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Thursday 23 July 2026
New heights for H5 bird flu surveillance
DEECA is using helicopter-mounted cameras to monitor Victoria's coastline and detect possible H5 bird flu cases in wild birds and wildlife.
Detections of H5 bird flu on Australian shores reinforce the need for continued surveillance, preparedness and prompt reporting of sick or dead wild birds and wildlife.
As part of Victoria’s ongoing surveillance efforts, DEECA is using a helicopter-mounted high-resolution and thermal imaging camera to scan coastal areas and identify possible H5 bird flu cases.
Flights began in July, with initial operations focused on Victoria’s south-west in response to the detection of H5 bird flu in Robe, South Australia, near the Victorian border.
Crews have also monitored areas known to support large seal and seabird colonies, including Mud Islands, Phillip Island, Western Port, Port Phillip Bay and the Gippsland coast.
Support to help you reset and recover after drought
Victorian farmers are encouraged to access support as they recover from drought and plan for the seasons ahead.
Agriculture Victoria Executive Director Dougal Purcell said recovery is not the same for every farm, with each business facing its own circumstances and timeline. Many farmers are also continuing to manage seasonal uncertainty and financial pressures.
'We are supporting farmers to stabilise, rebuild and make practical decisions that strengthen their businesses over time.
Update your PIC for the new financial year
More than 57,000 updates were made to Victoria’s Property Identification Code (PIC) register last year, highlighting the importance of keeping property details current.
With the new financial year now underway, Agriculture Victoria is encouraging livestock owners to check that their PIC details are up to date.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Traceability Manager, Ben Fahy, said a PIC is required for every property where livestock are kept.
Agriculture Victoria staff will be available at Sheepvention in Hamilton on August 2 and 3 to help landholders update their PIC details in person.
National Biosecurity Week coming up
National Biosecurity Week 2026 takes place from 24-30 August and highlights the crucial role biosecurity plays in safeguarding our food supply, agricultural industries, communities, environment and the economy.
7 days of awareness, 365 days of action.
Dairy farmers reminded to be rain ready
EPA Victoria is reminding dairy farmers that with winter well under way, now is the time to check effluent systems and prepare for the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding.
EPA’s Director of Regional Operations, Dan Hunt, said winter conditions could put extra pressure on effluent systems and increase the risk of pollution if farms are not prepared.
'Proper management of dairy effluent is important for protecting waterways, neighbouring properties and the broader environment,' he said.
Seen sick or dead birds or wildlife? Avoid. Record. Report
H5 bird flu has not been detected in Victoria, but community reports play an important role in helping us monitor for signs of disease.
Each report DEECA receives is reviewed and assessed using information such as the species, number of birds affected, location and disease risk.
Not all reports will lead to an investigation, collection or testing. Where further action is needed, we may contact you for more information or arrange collection and testing.
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife, avoid contact, record its exact location and report it online or call 1800 675 888.
You can also view reports on our online map and follow surveillance activity across the state.
Support is available for farmers in fire recovery
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.
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 two years of the 5-year loan. Interest is deferred in this time to be repaid with principal and interest from year three.
RIC has helpful tools and information to understand loan products and eligibility before applying. If in doubt please don't self-assess. It’s important to start a conversation with RIC’s agri lending team about your individual business situation.
Aboriginal business procurement information session
When: Thursday 30 July, 12-1 pm
Location: online
Cost: free
Join Agriculture Victoria and Kinaway Chamber of Commerce for an online information session. Learn how Aboriginal businesses can supply goods and services to Agriculture Victoria.
What you will learn:
- what Agriculture Victoria buys
- where we work across Victoria
- where procurement opportunities may be available
- how our procurement processes work
- future opportunities and support available
Why you should attend
- understand how procurement supports the Victorian Government’s Pupangarli Marnmarnepu – Owning Our Future strategy
- learn how the strategy creates more opportunities for Aboriginal businesses
- get practical tips on working with Agriculture Victoria
Who should attend
- Aboriginal-owned businesses
- Traditional Owner Corporations
Be Work Ready – Jobs on Farms
When: Commencing Tuesday 4 August 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, running for 5 sessions, concluding Thursday 13 August
Where: Heyfield Community Resource Centre, 5 George Street, Heyfield
Looking to start a rewarding career in agriculture? Our locally focused training course is designed to help you gain the practical skills and confidence needed to step into jobs across a variety of ag-based sectors. With strong industry connections and support to make the first steps into employment, you’ll be better prepared to secure real job opportunities in your community.
- local farm tours
- meet industry representatives
- support with resume writing and interview skills
- TAFE training pathways.
Work visa pathways for employers webinar
When: Tuesday 28 July, 5–6 pm
Where: Online
When: Thursday 30 July, 8:30–9:30 am
Where: Online
The Department of Home Affairs, through its Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) network, invites you to join our upcoming sessions on employing overseas workers in Australia.
The sessions will help employers understand the main visa pathways available, when sponsorship may be required, how labour agreements operate, and how to check a worker’s visa conditions and work rights.
Both webinars cover the same content so you only need to register for one session.
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.
AI in horticulture workshops – Maffra and Cranbourne
Date and time: Tuesday 25 August, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Maffra
Date and time: Wednesday 26 August, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Cranbourne
Victorian growers are invited to a practical demonstration on how AI can be used to support horticulture - from farm to packing shed and beyond.
Learn from 2 presenters about a wide variety of uses for AI, including: the different AI options available - cost, pros/cons etc privacy and data protection using AI to analyse farm and factory data AI in meetings, the pack-shed and much more.
The event will be tailored to grower questions - tell us how you would like AI to support your farming operations. Minimal cost input for maximum efficiency output.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Food & Fibre Gippsland's events on their website.
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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