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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.
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.
‘It’s also a legal requirement to keep the PIC up to date.
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.
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 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.
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.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Locust spring update for north-west Victoria
Prepare now for possible locust activity in spring.
- The Mallee has a moderate to high chance of high numbers of young locusts hatching in late September onwards.
- The Wimmera has a low to moderate chance of high numbers of young locusts hatching in early October onwards.
Land managers are responsible for controlling locusts on their land.
The best time to control locusts is about 2 weeks after hatching, when they are young and can't yet fly.
Land managers can also help by checking paddocks and reporting any signs of locusts.
Reporting helps improve forecasting and supports control decisions.
This advice is for people in Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera.
Bushfire recovery events
Our team will be on hand for a chat at upcoming fire recovery events and activities.
Here’s what’s coming up:
Euroa Special Sale, Wednesday 5 August
Victorian Landcare Awards
Do you know someone making a difference for our environment?
The 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards shine a spotlight on local champions leading the way in caring for biodiversity.
Nominations are now open.
For more information and to nominate: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/.../state-territory.../
Nominations close at 11:59 pm on Friday 31 July.
Trees on Farms Utilisation Program
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.
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.
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 two 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 five-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.
What's On
Paddock walk - Fawcett Hall
When: Tuesday 28 July, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Fawcett Hall, 655 Spring Creek Road, Fawcett
Agriculture Victoria is working together with Fawcett Hall to deliver this ag recovery event and paddock walk.
Join land management extension officer Kerri Goshnick and ag recovery officer Sarah Fox on a paddock walk and talk.
Catch up and chat about fodder, water, feed on hand and paddock weeds. The paddock walk will look at 2 to 3 paddocks to generate discussion.
BYO boots and jacket. Lunch included back at Fawcett Hall by 1 pm.
No registration required.
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.
Aboriginal business procurement information session
When: Thursday 30 July, 12 noon – 1 pm
Where: Online
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.
Beekeeper Breakfasts
When: Tuesday 4 August, 8 – 11 am
Where: Hattah Outback Roadhouse, 3478 Calder Hwy, Hattah
When: Wednesday 5 August, 8 – 11 am
Where: 8879 Murray Valley Hwy, Boundary Bend
Topics:
- Are we coping or moping? workshop with Neville Brady
- Miticide use and regulations
- Chemical handling, protective equipment, workplace and general machinery safety with WorkSafe
- Building varroa awareness with Horticulture Services (pollination industries)
- Bushfire recovery and drought support
For more information contact James Rowe, Horticulture Sector Officer, Agriculture Victoria
on james.rowe@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 0408 512 599.
National Alpaca Show 2026
When: 7-9 August
Where: Bendigo Showgrounds
National auction, fleece show, art and photography competition.
Save the date: Getting ready for spring workshops
When: Friday 14 August, 10:30–12:30 am
Where: Tallangatta Football Netball Club, 2C Akuna Avenue, Tallangatta
When: Monday 17 August, 10:30–12:30 am
Where: Shamrock Hotel, 5–13 Melville Street, Numurkah
When: Tuesday 18 August, 10:30–12:30 am
Where: Cohuna Bowls Club, Tennis Court Road, Cohuna
When: Tuesday 18 August, 7–8:30 am
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 Shields: 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 & Mark Burgermeister: farm consultants, will explore the options available to your business and how you can implement these to make the most of the coming spring and beyond.
Lunch provided for the daytime sessions and dinner provided for the last session.
Email Richard Smith, Regional Manager Dairy Northern richard.m.smith@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.
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.
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
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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