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Thursday 18 June 2026
Biosecurity strengthened through private vet training
Pictured: livestock veterinarians completed a 2-day animal disease investigation course led by Agriculture Victoria
Private livestock veterinarians across Victoria have benefited from recent animal disease investigation (ADI) courses led by Agriculture Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jeff Cave said the courses were delivered in Ellinbank, Elmore, Rutherglen and Hamilton by Agriculture Victoria’s district veterinary officers and a pathologist from AgriBio, to classes of 12 veterinarians, generally local to each region.
‘The 2-day intensive courses focused on upskilling Victoria’s livestock vets to conduct disease investigations and especially how to respond to exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease,’ Dr Cave said.
Vet Talk - winter worms in sheep
Worms and scours can be a significant problem in weaners and lambing ewes with the limited feed and cold stress of winter.
Winter conditions provide ideal conditions for the survival of worm larvae on pastures, and feed may also be short. Sheep that are nutritionally stressed and in light condition grazing short pastures are likely to be affected by worms and scouring.
Guide helps farmers cut emissions and boost efficiency
Pictured: the Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm update provides practical carbon and emissions information that farmers can consider for their farm
Agriculture Victoria has released a new edition of Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm, a practical booklet to help producers manage emissions while improving farm efficiency.
Agriculture Victoria farm emissions specialist Alison Kelly said the update focuses on fuel and energy efficiency, as well as providing practical carbon and emissions information that farmers can consider for their farm.
‘Built on the experiences and results of farmers in Agriculture Victoria’s On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot, the updated booklet shares what’s working in real farming systems and how others can follow suit,’ Mrs Kelly said.
More support for Look Over the Farm Gate events
Pictured: Look Over the Farm Gate grants have been used to support more than 320 events since June 2025
An additional $400,000 is now available through the Look Over the Farm Gate program to support farmers in drought and bushfire recovery.
Delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health, the program funds community-led events with grants of up to $5,000 each, bringing people together to support farmers and their families.
Director Climate, Resilience and Communities, Amanda Pagan, said more than 40,000 people have attended over 320 local events since June 2025.
Boost for businesses impacted by Varroa mite
More support is now available to businesses and beekeepers who rely on bees for their income and pollinating their crops.
Agriculture Victoria has appointed James Rowe as a new horticulture sector officer to support pollination-dependent businesses affected by Varroa mite.
James brings strong experience to the role, having previously worked in the apiary sector supporting beekeepers with the transition to management of Varroa mite. He also has an extensive agricultural background, having worked in the broadacre and horticulture sectors.
Pictured: James Rowe, Agriculture Victoria's new horticulture sector officer
Keep accurate records when spraying by drone
Pictured: wind speed and direction is one of the details that must be recorded when conducting spraying via drone
Accurate spray records matter – this includes spraying with remotely piloted aircraft. Accurate records help protect crops, manage spray risks and ensure you meet your legal obligations.
Records must be made within 48 hours of spraying and be kept for 2 years. You must record:
- product name and application rate
- date and exact location of use
- what was treated
- wind speed and direction (if outdoors)
- name and contact details of who applied/supervised/ordered the job.
All drone operators, pilots and chemical users are responsible for record keeping.
Webinar recording: Pasture research update
Missed our recent Emissions in Agriculture Community of Practice meeting? You can now catch the full recording.
Hear from Agriculture Victoria researchers Kevin Smith and Dr Anna Thomson as they share insights from two exciting pasture projects:
- MultiMix Project: Testing diverse mixes of grasses, legumes and herbs to build more climate-resilient pastures—boosting sheep productivity while reducing methane emissions and fertiliser reliance.
- Resilient Forages: Exploring nutrient-dense, diverse forage systems to support productive, profitable dairy farms under climate and cost pressures.
Watch the recording on Zoom via the below link. Passcode: 170626
Trees on Farms Utilisation Program applications open
Applications are now open for the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program.
Eligible Victorian landowners can receive a free expert assessment of their timber plantations, including tailored management advice and potential market pathways.
Bushfire information
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Farm Drought Support Grants
Use a Farm Drought Support Grant to make on-farm infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as grain feeders, troughs, pasture restoration, stock containment areas, and more.
Farmers in south west Victoria can access $10,000.
Wellbeing counsellors
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line.
Providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across the north and south west.
Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:
✔ Managing stress
✔ Building resilience for tough times
✔ Balancing work and life with practical tools
✔ Getting support for big decisions and life changes.
To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 735 578.
Find out more at wswrcs.com.au/
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan
Pictured: RIC Drought Hardship Loans are available for farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts.
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support: drought.gov.au
ISCC Market Readiness and Risk Awareness – Horsham
When: Friday 19 June, 9 am - 12 pm
Where: Wimmera Business Centre, 62 Darlot Street Horsham
Cost: free
The workshop series is designed to provide all the information and training that a grain producer would require in becoming ISCC ready across three half-day workshops. Each workshop addresses a different aspect to ISCC certification:
- Workshop 1 addresses ISCC Foundations, market context and what "Audit‑Ready" looks like on-farm
- Workshop 2 deep dives into the farm office - bring your laptop and set up your systems
- Workshop 3 covers supply chain field trip (e.g. brewery, feedlot, or suitable location with trade rep).
Grain producers are welcome to attend the workshop(s) that are most relevant to them or attend all three to gain a complete and thorough understanding of the ISCC certification process.
Attendance is free, but registrations are essential for catering as morning tea and lunch is provided at each workshop.
Serrated tussock workshop
When: Tuesday 23 June, 10-11 am
Where: North side of the corner of Petschels Lane and Kannebergs Road Hamilton
Cost: free
Did you know that serrated tussock is one of Victoria’s most invasive pasture weeds – and that all landholders in the Southern Grampians Shire are legally required to control it?
Tarrington and Pierrepoint district landholders can learn how to identify and control serrated tussock.
Agriculture Victoria's Dallas Gooding and David Blythe will present on best-practice management techniques and hands-on identification training.
The workshop is supported by the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, Agriculture Victoria and the Tarrington Landcare Group.
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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