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Thursday 6 February 2025
Will emergency services be able to access your property
Make sure roadside numbers are visible, vegetation around gates, culverts and bridges has been cleared, and gates are wide enough and easy to open.
Check out the tips and templates on our website. Download a copy of the Farm Fire Preparedness Toolkit
Apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure grant today
Eligible drought-affected farmers in the south west can now apply for up to $5,000 in co-contribution grants to support establishing on-farm infrastructure such as:
- 💧 water infrastructure upgrades (pipes, tanks, troughs, dams)
- 🐑 stock containment areas
- 🌾 grain and fodder storage.
For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186
Japanese Encephalitis
A confirmed human case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been identified in a resident of northern Victoria, the first case of JE in Victoria this mosquito season.
JE virus has also been detected through environmental surveillance in northern Victoria along the Murray River, and in mosquitoes and feral pigs in New South Wales this summer.
These findings indicate that JE virus is likely circulating in northern Victoria this summer.
JE virus can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain and is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes.
Residents and people visiting northern Victoria, particularly inland riverine regions and near the Murray River, are potentially at higher risk of infection and should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.
Avoid mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent containing picaridin or diethyltoluamide (DEET) on all exposed skin. Wear long, loose fitting clothing when outside, and ensure accommodation, including tents are properly fitted with mosquito nettings or screens.
In Victoria, JE vaccine is available free-of-charge for specific groups at higher risk of exposure to the virus, including eligible people in 24 high-risk LGAs in northern Victoria.
Clinicians should test for JE virus in patients with compatible illness and notify the Department of Health immediately of suspected cases by calling 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
Get it right – is your animal fit to load?
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
It’s important to remember, if you are the person in charge of an animal it is your responsibility for its welfare. Community values and expectations will not accept anything less.
It always pleases me when someone reaches out to ask, ‘is this animal fit to load?’
If you are in doubt about an animal’s suitability for transport, you can always ask your private veterinarian the question also.
Furthermore, there is a Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) guideline titled ‘Is the animal fit to load?’. This guideline can be viewed on MLA’s website.
In summary, an animal is not fit to load if it’s:
- not able to walk normally or bear weight on all its legs. This may be due to a recent or old fracture, an injury, a deformity or an infection
- not strong enough to make the journey
- suffering from severe distress or injury
- in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport
- blind in both eyes
- in late pregnancy.
If you identify an animal that is unfit to load you have a few options. You could treat the animal and transport it when it has recovered and is fit to load. Naturally, this is not an option in cases that are not readily treatable.
Alternatively, you could humanely destroy the animal. A knackery service is available in many areas to help with this option.
Finally, you could consult a veterinarian and only transport under veterinary advice.
For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
AgTech Innovators
Welcome to the third and final season of AgTech Innovators.
How do AgTech start-ups connect with investors, researchers, and other complementary technologies?
To step it all out, Arianna Sippel from growAg, a platform that helps AgTech startups connect and grow domestically and internationally, joins us.
Be on the lookout for Brown marmorated stink bug
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging all Victorians to keep a lookout for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) to help respond to detections near the international ports and ensure the pest does not establish.
BMSB is a hitchhiker pest that tries to cross our borders by hiding inside imported shipping containers, machinery, goods and packaging – especially between September and April.
Tackling the Tough Topics
The National Centre for Farmer Health has recently released a handbook titled Tackling the Tough Topics outlining best practice guidelines to help individuals and groups plan successful farming community events with a mental health focus.
The guidelines seek to provide the knowledge, resources, and support needed to organise successful events and avoid potential problems that can be damaging to vulnerable individuals and/or their communities.
Monitor and manage your water – it’s a critical farm asset
Water is a precious commodity and with the current dry seasonal conditions it’s a critical farm asset to manage and monitor.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Christopher Blore said having the right quality of stock, domestic and commercial water, where you need it, when you need it and, in the quantity, you need, is critical for all farm businesses.
Small scale fixed and mobile abattoir eGuide
A clear and practical eGuide that outlines the necessary steps for people to pursue their own abattoir proposal is now available online.
The eGuide, ‘Small Scale Fixed and Mobile Abattoir guideline’, has been developed to assist farmers, consultants, and planners in navigating the approvals process for establishing on-farm, small scale fixed and mobile abattoirs.
Online Farm Business Resilience course commencing
Delivered by AgVic in partnership with Rural People Co, each session will commence at 12 pm and run for 2 to 3 hours.
Participants will be offered a one-on-one session with Adam Jenkins from Rural People Co. See module details below in What's On.
Funded by the Australian Government and Victorian Government through the Future Drought Fund, please contact Sarah Clack at sarah.clack@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 0417 316 345 for more information.
In case you missed it 📰
🍅Victoria's ToBRFV eradication response continues
Agriculture Victoria continues to respond to a recent detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) at a glasshouse tomato facility in northern Victoria.
What's On
Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.
VFF Stock Sense Goat Webinar Series 2025 - Session 2
Kidding, care of newborns and pregnancy toxaemia in goats with Dr Sandra Baxendell
Date: 6 Feb, 6 pm
Talk the Talk - Hamilton
Location: Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, 77 Kennedy Street, Hamilton
Date: 12 Feb, 10 am - 12 pm
Irrigation Farmers Network
Join IFN next Thursday at their summer cropping research site at Kerang to discuss and walk through results from trials on site for maize (grain and silage), sorghum, sunflowers, sun hemp, soybeans, lablab and mixes.
More info and RSVP at irrigationfn.com.au
Date: 13 Feb, 9-12 pm
Pasture Recovery Workshop
An event to assist farmers impacted by recent floods, fires and drought.
Location: 4 Codrington Street, Raglan
Date: 12 Feb, 2-6:30 pm
Online Farm Business Resilience Program
Join this online course to build knowledge and skills to strengthen your farm business and be better equipped to manage risks associated with a variable climate.
Date: 12 Feb, 12-3 pm
GRDC
Herbicide behaviour workshop
Location: Horsham Golf Club, Horsham
Date: 11-12 Feb
9 am start on day 1 - 1 pm finish on day 2
Grains Research Update
Location: Ulumbarra Theatre, Gaol Road, Bendigo
Date: 25-26 Feb, 9 am - 4 pm
On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot update
Join our upcoming webinar to hear from our On-Farm Emissions Action Plan pilot team. The team has been working with 250 farm businesses across Victoria to estimate their emissions profile and identify actions to manage and reduce emissions while maintaining productivity.
The team will provide an update and share insights on the emissions pilot and participant Jonathan Jenkin will discuss his experience with the program and how they have used their action plan and knowledge of their emissions to make changes on the farm.
Click here for more information and to stay up to date with our upcoming climate webinars.
Date: 27 February, 12-1 pm
HERD 25
Herd'25 is a biennial conference with a program tailored to attract the herd improvement, genetics and animal performance industry.
Location: All Seasons Resort Hotel, Bendigo
Date: 12-13 Mar
Looking after your livestock, looking after you
Farmers are invited to a one-day workshop to help keep your animals and you going during challenging times.
Locations: Goroke Community Centre, 85-101 Main St, Goroke
North Park Community Sports Centre, Lamont Street, Stawell
Dates: 13 Mar, 9 am - 3 pm (Goroke)
31 Mar, 9 am - 3 pm (Stawell)
All you need to know about water workshop
Everything you need to know about farm water.
Location: 2 Moyston Great Western Road, Moyston
Dates: 18 Mar and 25 Mar, 10 am - 3 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 the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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