No images? Click here
Thursday 22 October 2026
Request a hard copy of the farm Fire Preparedness Toolkit by emailing recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Farm fire preparedness: what’s in your emergency kit?
Prepare now for the fire season.
It’s never too early to check your emergency kit.
Staying to defend your property or preparing to shelter in place can be extremely dangerous when a bushfire is on the way.
Make sure you have an emergency kit ready with:
- protective clothing, boots and work gloves
- smoke masks and eye protection
- pure wool blankets or fire blankets
- spare batteries and chargers
- water.
Stay ahead of flystrike
Lee Manning, District Veterinary Officer
With spring conditions now well established, sheep producers are encouraged to review their flystrike prevention plans.
Flystrike remains one of the most significant animal welfare and production challenges facing the sheep industry.
The condition can reduce productivity, increase labour and treatment costs and, in severe cases, result in sheep deaths.
Early planning can reduce the risk of flystrike and help producers avoid costly interventions later in the season.
Flystrike risk increases when warm temperatures coincide with moisture, creating favourable conditions for blowfly activity.
Are your bulls ready for joining?
Darren Hickey, Project Leader BetterBeef Network
With spring calving well underway, it won’t be long before the bulls are back to work.
Now is the time to make sure your bull team is healthy, sound and ready for joining.
Why pre-joining checks matter
Bulls may look fit and healthy but could still underperform during joining leaving you with lower than expected pregnancy rates. Problems can be identified during a pre-joining check, but without one they may not become apparent until pregnancy scanning or even calving.
Victorian dairy farmers rebound in milestone year
Victoria’s dairy farmers are enjoying a welcome turnaround, with a new report showing improved returns and growing confidence after a challenging season.
Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle recently released the 2025–26 Victorian Dairy Farm Monitor Project Annual Report, marking 20 years of the project.
Delivered by Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia, the project tracks 90 dairy farms across northern Victoria, south west Victoria and Gippsland.
H5 bird flu – current situation
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).
Biosecurity remains essential as temporary poultry confinement requirement ends
Strong, long-term biosecurity measures will remain central to managing the ongoing risk of H5 bird flu, with temporary requirements for poultry producers in metropolitan Melbourne and specified coastal and adjacent areas ending on 16 October 2026.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke thanked the poultry industry for their ongoing support and is strongly encouraging all poultry producers to continue to use all practical measures to prevent and minimise contact between poultry and wild birds.
Keeping poultry separated from wild birds wherever possible, protecting feed and water from wild bird access and preventing wild birds from entering poultry sheds and yards remains critical to managing the risk of H5 bird flu.
Good biosecurity helps protect Victorian livestock
Livestock owners are encouraged to stay informed about H5 bird flu and maintain good farm biosecurity.
There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or other livestock in Australia.
H5 bird flu is present in wild birds in Victoria. The disease primarily affects birds and has not been detected in Australian livestock.
Applications sought for key livestock and biosecurity advisory roles
Agriculture Victoria is calling for expressions of interest from people with skills, experience and industry knowledge to serve on four statutory ministerial advisory committees that support Victoria's cattle, sheep, goat, swine and honey bee industries.
Applications are now open for chair and member positions on the:
- Apicultural Industry Advisory Committee
- Swine Industry Projects Advisory Committee
- Cattle Compensation Advisory Committee
- Sheep and Goat Compensation Advisory Committee
Act now before serrated tussock sets seed, Victorian landholders urged
The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is urging landholders across Victoria to take action against serrated tussock before the invasive weed enters its annual seeding period, warning that early intervention is critical to preventing further spread.
With Serrated tussock typically flowering and setting seed during late spring and early summer, October and November provide an important opportunity for landholders to identify infestations, undertake control works and remove developing seed heads before they mature and disperse.
Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is one of Victoria's most damaging agricultural weeds, reducing pasture productivity, threatening native biodiversity and creating significant long-term management costs for landholders.
VSTWP Chair Lance Jennison said the coming weeks represent a crucial window for controlling infestations before they contribute to the existing seed bank.
'Every serrated tussock plant that is allowed to set seed has the potential to create problems for years to come. A single mature plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds, which can be carried considerable distances by wind,' Mr Jennison said.
'Now is the time for landholders to inspect their paddocks, roadsides and property boundaries, identify serrated tussock plants and take action before those seed heads mature.'
The VSTWP is particularly encouraging landholders to prioritise the removal of seed heads from isolated plants and smaller infestations, where preventing seed production can make a significant difference to long-term control efforts.
Where seed heads have already developed, they should be carefully removed and securely bagged to prevent seed dispersal. Landholders should also consider appropriate herbicide treatments, manual removal and longer-term pasture management strategies.
'Removing seed heads before they release viable seed is an important preventative measure, particularly where immediate treatment of the entire infestation isn't possible,' Mr Jennison said.
'However, removing seed heads alone won't kill the plant. Landholders need to follow up with effective control measures to prevent regrowth and future seed production.'
The VSTWP also reminds landholders that serrated tussock can be difficult to identify among native grasses, particularly before its distinctive, purple-tinged flowering heads develop and mature into golden-coloured seed heads.
Maintaining competitive, healthy pastures and regularly monitoring previously treated areas are essential components of successful long-term management.
'Managing serrated tussock is a shared responsibility. When one property allows plants to set seed, neighbouring properties and surrounding landscapes can be affected,' Mr Jennison said.
'We encourage everyone to be proactive this spring. A little effort now can prevent much larger infestations and considerable expense in the future.'
For identification resources, management advice and further information about serrated tussock, visit www.serratedtussock.com
Join the GINetwork
Expressions of interest are now open for a new Gippsland farmer network.
Gippsland Irrigator Network (GIN) is open to irrigators across the region to share knowledge, experience and gain practical solutions to common issues.
Free emergency animal disease training for vets
Vets can build their emergency animal disease skills through our free, self-paced online case studies.
The practical, species-based modules cover cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, and help vets recognise, investigate and report suspected emergency animal diseases.
Find out more about available courses via the buttons.
Learn.Irrigate.Grow
Agriculture Victoria and West Gippsland CMA are looking for local irrigators who would like to explore new technologies, management practices or innovative approaches on their farm.
Participants receive financial and extension support to trial ideas, monitor outcomes and share learnings with the broader irrigation community.
The program is a partnership between West Gippsland CMA, Agriculture Victoria and local irrigators.
Apply now: 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.
Drought support
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.
On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration Program
The On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration Program is a $5 million initiative that aims to accelerate the uptake of proven and new-to-market energy technologies across Victoria’s agriculture sector.
Grants of $200,000 to $750,000 are available.
Eligible organisations include:
- Agriculture Industry Associations
- Farming Systems and Landcare groups
- Research and Development Corporations
- Catchment Management Authorities
- First Nations, Traditional Owner organisations or Aboriginal businesses involved in primary production
- Partnerships or consortiums involving eligible organisations
- Companies with proven or new-to-market ready solutions
Applications close 5 pm Friday 11 December 2026.
Regional Drought Resilience Planning phase 2 implementation grants
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning program focuses on the planning and implementation of resilience and preparedness building action across 9 regions of
Victoria.
Phase 1 focused on developing Regional Drought Resilience Plans for the Barwon, Central Highlands, Gippsland, Goulburn, Great South Coast, Loddon Campaspe, Mallee, Ovens Murray and Wimmera Southern Mallee regions.
Phase 2 (2026-2029) will build on the momentum of Phase 1 with $13.95 million of Implementation Grants to deliver priority actions aligned with the Regional Drought
Resilience Plans.
Expressions of Interest are now open for Phase 2 Implementation Grants of up to $1.55 million per region and close 5 pm Monday 23 November.
Email enquiries: drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au
The RDRP program is funded by the Victorian Government and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Victorian Regional Drought Resilience Planning phase 2 information session
When: Tuesday 27 October, 1-2 pm
Where: online
Join us for an information session on Phase 2 of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) program, particularly the grant application process.
Attendees are encouraged to submit their specific questions using the meeting's Q&A function.
On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration program: information session
When: Thursday 29 October, 1-2:30 pm
Where: online
The On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration (OFEED) Program aims to accelerate the uptake of proven and new-to-market energy technologies across Victoria’s agriculture sector, through industry-led demonstration projects.
Up to $5 million in grant funding is available to deliver the OFEED program.
Grants of $200,000 to $750,000 are available for successful applicants to showcase energy technologies that can:
- improve on-farm energy efficiency
- reduce fuel, gas or energy consumption
- generate renewable energy
- provide energy storage on farm.
This webinar event will provide further details about the program guidelines, including:
- Eligibility
- Project expectations
- Eligible expenditure
- Co-funding
- Knowledge-sharing expectations
GippsDairy industry update lunch – Morwell and Orbost
Morwell: Thursday 29 October, 12–2 pm
Where: Morwell Club, 136 Helen St, Morwell
Orbost: Thursday 12 November, 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: Orbost Football Club, Lochiel St, Orbost
Tom Youl, Dairy Australia
Tom will present Dairy Australia's latest Situation and Outlook Report, providing expert analysis and unbiased insights into current domestic and international dairy market trends, industry drivers, and what they mean for Victorian dairy farmers.
20 Years of Dairy Farm Monitor Project Insights
Natalie Nelson, Farm Business Economist, Agriculture Victoria
Natalie will share findings from the project's landmark 20th year, highlighting the key trends, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped Victorian dairy farming over the past 2 decades.
The DFMP provides comprehensive physical and financial analysis of approximately 250 dairy farms across Australia, representing a broad range of farm sizes, herd sizes, and geographical locations. The project supports decision-making and investment priorities for Dairy Australia, Agriculture Victoria, and other key industry stakeholders.
Natalie will also discuss:
- The challenges dairy farms faced during the 2024-26 period due to difficult weather conditions.
- The impact on home-grown feed consumption and fodder reserves.
- How some businesses have successfully rebuilt fodder reserves and strengthened resilience.
- Recent improvements in farm profitability, with average returns on assets approximately doubling between 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training – Dargo
Who is this for?
- Individuals: Equip yourself with practical skills to recognise and safely respond to mental health concerns
- Businesses and Organisations: Supports organisations in meeting Psychosocial Hazards obligations under Australian WHS legislation
- Community groups and Clubs: Increased capability in providing support.
Includes:
- Official MHFA Manual to each participant
- MHFA Training by a Licenced Instructor
- MHFA Certificate of Completion upon meeting requirements.
9 am to 3 pm. Morning tea and lunch provided.
- Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November – Dargo: Bush Nursing Centre, 72 Lind Ave, Dargo.
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
This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.