Thursday 6 November 2025

What’s in your fire preparedness plan this season?

If you missed our webinar, make yourself a cuppa and take some time to listen. Kylie Macreadie discusses key preparedness activities and the tools and templates you can use to plan ahead.

Farmers who have been impacted by fire also share stories and insights of putting their plans into action. Hear from:

• Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood, horticulture business owners, Beaufort Victoria
• Doug and Jan James, livestock producers, Bungeet Victoria.

Federal investment bolsters H5 bird flu preparedness

Victoria is ramping up its biosecurity defences against H5N1 bird flu, with new federal support to boost emergency preparedness and rapid response capabilities.

As part of a $100 million national biosecurity package, the Australian Government is investing $1.7 million in equipping Victoria with testing technology and specialised field response tools.

The funding will provide Victoria with crucial frontline equipment, including a PCR unit and other laboratory tools for rapid testing, as well as generators, decontamination trailers and specialised field equipment to support emergency response operations across multiple sites.

Australia remains free from the H5N1 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5 bird flu. This strain is currently circulating overseas. It mainly affects birds, but can also affect other animals, and, on rare occasions, humans.

Ongoing outbreaks of H5 bird flu globally have increased the level of risk to Australia for incursions of this virus. Annual migration of wild birds will continue to be a risk for introducing new avian influenza viruses to Australian birds.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is working with other government agencies, land managers and other relevant organisations to prepare for a H5N1 bird flu detection in Victoria.

Work continues with the poultry industry, wildlife experts and land managers to monitor for signs of the virus within wildlife and develop mitigation strategies to protect high-risk wildlife species.

Victoria’s agricultural industry is backed by a $36.7 million Victorian Budget 2025/26 investment to make sure the state is well prepared to respond to biosecurity threats and emergency diseases now and into the future, including avian influenza.

Take stock of your water reserves

With summer on the way, now is an ideal time to take stock of your water reserves.

Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels recommends that farmers consider the following questions:

• What is the condition of dams on my farm?
• How many are full, how many are yet to recover from the drought?
• How do they compare to the same time last year?
• Are water levels rising or falling?
• How do my stock numbers compare?

Improving our animal welfare sector and safety

The Victorian Government is strengthening the animal welfare sector to better support our shelters and animal rehoming organisations and their dedicated volunteers.

The Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025 passed the Victorian Parliament as a part of our ongoing efforts to promote consistent animal welfare and management standards.

A new era for industrial hemp in Victoria

The Victorian Government is opening the door to a new sustainable hemp industry by considering ways to make it easier for Victorian farmers to grow hemp and seize the growing opportunities in this market.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently launched public consultation on proposed new legislation, inviting Victorians to share their priorities for the industry, what’s working under current laws and ideas for improvement. 

Hemp is a fast-growing crop, and fibres and seeds can be used for a wide range of products, including building materials, packaging, biofuels, textiles, seed oils and other food products. 

Industrial hemp is currently regulated under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, which exempts licensed growers from cannabis-related offence when cultivating and processing hemp for non-therapeutic use.

Largest Australian duck tracking research project takes flight

The Game Management Authority (GMA) and Deakin University are conducting new research to better understand the movements, survival and behaviour of Victoria’s most important game duck species.

The research involves attaching small solar-powered satellite tracking devices to over 400 individual game ducks from four game duck species over three years. Duck species to be fitted with the trackers are Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal.

The lightweight tracking devices capture information about the duck’s location, movement, breeding, feeding and resting patterns 24 hours a day and will send the information to GMA and Deakin University researchers via mobile phone network.

GMA Research Principal Dr Jason Flesch said this is the largest study of the movement and survivorship of game ducks undertaken in Australia.

'This project aims to identify the drivers of game duck movement in relation to fluctuating environmental conditions, including water availability, in the Australian landscape. It will also record how long game ducks survive,' Dr Flesch said.

'This vital knowledge will be used with other research to inform Adaptive Harvest Management of game ducks in Victoria, which is being implemented to ensure duck hunting in Victoria remains sustainable.'

The benefits of this research extend beyond hunting. This research will provide a greater understanding of the movement of ducks across Australia and the relationship between habitat and behaviours, which will help improve the management of waterbirds and their habitats.

Deakin University Professor Marcel Klaassen said the knowledge gained from this research will also be used to grow our understanding on the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, such as avian influenza and Japanese encephalitis.'

'By modelling game duck movements, we will, for instance, be able to predict how the highly pathogenic form of avian influenza currently impacting wildlife and poultry populations globally may spread, should it arrive in Australia,' said Professor Klaassen.

'The research began in June 2025 and will continue to 2028. Approximately 60 ducks have been fitted with trackers to date.'

Members of the public can follow the progress of the research, see where the ducks are travelling, view interviews with researchers and get more information about the project.

For information on AHM for game ducks in Victoria, visit Adaptive Harvest Management for game duck hunting in Victoria.

What's On

Turning weed control into pasture success

Join a field day to look at the results of a 3-year MLA funded demonstration site into improving pasture quality and productivity through effective weed control.

When: Friday, 7 November from 11 am to 2 pm

Where: ‘Holstons’ 1119 Buchan – Ensay Road, Ensay

Topics will include:

• Controlling weeds prior to perennial pasture establishment.
• Nutrient management to maintain productive pastures
• Grazing management for persistence
• Comparing pasture quality and impact on livestock production.

Presenters

• Nicole Frost  - Agronomist PEAK Pasture and Livestock
• Fiona Baker – Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer

Light lunch provided.

Practical soil health solutions for beef and sheep in the Omeo, Benambra landscape

When: Monday 10 November, 11 am to 4 pm 
Where: 1702 Benambra Rd, Benambra

The workshop will highlight region-specific insights and opportunities for producers in the Omeo and Benambra area.

Topics covered:

• Soil pit inspection and discussion
• Physical and chemical barriers in soil
• Pasture root behaviour and growth limitations
• Soil carbon’s role in moisture retention and soil health
• The connection between soil carbon and emissions
• Soil pH testing, lime applications, and overall fertility
• The importance of ground cover and topsoil protection
• Selecting pasture species to optimise rainfall capture.

Dr Cassanda Schefe, AgriSci Pty Ltd, will present the session. Dr Schefe is a soil scientist with over 25 years’ experience in identifying and addressing soil constraints in agriculture, with expertise and experience spanning from synchrotrons to soil pits.

Webinar: Intro to lean and drought support business planning 

When: Tuesday 11 November, 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.

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

Lardner Park Beef Day

When: Friday 14 November, 8:30 am - 2:45 pm
Where: Lardner Park 
Ticket Price: $35

Join Lardner Park for the 50th Anniversary Steer Trial Final Day - a celebration of beef, knowledge, and community.

• Expert Insights: learn what makes the difference between a top-quality carcass and one that misses the mark, hear the latest industry analysis from Simon Quilty, and gain culinary perspectives from Coles Ambassador and MasterChef Michael Weldon.
• Special Guest: former AFL star and Essendon captain Dyson Heppell shares his story.
• See the Cattle: witness the final weighing of this year’s steers and the results of Australia’s only grass-fed Steer Trial.
• Taste and Connect: enjoy a beef-focused lunch, network with industry leaders, and share in engaging stories and demonstrations.

Morning tea water webinar series: All you need to know about water

Grab a cuppa and join this series of 5 informal presentations every Tuesday from 18 November to 16 December. The sessions will be relaxed with plenty of opportunities for you to share your knowledge and experience.

The first webinar is on Tuesday, 18 November, from 10 to 11 am.

Participants are encouraged to attend all five 5 sessions, though you only need to register once. Each webinar runs from 10 to 11 am:

• Tuesday 18 November
• Tuesday 25 November
• Tuesday 2 December
• Tuesday 9 December
• Tuesday 16 December.

The sessions will be led by Clem Sturmfels, Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer. Clem has over 45 years experience in the design, construction and repair of farm dams and the design of farm pipelines.

While the formal sessions will focus on a few key topics, participants will also have access to range of other recordings, videos and associated resources.

Topics will include:

• Water self-assessment
• Water planning
• Farm dams
• Pipeline layout and design
• Installation and construction.

Down to earth farm field day

When: Thursday 20 November, 10 am to 2 pm  
Where: Malabar Farm, 1720 Buffalo-Waratah Rd, Tarwin Lower. 

Jenny and Paul O’Sullivan invite you to Malabar Farm to share their valuable insights into sustainable farming. Hear how critical decisions have benefited their bottom line and shaped their farming philosophy.

Alison Kelly, Agriculture Victoria will explain the process of estimating your farm greenhouse gas emissions, and the power of ‘knowing your number’.

Peter Ronalds, Inspired Ag Solutions will dive into long-term soil test results and explore how recent dry conditions may have impacted carbon levels. 

Trees on farm – Boosting productivity and cutting net emissions

Join our climate webinar to hear about how integrating trees into livestock systems can deliver real productivity gains and help reduce farm emissions.

When: Monday 24 November – 12 pm

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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