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Thursday 24 September 2026
Locust response - current situation
Locust hatching has begun in northern Mallee
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging landholders and managers to ramp up their surveillance efforts as locust egg hatching has begun in parts of the northern Mallee.
Agriculture Victoria’s Incident Management Team Incident Controller Alex Perera said now that young locusts have been detected, it’s important for landholders and managers to conduct surveillance of their properties to understand their specific situation.
‘Where land managers see hatching has occurred, they should begin preparing to treat using registered chemicals that suit their specific needs.
‘Spraying will be most effective around 2 weeks after hatching, when young locusts are on the ground and banding together but not yet flying.
‘Ground spraying with an approved insecticide is the most effective way to manage locusts and protect crops and pastures,’ she said.
Seen locusts or signs of locust activity? Report them online. Your report helps us monitor locust populations and support early management efforts across Victoria.
Report via our website form or call 136 186.
If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them.
Avoid direct contact.
Record what you see.
Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or using the online form.
Report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.
Report even one sick or dead:
- wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
- marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin).
New H5 bird flu cases detected in fur seals
New cases of H5 bird flu have been confirmed in two fur seals in Victoria following ongoing surveillance activities and reports from the community.
Supporting H5 preparedness and poultry welfare reforms
With H5 bird flu continuing to pose a biosecurity threat, the Victorian Government is giving poultry producers more time to prepare for new poultry welfare regulations.
The regulations will now be introduced in mid-2027, allowing industry and government to maintain their immediate focus on H5 preparedness and biosecurity.
The existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2016 will apply during the extension.
Investigating wildlife deaths on Mud Islands
Testing has returned a negative result for H5 bird flu at Mud Islands in Port Phillip Bay, after aerial surveillance identified a small number of dead pelicans.
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) completed further ground surveillance last week and sampled the pelicans.
The negative result for bird flu at Mud Islands contributes to our ongoing efforts to monitor how bird flu is spreading and where we can expect to see further impacts. We will continue monitoring Mud Islands and other significant areas.
Requirement to prevent poultry contact with wild birds extended
As H5 bird flu continues to spread among wild birds along much of Victoria's coastline, the requirement for targeted biosecurity measures to be implemented in southern parts of the state has been extended for another 28 days from 19 September 2026.
Under the requirement, those who own or are in control of 50 or more poultry in southern local government areas, including metropolitan Melbourne, must continue to confine their birds in a manner to prevent contact with wild birds, their droppings and any environments accessed by wild birds.
Keep pests away from bird feed and housing
Reduce the risk by: • Storing poultry feed in sealed containers
• Cleaning up feed spills promptly
• Keeping grass and weeds short around coops and runs
• Removing rubbish, unused equipment and other hiding places
• Checking regularly for signs of rodents or other pests
• Using safe pest control where needed
Less food and shelter for pests means less opportunity for disease to spread.
Find more practical biosecurity measures online: agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu
Drought support
As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.
Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:
The Farm Advisory Service - up to two sessions with a consultant to support business decision-making and farm management.
Applications are open until funds are fully allocated or 30 September 2026, whichever comes first.
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, click the button below or phone 136 186.
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.
Grant applications close 4 pm, 21 October.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Farm Business Resilience program
Want practical ideas you can put to work on your farm?
The Farm Business Resilience Program can help you plan and work through practical decisions about production, water, cash flow, people and farm risks.
Learn alongside other farmers and experts and put plans into action that suit your farm.
Rebates to improve digital connectivity for primary producers
The On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 assists primary producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety.
The grant is provided as a rebate to approved suppliers following the sale, delivery, installation, and training, where applicable, of eligible equipment to eligible primary producers. Eligible primary producers must access the program through an approved supplier.
A rebate of up to $20,000 (ex GST) is available to cover up to 50% of the eligible purchase price of eligible equipment.
Applications close 5 pm, Thursday 15 October.
RIC loans
RIC low-interest loans support Australian farm businesses involved in the agricultural, horticultural, pastoral, apicultural (beekeeping) or aquacultural industries.
Visit the RIC website for an overview of eligible industries.
Plan ahead for the fire season
The Inquiry into the January 2026 bushfires found that ‘Strategically located water tanks can assist in protecting assets during major fire events, particularly where mains water supplies fail or natural water sources are limited’.
Your plan should include consideration for your water supply failing.
If this happens, then having access to full water tanks in key locations around the farm will help protect your assets.
Elmore Field Days
Are you planning on visiting the Elmore Field Days? Drop in and have a chat with us!
We'll be there from 6-8 October at site 353 to answer your questions about animal health, invasive pests and weeds, locusts and bird flu and will have plenty of information on hand to assist with drought support too.
Hope to see you there!
What's On
Online Farm Business program
When: Every Wednesday, commencing 14 October, concluding 18 November from 12 noon – 2 pm
Where: online
The online Farm Business program helps farmers strengthen knowledge and skills to better manage variable climate risks effectively.
Join other farm business owners and managers for a free short course starting mid October and running over 6 weeks.
Led by farm business consultants Rural People Co, the program consists of 5 modules:
- Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals
- Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making
- Module 3: Climate risk and natural resource management
- Module 4: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety
- Module 5: Business planning
More details at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.
Success with succession planning
When: Tuesday 6 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Elmhurst Golf Club, Golf Course Road, Elmhurst
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.
Farm Fire Preparedness
When: Monday 5 October 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Molesworth Public Hall, 4364 Goulburn Valley Highway, Molesworth
When: Thursday 8 October, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Osbornes Flat Hall, 315 Osbornes Flat Road, Osbornes Flat
Livestock owners are invited to attend a practical workshop to help prepare their property for bushfires.
Participants will:
- learn key actions to take before, during and after a fire event
- hear expert advice on farm infrastructure, property preparedness, livestock management, business continuity and recovery
- use planning templates and an A3 farm map to support their own bushfire preparedness
- gain additional skills and knowledge needed to help shape future bushfire preparedness workshops and training opportunities.
Places are limited, register by Thursday 1 October.
Pre-harvest People Check
When: Monday 12 October 7 pm
Where: Online
Join Agriculture Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo for a free webinar with Cath Jenkins from Rural People Co. and discover practical ways to improve communication, accountability and productivity in your workplace.
Perfect for anyone working with employees, contractors or family members this coming harvest.
Soils, Pasture and Feed
When: Tuesday 13 October 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Callamondah, 7909 Maroondah Highway, Merton
Join Aziza Coridas, Agriculture Victoria Agriculture Recovery Officer and Matt Mahoney from Agridome for an informative walk and discussion focusing on pasture recovery and management following bushfire impacts.
A free lunch will also be provided.
For bookings and more information contact Dakota Hardt, Recovery Support Officer on 5775 8555 or dakota.hardt@mansfield.vic.gov.au.
Let's Talk Future Farming - Loddon Region
When: Thursday 15 October 5:30–7:30 pm
Where: Bridgewater Hotel
Farmers, growers and agribusinesses across the Loddon region are invited to a free evening exploring the future of farming.
Hear local stories on virtual fencing, autonomous vehicles, innovation and more.
Save the date - Wimmera Pulse Field Day
When: Wednesday 28 October from 8:30 am
Cost: Free
The Wimmera Pulse Field Day is an annual regional showcase hosted by Agriculture Victoria and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). This year's field day will cover:
- pulse crop trials and agronomy
- maximising N-fixation in pulses
- nutrition management - how Phosphorus can improve yield
- the release of 2 faba beans.
More details to come soon!
GRDC events
Visit the GRDC events page for upcoming events.
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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