help.  

You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.  

Plus, find out about upcoming events in your region and online www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or by calling 136 186. 

Tomato potato psyllid

Pest detection prompts market access requirements

Agriculture Victoria has fast-tracked new accreditation processes to help horticultural businesses with market access requirements after a new detection of tomato potato psyllid (TPP).

Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Rosa Crnov confirmed that TPP was recently detected in a home garden in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and outside of the current restricted area on the Bellarine Peninsula.

‘The new detection occurred outside the restricted area, indicating that the pest may be present beyond the previously identified area.’

‘We’ve worked with industry to develop a new arrangement, helping businesses to maintain interstate market access,’ Dr Crnov said.

Agriculture Victoria co-hosted a webinar with Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria on 12 November at 2 pm to help guide businesses through the changes.

The webinar, along with information and resources, is available on the Agriculture Victoria website for businesses to access.

TPP is a small insect that feeds on solanaceous hosts such as tomato, potato, eggplant, chilli and capsicum, and was detected in Victoria for the first time on 12 November 2024 on the Bellarine Peninsula.

A restricted area has been in place since the initial detection in November 2024 to contain the pest from spreading further into other areas of Victoria.

TPP is established around Perth in Western Australia.

TPP can spread a serious plant disease known as ‘zebra chip’ in potatoes when it is infected with the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) bacterium. CLso has not been detected in Victoria, or anywhere in Australia.

Report any unusual plant pest or disease immediately using our online reporting form or by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.

For more information on TPP, visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-insects-and-mites/priority-pest-insects-and-mites/tomato-potato-psyllid

Regular check urged to monitor for eye cancer 

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer 

This week I’m drawing attention and urging cattle producers to regularly check their livestock for signs of eye cancer, a condition that can cause significant animal suffering and financial loss if left untreated. 

Eye cancer, which typically affects the eyelid or eyeball, is most commonly seen in white-faced breeds such as Herefords.  

The disease is associated with prolonged exposure to sunlight and typically begins as a small growth that gradually enlarges, potentially invading surrounding tissue and spreading to other parts of the body. 

If undetected, eye cancer can result in animals being condemned at the abattoir, reduced productivity and breaches of animal welfare standards. 

Prompt veterinary treatment or culling can significantly reduce the severity of the disease. 

Genetic selection also plays a role in prevention. Breeding cattle with pigmentation around the eye, particularly in the sclera and eyelid, can lower the risk of developing tumours. 

When a tumour is found, the recommended course of action depends on its size and condition: 

• Small tumours (under five-cent piece, clean and not flyblown): Animal may be sold through a saleyard for slaughter only. 
• Medium tumours (between five-cent and 20-cent piece, clean and not flyblown): Direct sale to an abattoir is permitted. 
• Large or infected tumours (bleeding, flyblown, or larger than a 20-cent piece): Animal must be disposed of on-farm or sent to a knackery. 

Failure to act appropriately may result in prosecution under the Livestock Disease Control Act or the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. 

A photographic guide to assessing eye cancers is available from Agriculture Victoria. For further advice, producers are encouraged to contact their local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Animal Health Officer. 

VFF asking truck transporters to register for emergency fodder delivery

Victoria is starting to dry out and that means more risk of bushfires.

With the support of the Victorian Government and as part of the Emergency Fodder Support Program, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is reminding truck transport operators to pre-register their details with them.

In the event of a bushfire or other significant emergency, the VFF may call on those registered to help deliver fodder to where it’s needed most.

What can you do about an evaporating dam?

Kerri Goschnick, Land Management Extension Officer

As we head into the warmer months, it's essential to monitor your water storage regularly. This helps you understand how much water stock is drinking and what you may be losing through evaporation or leakage.

See if you can identify which is having the greatest impact – water used through stock consumption or water lost through evaporation or leakage. Have you simply run out of water because there has not been sufficient rainfall to produce the required runoff?

To generate runoff into storages, rainfall events typically need to exceed 20mm.  If your grass height is over 50 mm, you may need 60 mm or more per event. Many regions have not had these types of events for some time.

Identifying and managing leakage

Leakage from dams often shows up as wet spots or clumps of green grass in a small area during the drier part of the year. This can occur when dry dams fill quickly but dam walls haven’t fully re-saturated. If you suspect leakage, consider using treatment products but choose carefully, as many are soil-type specific. You will get the best value when you take this into account.

If you treat your dam, ensure the dam is properly fenced to exclude all stock. Storage treatment products can range from $1,000–$10,000 and should only be used when you are certain that your storage is leaking.

Also, consider safety: add steps or structures to the inside batters to help animals or people exit safely without damaging the treated batter or liner.

The science behind hay fires

Andrea Henry, dairy industry development officer, Maffra

Spontaneous combustion in hay occurs when internal heat builds up to the point of ignition, as a result of microbial activity and chemical reactions.

Unlike fires caused by lightning or machinery, spontaneous combustion is insidious: it starts deep within a haystack and can smoulder unnoticed until it erupts into flames.

How do spontaneous combustions happen?

Hay is an organic material rich in sugars, proteins and moisture – ideal conditions for microbial growth. When hay is baled too wet or stored before it has fully cured, bacteria and fungi begin to break down the plant matter. This microbial activity then generates heat.

What are the risk factors?

• High moisture content: Hay baled with more than 20% moisture is at risk. Mould growth and fermentation occur when moisture levels are between 20% and 35%.
• Dense packing: Tightly packed bales trap heat and moisture, accelerating microbial activity.
• Poor ventilation: Lack of airflow prevents heat from dispersing.
• Environmental conditions: Warm, humid weather.
• Storage practices: Storing hay in enclosed barns or sheds without monitoring.

Very Fast Break

The latest The Very Fast Break video is now available.  

The Very Fast Break is delivered as short YouTube videos summarising oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers and the summarised model predictions for rainfall and temperature for Victoria. 

CMA Drought Employment Program roles available

Are you a farmer, farm worker or agricultural business employee impacted by drought?

Apply now for the CMA Drought Employment Program, which offers meaningful off-farm work opportunities for people experiencing hardship in south west Victoria because of dry conditions.

At least 5 roles are available in the Corangamite CMA region including:

• a Project Support Officer (works coordinator)
• a Conservation and Land Management Team Leader (works crew team leader)
• a Conservation and Land Management Officer (works crew members - multiple positions).

These roles will support the planning, delivery and management of a range of on-ground actions to improve the health of waterways and catchments including fencing, revegetation and weed control – with flexible arrangements available.

Apply via: www.ccma.vic.gov.au/drought-employment-program

The CMA Drought Employment Program is funded by the Victorian Government. Roles are available for those in the Corangamite CMA and Glenelg Hopkins CMA regions.

Protecting Victorians from mosquito-borne diseases

More Victorians will have protection from the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), with the Victorian Government delivering free vaccines to at-risk regional Victorians this mosquito season.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas encouraged Victorians to understand the risks of mosquito-borne diseases and to take simple steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites while enjoying more time outside over the warmer summer months.

Backed by a $2.3 million investment, the vaccine is now available to people in 24 regional local government areas, primarily inland riverine regions, where there is a higher risk of exposure to the virus.

Keeping Victorian farmers safe

The Victorian Government is ensuring Victorian farmers have the tools and tailored support they need to make farms safe places to live, work or visit.

Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll announced a $2.6 million funding agreement between WorkSafe and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) to deliver the next phase of the Making Our Farms Safer project.

The funding will expand the project’s dedicated safety advisory service, which delivers on-farm, in-person support to identify and help manage key risks.

Celebrating a sparkling year for Victoria’s wine industry

The Victorian Government is backing Victoria’s wine industry and the thousands of jobs it supports by celebrating its winners at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards this year.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence presented the Yarra Valley’s Oakridge Wines with the Champion Victorian Winery award at the event.

Oakridge has now claimed the top honour in three of the past four years – 2022, 2024, and 2025 – cementing its reputation as a leader in Victorian winemaking since its founding in 1978.

What’s in your fire preparedness plan this season?

If you missed our webinar recently, make yourself a cuppa and take some time to listen.

Kylie Macreadie discusses key preparedness activities and the tools and templates you can use to plan ahead.

Farmers who have been impacted by fire also share stories and insights of putting their plans into action.

Hear from:

• Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood, horticulture business owners, Beaufort Victoria
• Doug and Jan James, livestock producers, Bungeet Victoria.

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found on our website.

Morning tea water webinar: All you need to know about water

Date

• Tuesday 18 November
• Tuesday 25 November
• Tuesday 2 December
• Tuesday 9 December
• Tuesday 16 December

Time

Each webinar runs from 10-11 am.

Grab a cuppa and join this series of 5 informal presentations every Tuesday from 18 November to 16 December. The sessions will be relaxed with plenty of opportunities for you to share your knowledge and experience.

The sessions will be led by Clem Sturmfels, Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer. Clem has over 45 years' experience in the design, construction and repair of farm dams and the design of farm pipelines.

While the formal sessions will focus on a few key topics, participants will also have access to range of other recordings, videos and associated resources.

Topics:

• water self-assessment
• water planning
• farm dams
• pipeline layout and design
• installation and construction.

Participants are encouraged to attend all 5 sessions, though you only need to register once. 

Stock Sense goat essentials workshop - Wattle Flat

When: Friday 21 November, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Wattle Flat (location will be provided after registration)

The Stock Sense team have an upcoming goat essentials workshop presented by Agriculture Victoria Veterinary Officer and committed goat enthusiast Berwyn Squire.

It will cover the following topics: foot paring, vaccinations, faecal egg counts, general biosecurity, body condition scoring and FAMACHA® for effective worm control. 

We will also be joined by Agriculture Victoria Animal Health Officer Ellie Mowle, who will be helping out throughout the day.

The event is free, and catering will be provided. 

Trees on farm – Boosting productivity and cutting net emissions

When: Monday 24 November, 12 noon - 1 pm

Join our climate webinar to hear about how integrating trees into livestock systems can deliver real productivity gains and help reduce farm emissions.

Presenters: Rachelle Myer, Integrity Ag, Dr Hugh Stewart, Hugh Stewart Consulting and Julia Waite, Meat & Livestock Australia.

MultiMix Field Day

When: Monday 1 December, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Hamilton Smart Farm, 12 Research Station Rd, Hamilton

Join us to hear about how multi-species pasture have the potential to improve sheep production, reduce methane emissions and extend the resilience of pastures in the Southern regions of Australia.

The field day will showcase the trial platform with presentations from research scientists explaining the aims of the MultiMix project.

The event will conclude with a free barbecue lunch.

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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