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Thursday 30 July 2026
H5N1 avian influenza strain detected in Victoria
Pictured: a greater crested tern
The high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 strain (H5 bird flu) has been detected in Victoria.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said this detection is a result of Australia’s response to H5 bird flu, with the Victorian Government undertaking surveillance for the disease and working closely with the Commonwealth, interstate jurisdictions and industry partners.
‘Preliminary testing has indicated H5 bird flu in a single greater crested tern found in Portland.
Further genetic testing is underway at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong to formally confirm this result.’ Dr Cooke said.
2026 Gippsland Red Meat Conference
Date: Tuesday 25 August
Location: Sale Baptist Church, 283 Princes Highway, Sale
Join us for a full day of practical, thought-provoking presentations from leading industry experts covering:
- markets and global outlook
- feed and pasture management
- business and profitability
- technology and innovation
- producer experiences and practical takeaways.
Hear from an
outstanding line-up of speakers, including:
Simon Quilty – Global livestock market analyst providing insights into market trends, price drivers and the sheep cycle to help producers make informed marketing and business decisions.
Frank Archer, Landfall Angus – Sharing his experience with virtual fencing, including the opportunities, challenges and key decisions involved in adopting the technology.
Robert Herrmann – A personal and practical look at the decisions that have shaped his agriculture and business journey, highlighting lessons learned along the way.
Meridie Jackson – What does it take to build a profitable and resilient farming business from the ground up? In this session, Meridie shares the practical lessons behind growing a successful premium beef enterprise, helping attendees identify where to focus their time, money and energy to create long-term value and make better business decisions.
Chelsea Hair – Practical strategies for producing heavier, more profitable weaners and improving livestock performance through better management decisions.
Anna Thomson and Craig Butler – A productive feed base starts with smart pasture decisions. This session explores how pasture diversity and strategic feed base planning can fill seasonal feed gaps, improve resilience and boost profitability. Combining the science behind the Feed 365 concept with practical lessons from Gippsland demonstration sites, attendees will gain ideas they can apply on their own farms.
Jess Revell - Make every kilogram count with smarter feeding decisions. This session will provide practical advice on ration formulation, feed quality, animal health and water requirements, helping producers use containment feeding to protect livestock performance, welfare and profitability during challenging seasons.
Tom Cosentino - With rising costs and tighter margins, every investment matters. This session explores how producers can make smarter capital investment decisions by weighing the returns from machinery, technology, infrastructure, land and debt reduction, helping answer one key question: What investment will deliver the greatest return for your business?
Whether you're looking to improve productivity, strengthen your business or prepare for the future, there's something in the program for everyone.
Tickets are selling fast! Don't miss your chance to be part of Gippsland's premier red meat event.
Celebrating National Biosecurity Week
Biosecurity benefits us all, and we each have a part to play in protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases.
National Biosecurity Week raises awareness and showcases the collaborative efforts of government, industry, peak bodies and the community in protecting the Australian way of life.
150 ducks now tracking across Australia in major movement study
An important milestone has been reached with more than 150 Victorian game ducks now fitted with tracking devices as part of the largest study of duck movement and survivorship undertaken in Australia.
Since June 2025, the Game Management Authority and Deakin University have been attaching small solar-powered satellite tracking devices to 4 game duck species (Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal) to better understand their movements, survival and behaviours.
Data collected up to January 2026 from 62 tracked ducks shows that most individuals remained relatively close to their capture locations. However, there were a few interesting exceptions.
Complete the EPA small business survey
How can we make your environmental responsibilities easier to understand?
Please take 7 minutes to complete the survey below.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria wants to make environmental responsibilities easier to understand and put into practice.
Your feedback will help EPA create useful resources, that gives you the information you need, in the way that works for you.
All feedback provided will be deidentified in the report and will not be used for enforcement. The survey closes on Tuesday 18 August.
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.
- Grants are open until 4pm on 21 October 2026.
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.
Be Work Ready – Jobs on Farms
Date and time: Commencing Tuesday 4 August from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, running for 5 sessions, concluding Thursday 13 August
Location: 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
Get RIC Ready free webinar
Date and time: Wednesday 19 August, 12 pm
Location: 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.
2026 Victorian Landcare forum
Date and time: Monday 31 August from 9 am –5 pm
Location: Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
Throughout 2026, Victoria will celebrate Landcare’s 40-year anniversary. A key part of these celebrations is the Victorian Landcare Forum, which brings together landcarers, professionals, experts and key stakeholders who are working to support rich landscapes, vibrant ecosystems and sustainable agricultural practices, while strengthening local communities.
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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