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Thursday 19 February 2026
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.
Communities leading the charge against invasive pests
The Victorian Government has strengthened Victoria’s front-line against invasive pests with grants announced for Community Pest Management Groups across the state.
In total, $347,753 will support the strategic expansion of initiatives, including the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, the Victorian Rabbit Action Network and the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party.
Understanding heat stress in livestock and ways to prevent it
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
As warm summer temperatures continue across Victoria, farmers are urged to take extra care of their livestock to prevent heat stress, a condition that can severely impact both animal welfare and production.
Cattle are most comfortable in temperatures between 5°C and 25°C, while adult pigs prefer a narrower range of just 18°C to 20°C.
High-producing animals, such as dairy cows, are especially vulnerable, and poultry have been known to succumb to extreme heat on scorching days.
Bushfire information
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
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by recent bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Emergency Relief Drinking Water program
Communities in bushfire affected areas and who are not on reticulated (town) water, may be eligible for a tank refill of up to 20,000 litres through the Emergency Relief Drinking Water program.
Your household may be eligible if you are not on reticulated (town) water and rely on tank water for domestic use, and your household tank has been impacted by fires.
Impacts may include that you’ve emptied your tank for fire-fighting purposes, or it may now contain ash or other contaminants.
Essential Water Replacement
In a bushfire FFMVic and CFA may need to take water from private property using tankers or aircraft to help put out fires.
If essential water is taken from your property, you can make a request for its replacement via the FFMVic website.
Essential water is water that is needed for:
- health of residents and pets
- Health and productivity and stock
- Agricultural and horticultural crops, permanent plantings and intensive industries.
Drought Support
Wellbeing counsellors
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 the north and south west.
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 735 578.
Find out more at wswrcs.com.au/
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Farm Advisory Service
Farmers from across the state have access to 2 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.
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open
In response to the bushfires and ongoing drought, Look Over the Farm Gate applications are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government. For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
For more information on bushfire support, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
Growing resilient, productive pastures for the future
Multispecies pastures are emerging as a powerful way to build more resilient and sustainable livestock systems. Our latest video explores how we’re generating Victorian specific evidence to help farmers adopt these systems with confidence.
At the Ellinbank SmartFarm, we’re trialling different pasture combinations of grasses, legumes and herbs and assessing them over time. Early results show promising benefits, including improved feed resilience during dry conditions, better soil health and potential reductions in livestock methane emissions.
The video also features a Gippsland farmer who is partnering with us to test the pastures in real world conditions. Their on-farm experience provides practical insights for farmers to consider in their own systems.
Watch Pastures for the future: Ellinbank SmartFarm's multispecies research now on YouTube.
2026 duck season bag limit
The Victorian Government has set a daily bag limit of 9 ducks per hunter for the 2026 duck hunting season.
The season length, as set out in the Victorian Government’s Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024, remains unchanged – opening at 8 am on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 and closing 30 minutes after sunset on Monday, 8 June 2026.
The daily hunting times are from 8 am until 30 minutes after sunset for the first 5 days, then from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset for the remainder of the season.
Seven game duck species can be hunted. They are Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Wood Duck, Mountain Duck, Hardhead and Pink-eared Duck.
The nine bird bag limit has been informed by modelling undertaken as part of Adaptive Harvest Management for game ducks in Victoria, which is now being used to inform sustainable duck hunting arrangements each year.
What's On
Calculate your farm emissions workshop
Date and time: Tuesday 24 February, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Wimmera CMA Office, 24 Darlot Street Horsham
Cost: Free
Join this practical session designed to help you understand your farm’s emissions and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Adam Buzza from Agriculture Victoria will lead this workshop, where you will have the opportunity to apply your own data into an emissions calculator, with guidance and support every step of the way.
Farmer's Day Out
When: Wednesday 225 March, 9:30 am - 5 pm
Where: Ballarat Showgrounds, 6 Rose Hill Road Mount Rowan
A chance to come together with others in the industry and build connections
Food featuring growers & producers from the Central Highlands region will be available to purchase throughout the day.
Online Farm Business Resilience Program
Date and time: Wednesday 25 February, 12 noon - 2:30 pm
Where: Online
The online Farm Business Resilience Program is supporting farmers to build on their knowledge and skills, strengthening their farm business to better manage the risks associated with a variable climate.
Facilitated by farm business consultants Rural People Co., this free online short course runs over 6 weeks, covering 5 modules:
- Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals (25 February)
- Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making (4 March)
- Module 3: Climate risk and natural resource management (11 March)
- Module 4: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety (18 March)
- Module 5: Business planning (1 April)
The program includes a one-on-one session, to be held between Modules 4 and 5, to review business plans. Participants are expected to attend all 5 online sessions.
GRDC Grains Research Update – Lake Bolac
When: Thursday 26 February, 9 am - 1 pm
Where: Lake Bolac Football Club
The GRDC Grains Research Update events are for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers to see and discuss the latest in research and to network with their peers about how to apply new and relevant information to the latest farming systems.
Fencing farm dams - webinar
Date and time: Thursday 26 February, 5:30 - 7 pm
Healthy dams and wetlands can increase on-farm productivity, biodiversity, livestock health and water security. When properly managed, they can also store carbon from our atmosphere, referred to as teal carbon.
Landcare members will share practical management steps you can take so healthy water is available for livestock, native plants and wildlife on your farm.
Confinement feeding sheep - Harrow
Date and time: Thursday 5 March, 9 am - 12 pm
Where: Harrow Bush Nursing Centre Function Room, 24 Blair Street Harrow
Come along and hear from Dr. Jillian Kelly about establishing and running a sheep confinement feeding area. Livestock nutrition, ration formulation, sheep management and animal health will be discussed.
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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