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Thursday 30 October 2025
Grants open to improve pet welfare across Victoria
The Victorian Government is backing shelters, rehoming groups and community vet clinics – making vet care more affordable and helping more pets find loving homes across Victoria.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the opening of applications for Round 13 of the Animal Welfare Fund, which will invest $1.6 million to support companion animal welfare across Victoria.
This round offers Pet Welfare Grants of up to $100,000 for not-for-profit organisations, animal shelters and community foster care networks. Eligible projects include those focused on rehoming, education, emergency animal relief and expanding facilities available to the community during times of crisis.
Low-cost vet clinic grants of up to $50,000 are also available to put towards equipment, upgrades and expansions for not-for-profit and community vet clinics, and up to $200,000 to establish new low-cost vet clinics.
Previous grants awarded under the Animal Welfare Fund Grants program have helped Geelong Animal Welfare Society to establish new kitten enclosures and cat isolation wards, enabled Victorian Animal Aid to purchase a dental x-ray machine and assisted The Australian Animal Protection Society to create a sensory dog park.
Over the past decade, the AWF Grants Program has awarded more than $14.75 million in funding to not-for-profit animal shelters, foster care organisations and community vet clinics – directly improving the wellbeing of companion animals across Victoria.
Applications for Round 13 Animal Welfare Fund Grants are open until 27 November 2025.
To apply and for more information visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
Listen while you work – AgVic Talk podcast
Hear farmers across Victoria chat about the agriculture sector, like using Ag Tech on-farm and improving farm safety from the paddock to the kitchen table.
Farmers share their inspiring stories of managing the dynamic nature of farming, in droughts or recovering from fires and floods, plus much more.
Next time you’re out in the back paddock, driving the tractor, straining a fence, or harvesting a crop, put on a podcast that’s all about you.
Listen to AgVic Talk: https://go.vic.gov.au/3ElogqQ
Find more information on drought support at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program
Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program.
The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos.
For the full range of supports available to drought-affected farmers and communities, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
Get your livestock fire plan done now
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
Victorian producers are more aware than most of the importance of being prepared and having a plan in place for livestock during a fire.
With the coming fire season almost upon us, now is the time for livestock owners to get prepared and have a clear strategy to apply in the event of a fire emergency on their farm.
A key factor in minimising the threat to livestock during a bushfire or on extreme fire danger days is to identify safer areas on-farm where livestock can be moved to.
The area you choose will depend on the type of livestock and their expected behaviour during a fire.
To reduce the potential for injury and death to livestock, consider relocating stock to designated low-risk areas during days of high fire danger and Total Fire Bans. Low risk areas include:
bare areas such as ploughed paddocks, and areas cultivated and kept free of combustible vegetation
bared-out paddocks, provided they are well defended by fire breaks
irrigated paddocks or paddocks containing green summer crops
stockyards that can be wet in advance. However, the yards must be well defended as the fire front passes
dams and swamps are another possible option.
All low-risk areas should have sufficient drinking water to enable stock to remain in the area for extended periods of high fire risk and high temperatures. For more information regarding stock containment areas for emergencies, go to https://go.vic.gov.au/Ex53E4
Stockyards have been known to successfully hold stock during a fire if protected by a firebreak. If this is your preferred option, consider using a sprinkler system, as stock held together on a hot day can suffer from heat stress.
Horses should not be confined to small areas or stables; instead, they should be moved to an open paddock with minimal vegetation, allowing them to move freely. Horses and cattle are adept at avoiding fires, moving themselves to safe, open areas, and usually suffer minimal burns if left to do so.
If equipment such as rugs, halters, and flyveils remain on horses, the plastic may melt, and metal buckles can burn the animal. Therefore, consider using rope halters for easier handling and management.
It’s crucial not to open gates that may allow stock access to public roadways, as any animals will be a hazard to traffic in smoky conditions.
On days of extreme fire danger or on the day before, stock should be moved into lower-risk areas on-farm or to a safer property.
Agriculture Victoria advises livestock owners to act early and avoid being caught trying to move stock as a fire approaches. Listen to weather forecasts and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action.
For further assistance on preparing a farm and livestock bushfire plan go to https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires or contact the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Advice on farm water and management decisions
Rachael Campbell, Agriculture Victoria
With the long dry period, many farm dams are yet to fill. Support is available to assist with stock water planning and other farm management decisions.
All farmers in Victoria can register for a free one to one consultation with a farm management specialist.
This advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to talk through and help develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is tailored to your situation, with a consultant that you nominate from Agriculture Victoria’s panel. Advice can include stock feed planning, water planning and a range of other on-farm decisions.
More information about this service can be found at https://go.vic.gov.au/452dHXb.
There are also online tools to assist in farm water management.
Knowing your farm water requirements allows you to plan and make informed changes as required.
Agriculture Victoria has information and tools available to help assess stock water supply and calculate how long water will last at https://go.vic.gov.au/4o6i4aJ.
Reducing water losses across the farm can achieve significant water savings. For example, in the short term, repair any reticulation leaks and in the longer term, reduce evaporation from farm dams by planting windbreaks and minimising seepage.
Dairy farmers can also explore how to reduce water use in the dairy whilst maintaining milk quality by measuring water use in everyday activities such as vat and machine washing, pit activities and yard cleaning.
Improvements can then be identified that could achieve significant water savings by adopting different technologies or work practices.
Detail on measuring water use in the dairy at https://go.vic.gov.au/4niysU8
For more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Boosting long-term biosecurity across Victoria
The Victorian Government is backing local heroes who are fighting back against invasive pests and weeds – the kind that threaten our farms, forest and parks and can be harmful to native wildlife.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced 27 grant recipients from Round 4 of the $5 million Partnerships Against Pests grants program, which supports community-led initiatives to build strong partnerships, raise awareness, and deliver long-term, collaborative invasive species management.
This is important work that helps keep our state clean and healthy, so our forests can continue to thrive so visitors can keep enjoying them into the future and it protects the farmland that feeds us, making sure our crops and livestock aren’t competing with destructive species.
Among the recipients is Up2Us Landcare Alliance to support its $50,000 ‘Rooted in Resilience, Collaborative Solutions for Blackberry and Gorse’ project.
The project will help Landcare professionals and community members in north east Victoria to deliver a strategic approach to weed management and develop a community of practice that aims to drive long-term change. The Landcare professionals will then put these learnings into practice by delivering four community workshops.
The Upper Glenelg Landcare Network has received $38,500 to develop a scalable fox control model across four Landcare groups. The project will equip land managers with practical skills, supported by formal chemical use training, to increase control methods available to land managers and increase the effectiveness of their efforts.
The East Gippsland Landcare Network has been awarded $33,970 for their ‘Pests in Focus - Educating East Gippsland at the Field Days’ project.
Over 2 years, the initiative will deliver engaging pest plant and animal awareness activities by working towards behaviour change in landholders and the wider community encouraged by education and engagement.
Grants between $10,000 and $50,000 were available for projects focused on building knowledge and capacity for those who undertake activities to control established weeds and pest animals.
For more information and the full list of recipients, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/
Reporting varroa mite remains vital in transition to management
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging beekeepers to continue to report varroa mite despite the state transitioning to management of the pest.
Throughout August, large numbers of beehives were moved into almond orchards for pollination. As anticipated, new detections of Varroa have and will continue to occur across Victoria.
The focus is now on preparing beekeepers to live with the pest while slowing its spread. Agriculture Victoria’s Varroa Development Officers are working in field with beekeepers to ensure any positive loads within the state are well managed to minimise the biosecurity risk.
Under the National Varroa Mite Response Plan, Varroa development officers are providing guidance directly to beekeepers on how to manage Varroa mite and appropriately utilise the chemical control options available.
Victorian Chief Plant Health Officer Rosa Crnov stressed the importance of following all relevant processes.
’On 11 September, Agriculture Victoria removed statewide border control measures on hives that were previously in place to manage the spread of Varroa destructor into Victoria.
Is hay the best option for your crop this season?
Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.
To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.
Drought support information
Farmers across Victoria are using Farm Drought Support Grants to set themselves up for the current and future droughts.
Check out the list of some eligible activities below:
- stock containment areas
- reticulated water systems, pipes and troughs
- irrigation system upgrades– including repairs and maintenance
- grain and fodder storage
- internal fencing
- feed system upgrades
- pasture/crop restoration
- water carting for livestock and essential business activities.
Farmers can claim expenses on eligible activities since 30 September 2024.
For program guidelines, a full list of eligible activities, and to apply visit https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/grants/
Find more information on drought support at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Find more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Take stock of your water reserves - With summer on the way, now is an ideal time to take stock of your water reserves.
Consider distance when transporting livestock for processing - In Australia, livestock often travel many kilometres, in some cases even thousands of kilometres interstate for processing.
Monitoring worms essential this spring - Drought conditions may have compromised sheep condition. Short pastures and prolonged grazing close to the ground can increase the risk of worm larvae uptake.
What's on?
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Baranduda – Blackberry biology and identification workshop
Saturday, 1 November, 10 am to 1 pm at Baranduda Community Centre, 3 Sage Court, Baranduda.
Blackberries are a persistent challenge for landholders and the community, spreading quickly and impacting both natural ecosystems and productive land. Managing them effectively starts with knowing what species you’re dealing with and understanding their biology.
Hosted by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network (WULN) and Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups (KCLG), this free, practical workshop is designed to help landholders identify and understand blackberry species on their properties.
What you’ll get from the day:
- engage with experts from the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce
- biology and life cycle of blackberry species
- information on correctly identifying different blackberry species.
An opportunity to bring in blackberry specimens to be sent to Melbourne University for identification.
Note: if you are bringing in a specimen for ID, please collect the specimen as close to the event as possible and make sure it is new plant growth.
Morning lunch and tea provided.
Webinar – Boosting livestock performance with eID
Date and time: Friday 7 November from 3 - 5 pm
Join us for a webinar with a focus on the practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
Why should farmers attend?
Sheep eID allows for tracking individual animal performance with precision. By leveraging this data, farmers can unlock new opportunities to increase productivity across the flock and reduce emissions by identifying and managing high-impact animals.
Suitable for farmers just starting with eID or more experienced farmers looking to refine your data strategy.
Intro to lean and drought support business planning webinar
Tuesday, 11 November from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.
Learn how to strengthen your operations, improve profitability, and drive long-term sustainability with expert insights from Moshie.
What you’ll gain:
- introduction to lean business management and how it applies to your farm business
- Moshie’s tools for identifying waste and improving efficiency to increase profitability and resilience
- simple business planning templates to identify areas for improvement
- straightforward costing tools to improve decision-making and resource management
- strategies for risk management, building drought resilience and long-term business sustainability
- 12 months of access to an exclusive online portal, with workshop resources.
Discover other relevant support programs, including:
- drought one-on-one advisory service – discover how to sign up for free, personalised business planning support with Moshie's expert team
- on-Farm Infrastructure Grants
- Look Over the Farm Gate (mental health and wellbeing grants).
Who should attend?
- turf, agriculture and horticulture business owners
- farmers, growers and primary producers
- retail and supply chain operators
- anyone managing business costs and resources.
Webinar: Introducing the Rural Financial Counselling Service
When: Wednesday 12 November, 12 to 1 pm.
Join this informative session to learn how the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) can help you, your business, or your community build resilence through financial and wellbeing support.
Discover how free, confidential services can help you:
- manage financial stress
- develop recovery plans
- access personal wellbeing support
- strengthen business and community resilience.
Register via email to: lena@theagricollective.com.au
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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