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Thursday 24 April 2025
First Nations knowledge to shape future farmers
Agriculture Victoria is supporting opportunities to embed Aboriginal traditional knowledge and practices into agricultural training to recognise First Nations peoples’ connection to agriculture.
The garinga djimbayang Grant Program supports partnerships between Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and TAFEs to integrate First Nations’ knowledge and practices into the design and delivery of accredited agriculture training.
Helping more cats and dogs find their furever home
The Victorian Government is helping Victorian pet rescue and rehoming groups find homes for vulnerable pets through the latest round of the Individual Pet Rehoming Grants.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced that a further $1.27 million has been awarded to organisations that provides vital rehoming services for cats and dogs.
Avoid headaches – regularly inspect your dam
Regular inspection, monitoring and maintenance of your gully dams can reduce the risk of ‘failure’ such as leaks and bank collapses.
Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels said stock damage, soil erosion, siltation and excessive vegetation growth can all contribute to the gradual deterioration of farm dams.
Autumn pasture reminders
Michele Jolliffe, Agriculture Victoria, Hamilton
Autumn is a key time to rebuild perennial ryegrass density and set up pasture production for the year. The dry summer will have weakened individual plants, and some will die despite good management.
By following a few simple tactics, it will be possible to maintain and, in most cases, improve your perennial ryegrass pasture performance into the future.
Make decisions on your livestock – and stick to it
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
It is vital that producers assess their livestock situation now and actively plan for the welfare of animals as we wait for the autumn break.
Livestock may start experiencing the effects of the shortfall of paddock feed. Furthermore, water availability has become a critical issue on many properties.
To ensure livestock make it through this period, some timely decisions need to be made.
Producers need to examine their options carefully and ask themselves questions such as:
- have I got enough supplementary feed on hand?
- if not, will I be able to source it at a reasonable price?
- will I need to cart water? How much? And from where?
- is agistment an option, what is the cost and how far will my stock have to travel?
- do I need to sell some stock now?
Decisions need to be made carefully. A well-constructed plan is a
valuable tool in assisting with the decision-making process.
By using a timeline with details such as ‘if it has not rained by x date, I need to sell x number of head’, often eases the pressure on producers and their livestock.
Livestock owners have a legislative responsibility for the welfare of their animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
For further information please visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Plus you can contact your local veterinarian, local stock agent or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer on 136 186.
Popular irrigation incentive program set to benefit even more Gippsland farmers
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in partnership with Agriculture Victoria, is excited to share the results of the Sustainable Irrigation Program Demonstration Trials, a two-year project aimed at showcasing the benefits of irrigation technology using real-life examples from local farms.
Across the project, dairy farmers in central Gippsland successfully trialled new technologies that demonstrate savings of time, money, water and nutrients while protecting the environment.
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.
Online Farm Business Program
Achieve your business goals, build on your skills and strengthen your farm for the future – join our upcoming online farm business course.
Delivered over 6 weeks, this course is run in collaboration with Rural People Co. and open to livestock, grains, mixed farmers, horticulturalists and apiarists.
Join us on Wednesdays from 7 pm.
- Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals - Wednesday, 7 May
- Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making - Wednesday, 14 May
- Module 3: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety - Wednesday, 21 May
- Module 4: Climate risk and natural resource management - Wednesday, 28 May
- Module 5: Business planning - Wednesday, 11 June.
BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb Network Roadshow
Agriculture Victoria’s BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb network 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: Tuesday 3 June
Where: Lardner Park, Lardner.
Food & Fibre Gippsland are holding drought resilience workshops in April and May across the region.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group'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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