Thursday 3 April 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.

Safe on-farm disposal of dead stock

Rachael Campbell, Dairy Industry Development Officer

Stock deaths occur periodically and farm managers are responsible for carcass disposal. Methods of disposal include knackery, rendering services or suitably licensed landfills. If these are not available, alternative biosecure options for use on-farm may include composting or burial.

If on-farm disposal is to be used, then forward planning with appropriate siting, infrastructure and management is critical to minimise any biosecurity, environmental or other risks.

Burying carcasses on the farm may be the most appropriate option, depending on the circumstances.

Stringent guidelines apply to appropriate burial sites, so they don’t adversely affect the land, surface or ground waters or the air.

Detailed information on setback distances and other requirements can be found in the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) document Farm waste management.

The other on-farm option is composting of carcasses. In line with EPA guidance, when the average number of mortalities doesn’t exceed one tonne per month, then a composting pile is appropriate.

When mortalities exceed this threshold, bin composting should be considered. Bin composting requires more dedicated infrastructure.

Detailed information on pile and bin composting can be found in the EPA’s Composting mortalities on farm guidance.

It’s important to realise composting is an active process, not a set-and-forget method. Failing to monitor and follow established composting techniques will result in an increased risk of harm to the land or the environment and a substandard final product.

Agriculture Victoria can provide guidance to farmers about on-farm disposal options in consultation with the EPA.

In the event of unusual signs or suspected cases of emergency animal disease, please report them immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.

If an emergency animal disease outbreak is declared, Agriculture Victoria is responsible for the destruction and disposal of animal carcasses, including those that can be buried on-farm.

Further information on farm biosecurity and animal disease is available on the Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases

Victorian tech start-ups take on circular agriculture

The Victorian Government is working with the state’s brightest technology start-ups to develop innovative new solutions to challenges facing the agriculture sector.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the new CivVic Labs challenge theme would be circular agriculture – with a focus on how technology can be used to maximise efficiency, minimise waste, and unlock new revenue streams.

Delivered by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency and funded by Agriculture Victoria, the CivVic Labs challenge brings together 10 start-ups for an intensive six-week bootcamp, where they receive $15,000 in equity-free funding and specialist advice and support to refine their ideas.

The buck stops here – with the owner and person in charge

Owners or persons in charge of livestock have a responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare needs of their livestock and animals are met.

Agriculture Victoria Program Manager of Livestock and Welfare Compliance Veronica Campbell said this includes providing animals with proper and sufficient food, ensuring sick or injured animals are provided with appropriate attention or treatment, and basic husbandry practices such as shearing are carried out.

‘While we know the majority of farmers are doing the right thing, livestock producers who don’t take appropriate action to prevent and address animal welfare issues can face regulatory action, including prosecution for offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.’

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

For information on dry seasonal and drought support go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons.

In case you missed it 📰

Media releases and articles

• H7 avian influenza restrictions reduced in northern Victoria

Webinars

• Webinar recording: Implications of climate change on various Mallee horticultural crops Password: Climate

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found our website.

Webinar – Soil moisture, monitoring wind erosion and seasonal outlook 

Join us online Thursday 10 April at noon for a webinar with our seasonal agronomists Dale Grey and Dale Boyd and the Wind Erosion and Land Management project team.

The webinar includes: 

• 2024 season review – key insights for the Wimmera Mallee  
• 2024 wind erosion and land management observations – findings from the recent Mallee survey  
• Satellite technology – how remote sensing is used to monitor ground cover and obtain crop type estimates  
• Historical break timings – case studies on Berriwillock and Longerenong  
• 2025 seasonal outlook – current soil moisture levels and key insights for the Wimmera Mallee.

Birchip Cropping Group 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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