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Thursday 05 March 2026
Get shearing done to prevent animal welfare issues
Agriculture Victoria is reminding sheep owners of their responsibility to manage wool length, so it doesn’t become excessive.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jeff Cave said sheep with more than one year’s wool growth are highly susceptible to heat stress and disease and those with overlong fleeces are also more likely to become cast – lying on their side and unable to rise.
A person who allows sheep in their care to grow excessively long fleeces may be exposed to cruelty provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019.
Victoria expands support for beekeepers
Agriculture Victoria is boosting its commitment to the state’s beekeepers who are crucial to our food security, with the appointment of 2 new bee biosecurity officers in Bendigo and Attwood.
This investment through the Victorian Varroa Transition program, adds to the 4 existing apiary inspectors, with the roles providing practical support to commercial and recreational beekeepers adapting to living with Varroa mite.
The Victorian Varroa Transition program is a 2‑year initiative supporting Victoria’s move to Varroa management, tackling long‑term challenges and safeguarding pollination services.
Passing on accurate safety advice protects you now and for generations to come.
WorkSafe has a suite of practical information to help keep farmers safe on tractors available.
Livestock tag prices lowest in Australia
Victoria continues to lead the nation in supporting its livestock producers, offering Australia’s lowest priced National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) ear tags.
Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Executive Director Charlotte Austin said the outcome of recent competitive tender process means producers can buy tags at prices equal to or lower than last year.
‘Victorian producers continue to access NLIS tags at some of the nation’s lowest prices, keeping on-farm costs down and upholding our world-class traceability reputation,’ Ms Austin said.
Irrigation incentives turn ideas into action for farmers
More farmers across Gippsland can now access Incentives for Irrigation Farm Plans.
Agriculture Victoria Irrigation Extension Officer Stephanie Veskoukis said after years of success in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID), the Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program has been expanded to include irrigators across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment.
‘The incentive covers 75% of the cost of an updated irrigation farm plan, up to a maximum of $45 per hectare for design only, or $90 per hectare for survey and design of a new plan, capped at $10,000 (excluding GST).
‘Tailored options are available for farms with specialised requirements.’
She said an Irrigation Farm Plan is a practical tool that helps irrigators compare systems, plan upgrades and design improvements that work with existing infrastructure.
‘A well-prepared plan improves water-use efficiency, reduces nutrient losses and ensures works meet statutory requirements.
‘For farmers involved in the program, increased confidence is one of the most consistent outcomes.’
Victorian Food Safety Standards - have you registered?
To help growers navigate the registration process to comply with the new food safety standards for berries, leafy vegetables, and melons, Agriculture Victoria has created a step-by-step Food Safety Registration Guide.
Agriculture Victoria will be communicating directly with many unregistered businesses to ensure you register and are meeting your compliance obligations, noting that action on unregistered businesses may be considered during 2026.
The Food Safety Standards apply to all berry, melon and leafy vegetable businesses that grow or complete primary or ‘early-stage’ processing, including small producers operating farm-gate, u-pick or local market stands. Under the Food (Primary Production and Processing) Regulations 2025 registration with Agriculture Victoria is a legal requirement for all Victorian leafy vegetable, berry, and melon businesses.
If you have any questions, please contact food.safety@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Protect your dam with a burnt netting
Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer
Fire damaged netting and steel posts can be repurposed to become a valuable resource to construct sediment traps after a bushfire.
Sediment traps are commonly installed following bushfires to protect dams, roads, tracks, stream crossings and a range of environmental assets from fire debris and sediment that can be washed downstream after heavy rain.
Issues like soil erosion, landslides and the movement of ash, soil, organic matter and woody debris are a common occurrence following rain events in bushfire affected hilly terrain.
First virtual fencing product approved for use
The Victorian Government has announced that the Halter’s P5 electronic collar system is the first to be approved in Victoria for virtual fencing.
This technology will help farmers to save on the cost of building and maintaining cattle fencing through smart, real-time technology.
Halter’s P5 system features a collar connected to an app, allowing farmers to virtually fence, move and monitor well-being of their cows while receiving real-time insights into animal health and pasture conditions.
Farmers can virtually fence around waterways and sensitive land or vegetation, while still allowing native animals to access them, promoting faster pasture recovery, healthier riparian zones and reduced reliance on fertiliser.
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 state wide.
Keeping Victoria’s Farmers And Animals Safe
The Victorian Government is making it easier for farmers to protect their livestock from pests and diseases and keep their farms productive.
The 2026 Livestock Biosecurity Fund Grants Program funds initiatives that help prevent, monitor and control diseases in animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, swine and honeybees.
This support will make it more affordable for farmers, reducing the financial burden of managing pests and diseases while easing the day-to-day costs of keeping animals healthy.
Farmers from across the state have access to two 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
Genes to Greens - Newry
When: Wednesday 12 March, 10 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Newry Hall, Newry
Curious to learn more about genetics, soil and nutrient management, pasture research, or rearing calves? We’d love to share the latest insights with you at the Genes to Greens event in Newry.
Topics covered will include multispecies pastures and ryegrasses, effluent technology, efficient calf rearing and heat tolerant genetics in dairy. A farm-walk is part of the program.
Speakers:
- Anna Thomson, Senior research, Agriculture Victoria
- Marlie Wright, Research scientist, Agriculture Victoria
- Peter Thurn, Stakeholder relations and industry liaison, DataGene
- Sharon Aarons, Senior researcher, Agriculture Victoria
Goat essentials workshop - Healesville
When: Friday 01 May, 1.30 pm - 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.
Planning for your farming future
When: Tuesday 5, 12, 19 & 26 May (9.30 am to 3 pm each day)
Where: Gippsland Ag Centre, 345 Bengworden Road, Bengworden
Do you wish your farm was easier to manage, more adaptable to seasonal conditions and helps provide environmental benefits?
Landholders are invited to participate in a series of workshops designed to build on current management practices and support planning for future improvements.
Participants will meet for 4 sessions, every Tuesday in May, to discuss the following farm management topics.
Workshop topics will include:
- Farm layout
- Setting current and future goals
- Soils and land classing
- Soil fertility and nutrient budgeting
- Grazing and feed management
- Farm water supply planning
Plant and soil health workshop
When: Thursday 26 March (2.30 pm to 5 pm each day)
Where: Fresh Select, 610 Duncans Rd, Werribee South
Victorian vegetable growers are invited to a practical workshop at Fresh Select with international soil expert Joel Williams from Integrated Soils.
Learn about plant and soil health in vegetables, including managing sodium/salts, and high chloride irrigation water.
Participate in a paddock walk featuring a brix meter/refractometer demonstration and a visual soil health assessment.
Afternoon tea provided
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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