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Thursday 8 May 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. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Bushfire recovery support
If your business or industry has been impacted by the 2024-25 bushfires in western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery.
Upcoming supports include:
- Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
- Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.
These programs are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
Visit the Business Victoria website for more information.
Boost pastures using effluent
Rachael Campbell, Dairy Industry Development Officer
Benefit your pastures by emptying your dairy effluent ponds. The extra water and nutrients can kick start growth, ready for follow up rain.
Effluent ponds are designed to contain effluent over winter, so must be emptied before the start of the wet period.
Although it is getting closer to winter, if soils are still dry, now is the time to ensure your storage ponds are relatively empty.
Plant biosecurity services changes
Changes and improvements to how you move plants and plant products into Victoria are coming.
From mid-2025, some of our plant biosecurity services will be delivered through Agriculture Victoria Connect, a new online system streamlining access to registrations, licensing and permits.
What’s new?
- Submit plant consignment notifications
- Apply for or renew compliance agreements
- Request verification inspections
You can create a profile and register your business now to make sure you’re ready.
Webinar: Dealing with Autumn – Getting Ready for the Break
Watch a webinar run by Perennial Pastures Systems (PPS) and funded through the Victorian Government Drought Support Package. While the webinar is from March there is still lots of relevant and helpful information.
Jess Revell from Rumenate Livestock Services reports on local hay and pasture this season and how they relate to stock needs. Stock feed requirements (cattle and sheep) are outlined in relation to current and future requirements. Jess also covers animal health issues, transitioning out of containment and what to consider when green feed is available.
Hear from Grace Abela and Cam Conboy from Gorst Rural about assessing pastures, weed considerations, when it may be opportunistic to oversow with cereals, annuals or short-term species to get winter feed. They also discuss critical soil conditions, weed and pest control.
Mallee Farmer magazine is back
Read the latest edition of Mallee Farmer available online now!
Sign up to get the Mallee Farmer sent direct to your inbox at www.malleecma.com.au
Working towards a safer future for farming families
Fourth-generation Wimmera farmer Scott Arnold knows that safety improvements can have a big impact – not only on productivity but on peace of mind.
The Very Fast Break
The Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip for May 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
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Using carbon calculators
When: 12 May
Where: South West TAFE 200 Ballarat Road, Hamilton
Learn the benefits for your farm business. Coordinated by Glenelg Hopkins CMA and presented by Chris Blore from Agriculture Victoria.
More information at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events
Talk the Talk Workshop - Moonambel and Raglan
Talk the Talk is a free, practical workshop designed to help local communities build confidence to support farmers facing mental health challenges. In the three-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to recognise signs of distress, use observation and listening skills, and start meaningful conversations. Whether you’re a service provider, supplier or neighbour — this workshop gives you the tools to make a difference.
Raglan: 12 - 3:30 pm, Raglan Hall 4 Codrington Street
Moonambel: 6 - 9:30 pm, Moonambel Recreation Reserve, 6190 Stawell-Avoca Road.
Soils - Sustainable Productive and Profitable - workshop
Young Ag Professionals join Southern Farming Systems and Glenelg Hopkins CMA in Hamilton for a 'Soils - Sustainable, Productive and Profitable' workshop.
The workshop will explore:
- Understanding and identifying soil constraints
- Reading and interpreting soil test results
- Making fertiliser decisions that are sustainable, productive and profitable
14 May, 11 am - 2 pm, HIRL Bandicoot Room, 333 North Boundary Road, Hamilton
2025 Mildura Field Days
When: Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May
Where: Mildura Racecourse, 53 Racecourse Road, Nichols Point
The Mildura Field Days is where agriculture and community unite, and is so much more than a place to keep up with technology and new farming concepts. It is about families having time out, time off and coming together to enjoy a day out experiencing a wonderful showcase of products, services and free entertainment.
- $10 per person
- Aged Concession $5
- Students and Children Under 18 - free
BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb Network Roadshow
Agriculture Victoria’s BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb networks are hitting the road!
The 2025 Beef and Sheep Network Roadshow will bring top industry experts to four locations across Victoria, delivering the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.
When: Wednesday 28 May
Where: Edenhope and District Community Centre
Webinar: Meeting the needs of your livestock feeding by-products
When: 28 May from 12:30 pm
Farmers, please join us for a webinar about using by-products to meet nutritional needs. By-products can provide a source of energy and protein supplementing traditional feed.
Presenter: Brett Davidson, Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Dairy Services
Topics:
- Suitable by-products
- Meeting your stock's nutritional needs
- Potential considerations including storage and feed out.
A Q and A session will follow the presentation.
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool
When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool
When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Recreation Reserve (Ultima Football Club Rooms), Culgoa - Ultima Road, Ultima
When: 23 and 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud
This 2-day workshop will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Ewe Management and Feed Planning
When: 12 June, 7:30 am BBQ breakfast, 8:30 am to 11 am
Where: Wonwondah, location provided after registration
Join us for breakfast and discussion on best practice ewe management, including tips for navigating a late autumn break and dry seasons.
Topics
- Best practice ewe management
- Improving reproduction and lamb survival
- Ewe feed requirements before and after lambing
- Lamb feed requirements
- Management tips for a late autumn break
Presenter
Dr Steve Cotton, Dynamic Ag
Steve is an experienced livestock consultant providing expert advice on livestock nutrition, health and management. With over 12 years’ experience, Steve also coordinates several BestWool/BestLamb groups and will present on ewe management in dry times.
Drought Resilience 2025
When: Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July
Where: Deakin University, Geelong.
Join experts from all disciplines to learn about and discuss the latest drought resilience research.
Australian Brassica Conference 2025
When: 21-23 July
Where: Horsham SmartFarm, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham
The 22nd Australian Brassica Conference (ABC) is held every 2 years and is the peak Australian conference for canola research and development, focussed on advancement of canola production and utilisation.
The conference will bring together scientists and representatives from the canola/oilseeds sector to showcase new developments.
For more information, visit www.brassicaconference.com.au
GRDC events
GRDC Grains Research Update, online – Insights into nitrogen decision making
11 June, 1-2pm
GRDC Farm Business Update – Horsham
18 June, 9:30 am – 3:15pm
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/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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