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Thursday 13 August 2026
H5 bird flu update as cases spread to new regions
Reports from community members and land managers across the state continue to play a critical role in pinpointing new cases of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
A further 7 cases of H5 bird flu have been detected in greater crested terns in Phillip Island, Mildura, Warrnambool, Hamilton, Hawkesdale and St Andrews Beach. The new cases bring the total current number to 60 statewide.
Chief Biodiversity Officer James Todd said the detections in new parts of the state – including at Seal Rocks on Phillip Island – were significant developments, but ones that were anticipated based on the spread of the virus in the south-west of the state.
'These detections show us that the virus is continuing to move through wild bird populations, and its ability to move across large regions.'
Backing wildlife volunteers to respond to bird flu
The Victorian Government is providing more support for wildlife volunteers and organisations, following the detection of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes announced a $500,000 funding package for the wildlife sector.
It includes $250,000 for frontline wildlife rescuers and shelters and $250,000 for Wildlife Victoria.
The funding will help wildlife rescuers and carers buy personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies needed to meet strict biosecurity requirements.
Protecting Victoria's penguins from bird flu
The Victorian Government is moving quickly to protect Victoria’s little penguins from H5 bird flu.
Following the Commonwealth’s vaccine announcement, doses have arrived at Phillip Island and are ready to be administered early next week, pending final regulatory approvals.
More than 5,000 little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda are expected to be vaccinated as part of the program.
Victorians invited to help shape biosecurity in the state
Victorians with an interest in protecting and enhancing biosecurity are encouraged to apply for Biosecurity Reference Group (BRG).
Agriculture Victoria is seeking expressions of interest for the third term of the BRG, from 2026 to 2029.
The group brings together people from across Victoria to provide independent advice and support the implementation of Victoria's Biosecurity Strategy.
Prepare now for spring plague locust hatchings
The risk of plague locusts has increased across Victoria due to favourable autumn and winter conditions, more egg laying, and high locust numbers in New South Wales and South Australia. Egg hatching is expected to occur sooner than originally predicted.
Mallee: moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from mid-September.
Wimmera: low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from late September.
Now is the time to prepare:
• check paddocks, roadsides and bare or lightly grassed areas for egg beds
• learn what young locusts look like
• get your chemical and management plans ready.
Spraying is most effective about 2 weeks after hatching, when young locusts can’t fly and start to band together.
See locusts? Report them to us. Early reporting helps track locust movements and supports timely management responses.
Agricultural and pastoral society grants now open
The Victorian Government is backing agricultural and pastoral societies to help regional communities come together, support local economies and promote Victorian agriculture.
Minister Settle recently announced the opening of applications for this year’s Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program.
The grants provide successful applicants with up to $10,000.
This can be used to upgrade or build new facilities for community use and showcase project delivery that celebrates Victoria’s agricultural communities, industries and produce.
Celebrate National Biosecurity Week
National Biosecurity Week raises awareness and showcases the collaborative efforts of government, industry, peak bodies and the community in protecting the Australian way of life.
Bushfire recovery grants and concessional loans
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income.
Grants are open until 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Support before, during and after drought with RIC loans
Wherever you are in the drought cycle, a RIC Drought Loan can improve cash flow to help eligible farm businesses manage through, recover and prepare when faced with drought.
Or if you’re in prolonged drought that has affected your financials for 2 years or more, and you expect the impact to continue, you may be eligible for a RIC Drought Hardship Loan to pay for operating costs, with no repayments for the first 2 years of the 5-year loan. Interest is deferred in this time to be repaid with principal and interest from year 3.
What's On
Save the date: Getting ready for spring workshops
When: Monday 17 August, 10:15 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Shamrock Hotel, 5–13 Melville Street, Numurkah
When: Tuesday 18 August, 10:15 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Cohuna Bowls Club, Tennis Court Road, Cohuna
When: Tuesday 18 August, 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: KyClub, 82 Allan Street, Kyabram
Come along to hear the season and irrigation forecast and pick up ideas for making the most of spring and beyond.
- Dale Grey from Agriculture Victoria will discuss the seasonal forecast and what this could mean for the season ahead.
- Andrew Shield from Goulburn Murray Water will explain the current irrigation determinations and outlook for the 2026/27 season.
- Dennis Watson from Agriculture Victoria will run through the irrigation checklist and tips on making the most out of your irrigation water.
- Phil Shannon farm consultant, will explore the options available to your business and how you can implement these to make the most of the coming spring and beyond.
Registration is essential for catering purposes.
Email Richard Smith, Regional Manager Dairy Northern richard.m.smith@agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information.
Farming Forecaster webinar
When: Tuesday 18 August, 7–7:30 pm
Where: Online
Join Agriculture Victoria and South East Local Land Services (NSW) for a 30-minute webinar on Farming Forecaster, a decision support tool providing real-time soil moisture data and 3-month pasture production forecasts from sites across Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.
Hear from:
- Matt Lieschke, Senior Agricultural Adviser, South East Local Land Services
- Jane Court, Agriculture Victoria.
Enquiries to Jane Court: jane.court@agriculture.vic.gov.au
WorkSafe Noise basics workshop
When: Tuesday 18 August, Thursday 3 September, 9 am – 12 noon, Wednesday 9 September, 1–4 pm
Where: online
Noise Basics is a free education program helping Victorian employers who manage occupational health and safety (OHS) in small to medium businesses. Get practical tools to prevent noise-related injuries, improve safety and support a more productive workplace.
Future ready your farm business
When: Tuesday 18 August, 8:30 am – 12 pm
Where: Elmore Recreation Reserve, 2 Elmore-Mitiamo Road, Elmore
When: Wednesday 19 August, 8:30 am – 12 pm
Where: Raywood Town Hall, 50 Inglewood Street, Raywood
Agriculture Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo invite you to join a FREE 3-hour event to hear from Cath and Adam Jenkins from Rural People Co. A workshop aimed at helping farm business owners build confidence in leading people, have better conversations and plan for the future.
Morning tea and light lunch provided. Email zoe.tsenalidis@agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information.
Get RIC Ready free webinar
When: Wednesday 19 August, 12 pm
Where: online
RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) is hosting a free online Get RIC Ready webinar to help you understand if a RIC low interest loan is right for you and get prepared to apply, so you can take the next step with confidence.
The webinar is for farmers, advisers and industry representatives keen to find out more about RIC loan eligibility, how to apply, and how RIC loans can help farmers in financial need.
RIC Agri Lending Specialists and Rural Financial Counsellors will lead the session to answer your most frequently asked questions.
Can’t attend the live event? Register anyway and RIC will send you the webinar recording.
Recovering stronger workshop
When: Sunday 23 August, 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Bullioh Hall
Recovering Stronger is a free workshop for community members, farmers, business owners and volunteers to learn practical strategies for managing prolonged stress and supporting recovery after challenges such as fire or drought.
Delivered by Cynthia Mahoney on behalf of Agriculture Victoria, the workshop will explore how stress affects the brain and body, and provide evidence-based tools to improve wellbeing, clear thinking, relationships and confidence.
The workshop is supported through the Victorian Government's statewide Drought Support Package and funding from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
Managing rabbits in Chiltern – info session
When: Sunday 23 August, 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Chiltern Senior Citizens Hall, Conness Street, Chiltern
Cost: $5 per person
Chiltern Landcare Group invites locals to attend an engaging workshop on run by the Victorian Rabbit Action Network.
This interactive information session will involve an introduction to rabbit biology and ecology, and an overview of best practice rabbit management for peri-urban environments.
The information session will be followed by a ‘township walk’ where a number of properties will be visited with a discussion around the different advice and strategies needed for these properties.
Buying livestock with confidence
When: Friday 28 August, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Yea Saleyards
Join VFF Stock Sense at Yea Saleyards for a free practical workshop designed to help small landholders buy cattle, sheep or goats with confidence.
A stock agent/saleyard representative will cover choosing livestock to suit your property and experience level and what to consider when buying through saleyards, private sales or online platforms.
An Agriculture Victoria representative will also cover key PIC, NLIS, traceability and biosecurity requirements to help you bring new livestock home safely and avoid common compliance mistakes.
Disease Management Extension Network workshop – Mildura
When: Thursday 3 September from 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Mildura Golf Resort, 287 Twelfth Street, Mildura
Cost: $120
As fungicide resistance continues to emerge across southern Australian cropping systems, growers and advisers are being encouraged to strengthen their disease management strategies through a new series of Disease Management Extension Network (DMEN) workshops.
Future-proof your family farm business – Hopetoun
When: 3–4 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Hopetoun Golf Club, Hopetoun-Rainbow Road, Hopetoun
Hopetoun farmers are invited to a free 2-day workshop.
Learn practical planning skills to help prepare your farm business for the future. Build strategies to manage climate risk, strengthen resilience and create a more adaptable business.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke is an independent farm consultant, agri-strategist and educator. Kate has extensive experience in farm business management and works with farming families and businesses across a range of areas.
BCG’s Main Field Day 2026
When: Wednesday 9 September, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Where: Main Research Site at Birchip
Succession planning
When: Thursday 17 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Corryong Events Centre, 54 Strzelecki Way, Corryong
When: Friday 18 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Yarck Hall, 6583 Maroondah Highway, Yarck
Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.
Presented by Dr Kate Burke, an independent consultant with extensive experience in coaching and facilitating farm business strategy.
GRDC events
Visit the GRDC events page for upcoming events.
- 3 September Disease Management Extension Network workshop – Mildura
- 3 September FAR Australia NE VIC (Yarrawonga) Spring Field Walk
- 16 September GRDC Harvest Set up Workshop – Terrick Terrick
- 17 September GRDC Harvest Set up Workshop – Ultima
- 18 September GRDC Harvest Set up Workshop – Bridgewater
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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