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Thursday 21 August 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.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Find more information about the Victorian Government’s drought support at: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
On-farm Kangaroo Control Rebate Program
Farmers who have livestock competing with kangaroos for fodder can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate now.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution.
Rebates are to be used to engage professional harvesters (authorised by the Game Management Authority) to control eastern and western grey kangaroos under an Authority To Control Wildlife.
Look over the farm gate event grants
The Look Over the Farm Gate grants help communities come together to promote social connection and support mental health and wellbeing during drought.
The program is coordinated by the National Centre for Farmer Health and is offering grants of up to $5,000 to help local organisations run events that bring together and support farmers, farming families and communities under stress.
To apply for a grant visit farmerhealth.org.au/look-over-the-farm-gate
Employment opportunities for drought affected Ag sector
Farmers, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by the ongoing drought conditions in the south west can now apply to be part of the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program.
The Victorian government funded program, delivered in the Corangamite and Glenelg Hopkins CMA regions, provides meaningful off-farm employment opportunities for people experiencing hardship because of dry conditions – either through reduced hours, profitability or loss of employment – to take on a role with their CMA over the next 12 months.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA CEO Adam Bester said the program enables not only drought affected workers to be employed but gives their usual employers time to get back on their feet.
Strengthening food security in Victoria
The Victorian Government is strengthening planning rules to support and secure food production and protect our agricultural land and green wedge as Melbourne grows.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced an amendment to the Victorian Planning Provisions to make it easier to establish micro-abattoirs where they are needed most.
Under the amendment, micro-abattoirs will be classified as a Section 1 use in the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone and Green Wedge Zone, which means they will no longer require a permit – making it faster and easier for projects to get off the ground and operate if they meet regulatory requirements.
This will make sure farmers and producers have better access to abattoir facilities closer to the farm gate subject to environmental, amenity and human health conditions – helping secure Victoria’s food supply.
Travellers urged to check luggage for hitchhiking toads
An unexpected guest has been found in a Melbourne motel room – and it wasn’t on the booking list.
Agriculture Victoria is urging travellers to thoroughly check their luggage for unwanted stowaways after an Asian black-spined toad was recently discovered at a city motel.
Meanwhile, accommodation providers are also being asked to remain vigilant and report any unusual sightings, as these invasive pests may escape from travellers’ belongings and pose a threat to local wildlife and the environment.
These toads, along with geckos and other exotic species, are increasingly arriving in Victoria by hiding in shoes, bags and boxes.
‘Asian black-spined toads are not native to Australia and have the potential to carry diseases, compete with native species and become a threat to local biodiversity,’ Agriculture Victoria Director Plants, Chemicals and Invasives Sharyn Williams said.
‘We’re asking travellers and motel staff to be alert. A quick check of your luggage could help stop an invasive species from spreading.’
Travellers can help by checking shoes, bags and boxes before and after travel and reporting any unusual sightings.
If you suspect you’ve found an Asian black-spined toad, do not touch it with your bare hands, contain it safely if possible and report it immediately to Agriculture Victoria by calling 136 186 or emailing highrisk.invasiveanimals@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
‘Sometimes the Asian black spined toad can be confused with native frog species like the pobblebonk frog. If you’re not sure, head to our website where you can find pictures and detailed descriptions of different frog species,’ Ms Williams said.
Avoid losses from exposure following shearing
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
It is well known that wool is an excellent insulator, therefore imagine the effect when it’s suddenly gone.
A freshly shorn sheep, especially if in light condition, may experience a threefold increase in heat loss and therefore prone to hypothermia. Shorn sheep are at greatest risk of cold stress in the first 3 days (or nights) after shearing, and remain at risk for up to 2 weeks, with mortalities seen in some mobs up to 4 weeks after shearing.
Although there is little wool growth, acclimatisation and considerable skin thickening occurring after shearing. It is therefore essential to closely monitor predicted weather conditions before putting shorn sheep into a paddock after shearing.
The impact of cold weather, particularly when combined with wet and windy conditions, can be severe for sheep.
The impact of the cold weather will depend on its duration, rainfall, wind speed, and temperature.
The type of weather most likely to cause catastrophic sheep losses due to hypothermia is usually associated with the passage of a strong cold front or a rain-bearing depression.
Sheep grazier alerts are issued when a combination of rain, wind, and low temperatures reaches a critical level.
If a sheep grazier alert has been received at the end of shearing, shed as many sheep as possible and provide hay for the duration. Once the bad weather has passed, move the sheep to a paddock with adequate shelter and continue to provide supplementary feed.
In areas prone to winter storms, a 'cover comb' or 'snow comb' can be used, which leaves ½ cm of wool to help protect against hypothermia.
Once freshly shorn sheep get cold, they may become extremely difficult to move, so always put shorn sheep into a protected paddock with plenty of shelter from the cold and wind.
Off-shears paddocks should be small and well protected from cold winds by relatively impermeable shelter belts. Extra feed should be provided to the mob for up to 4 weeks following shearing to meet their increased energy requirements.
Shearing a month before lambing encourages ewes to seek shelter and hence protection for their lambs. However, pre-lambing shearing must only be considered if ewes are in good condition and have free access to good feed and shelter. Heavily pregnant ewes should not be subject to the handling and feed deprivation that shearing involves.
For further information, please contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
Growing Victoria's plantations estate to its strength
The Victorian Government is fast tracking the establishment of timber plantations in Victoria, helping to boost local timber supply for construction and manufacturing and create more jobs.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $10 million as part of the Victorian Plantation Support Program to establish new long-rotation timber plantations.
This additional funding will be for projects approved under select rounds of the Commonwealth’s Support Plantation Establishment Program.
Victorian growers looking to develop new plantations can receive up to $1,000 per hectare under the program to assist with plantation establishment activities. Combined with the Commonwealth program, new plantations of 20 hectares or more in Victoria can receive up to $3,000 per hectare, with a cap of up to $200,000 per project.
Summer of Cyber Program
Summer of Cyber is a Victorian Government program being delivered in partnership with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN).
The program is boosting the cyber capabilities and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses and startups across all sectors, including technology. It aims to bridge the cyber skills gap by connecting businesses with skilled women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates.
The program works by matching businesses with women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates to solve cyber-related challenges over 10-12 weeks, at no financial cost to the business.
To participate, businesses will need a cyber-related problem or project that needs solving. Businesses are also expected to provide in-kind support including:
- mentoring and guidance to students
- holding meetings with the project team and being involved in the process; and
- providing a desk and equipment for the student (if permitted).
Ag Vic Talk season 10
We are joined by Jason Letchford from the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia and Craig French from Australian Wool Innovation.
In this Farming Safe and Well episode, they discuss the key safety issues in the shearing industry, including musculoskeletal injuries, exposure to viruses, and the importance of improved shearing shed safety.
Learn about the SafeSheds program and practical strategies for enhancing safety and productivity in shearing sheds.
🎧 Listen to this inspiring episode to gain valuable insights from industry experts on enhancing safety and productivity in shearing sheds.
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Setting Strategies for farm business success
When: 26-27 August, 9 am — 3 pm
Where: Millewa Community Complex, Lake Cullulleraine
Topics:
- What an effective business plan is and how to define success
- Cashflow management
- Dealing with downturns
- How to undertake a business fitness check
- Identifying success drivers and benchmarking
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to learn more and register.
Intro to lean and drought support business planning
When: 27 August, 12.30-2 pm
This free webinar is designed for business owners and management teams seeking practical tools, fresh perspective, and support to begin planning for a stronger, more sustainable future for their business.
Led by Moshie, you’ll be introduced to a tailored suite of tools and templates for green-industry businesses, including:
- business planning templates and self-assessment tools
- resources to help identify waste and opportunities for improvement
- labour costing and overhead calculators
- strategies for building drought resilience and long-term business sustainability.
2025 Wimmera Biodiversity Seminar: Creatures of the Night
When: Thursday 4 September, 12.30-9 pm
Where: 208 Golf Course Road, Dimboola
The Wimmera Biodiversity Seminar is back for its 28th edition with the theme 'Creatures of the Night'.
Meet in Dimboola for an informative day ranging from glow in the dark fungi to the night's fascinating critters.
The seminar includes an afternoon session, an evening tour, and an optional dinner.
Keynote speaker is Lindy Lumsden from the Arthur Rylah Institute. Lindy has been conducting ecological research on insectivorous bats for over 40 years. The focus of her research is to understand more about both threatened and non-threatened species, to improve their management and conservation.
Virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly – 23 September
When: Tuesday 26 August, Tuesday 9 September, Tuesday 23 September
Time: 9-10 am
Drought smokos are an hour a fortnight to get away from the paddock and catch up with a group of farmers who are all in the same boat!
We will talk about the science of feeding, how much, which commodities, pros and cons, cost, different options, trigger points and planning.
Dr Jillian Kelly is a vet and nutritionist from Coonamble, in north-west NSW. She ran drought smokos every fortnight through the 2018–20 drought and it made a difference to hundreds of farmers and thousands of livestock.
Australasian Seed Science Conference 2025
When: 22 - 25 September
Where: Horsham
ASSC 2025 offers a platform to explore cutting-edge research, share new technologies, and exchange ideas on common scientific, legal, and policy challenges in seed conservation and use.
The program will feature diverse topics including:
- Revitalisation of traditional food systems through Indigenous leadership
- Policy frameworks enabling access to, and sustainable use of, plant genetic resources
- Advances in germinating and conserving hard-to-propagate species
- The role of genomics and digital tools in climate adaptation and crop recovery.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead - and be part of seeding innovation for a more resilient future.
3 September, 1-1:35 pm GRDC Grains Research Update, online – Legacy effects of vetch, plus a hay market update
23 September, 9 am - 3 pm GRDC Harvester Set Up Workshop – Horsham
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
When: 5 September, 5-11 pm
Where: The Logan Pub, 6742 Wimmera Highway, Logan
When: 12 September, 5-6 pm
Where: Hopetoun Recreation Reserve, Strachan Street, Hopetoun
Farmers night off – Logan and Hopetoun
Join us for a free, in-person session designed to support individuals and farm businesses navigating challenging times. This event brings together practical business advice, financial support options and wellbeing strategies – all aimed at building resilience.
Topics
- Business advice and grant guidance from Richard Bales (Dundee Swanwater Consulting)
- Mental health strategies with Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer
- Support from East Wimmera Health Service, Rural Financial Counselling Service, and Authentic Conversations
- Farmer-to-farmer networking
Free food – and drinks at bar prices. Please register before Monday 8 September for catering requirements.
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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