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Thursday 4 June 2026
Using remotely piloted aircraft for aerial spraying?
Using remotely piloted aircraft for aerial spraying?✅
Setting the flight path and walking away?❌
Remotely piloted aircraft, or drones, can be a useful tool for aerial spraying. But not all their features can be deployed in the paddock.
Fully autonomous spraying is not allowed under Victorian rules or aviation safety laws.
Pilots must maintain control at all times and actively monitor the flight from start to finish.
This is important to reduce the risk of spray drift, crashes and chemical exposure if conditions change during a flight. You must not use a drone that:
- flies without the pilot being able to intervene
- sprays chemicals without a manual override
- continues operation if communication with the pilot is lost.
Vet Talk - Don't let your dog roam
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
One of my most vivid childhood memories was of a dog attack on the sheep on our neighbour’s property.
For our neighbour’s sheep, it was carnage with dead and injured sheep across the paddock.
Why do dam repairs often fail?
Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer
Farmers may be considering repairs to leaking or failed dams to increase their water storage capacity.
Dam repairs, however, are often high-risk and expensive and should only be undertaken when the cause of failure and repair options are well understood.
Repairs should only be attempted on larger, well-constructed dams.
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Bushfire support is available for impacted farmers.
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants: up to $75,000 is available to primary producers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises. You don’t need to contribute any funds to apply for this grant.
Primary Producers Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans: up to $250,000 is available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 can support those experiencing a major loss of income due to the bushfires.
Applications will close at 4 pm on 21 October.
Check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
If you need help working through what support you can get or how to apply, the Rural Financial Counselling Service is available at:
- Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria North East for farmers and small farm businesses.
- RFCS Victoria West | Home (Mildura and north western).
Access to fertilisers during global supply disruption
Image credit: Fertilizer Australia
Farmers are finding it harder to get enough fertiliser. Conflict overseas has disrupted production and supply chains, reducing availability and driving up prices in Australia.
When supply is disrupted overseas, the impacts are felt locally. It is important to plan ahead, understand Victorian regulations before purchasing, and avoid compromising on fertiliser quality.
Victoria regulates fertilisers to reduce risks that harm soils, animals and people. The rules apply to fertilisers sold in packaging and in bulk. They focus on managing heavy metal contamination and making sure buyers receive clear product information.
WorkSafe Awards 2027 call for nominations
Announcing the WorkSafe Awards 2027 call for nominations
Highlighting and recognising excellence in workplace health and safety and return to work – entry submission for the WorkSafe Awards 2027 is now open.
Nominate yourself or someone you know for the Agriculture Safety Solution award.
This award recognises innovative, practical approaches that reduce risk and prevent harm on farms including for those businesses who operate at times on farms or provide services to farms.
Is your PIC up to date?
In an emergency such as fire, flood or disease outbreak, every minute counts.
Your Property Identification Code (PIC) helps us to contact you quickly and trace animals accurately when needed.
Keeping your PIC details current is a simple step that helps protect your livestock, your property, and the wider livestock industry.
Do your part to help keep Victoria’s livestock industry safe.
Drought Hardship Loan
The Australian Government RIC Drought Hardship Loan is available 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.
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.
Learn more about the Drought Hardship Loan at ric.gov.au
More productive trees on farms to benefit landowners
The Victorian Government is making it easier for farmers to plant trees on their farms.
Minister Settle announced the rollout of the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program and the latest recipients of the Incubator Program.
The government is now rolling out the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program across the state – a $4.5 million initiative that will help farm forestry plantation owners make the most of their existing plantations.
Eligible landowners can access a free professional assessment of their plantations, providing tailored insights into timber quality, market opportunities and next steps – all with no cost or obligation.
If an assessment identifies a commercial opportunity, landowners may be eligible for later-stage funding for management activities such as thinning to improve timber quality and market access.
To be eligible, plantings must be between 3 and 30 hectares, planted before 2021 specifically for wood production, and not already allocated or committed for sale.
Every day, individuals, groups and organisations across Australia are working to prevent, detect and respond to biosecurity threats. Their efforts help protect our agricultural industries, environment and way of life.
If you know someone making a significant contribution to biosecurity, nominate them for an Australian Biosecurity Award.
To learn more or nominate, visit agriculture.gov.au/aba
Nominations close 5 pm, Tuesday 16 June 2026.
Drought Support
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 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 771 741.
Find out more at Rural Financial Counselling Network.
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open
In response to the bushfires and ongoing drought, Look Over the Farm Gate applications are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.
For further drought support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
For more information on bushfire support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
Reminder - Young Farmers Advisory Council EOI closing soon!
Emerging leaders from across Victoria’s agriculture industry are invited to help shape the industry’s future, with expressions of interest now open for the next 2-year term of the Young Farmers Advisory Council.
EOIs close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 14 June. To register an expression of interest, visit the Join a public board website
What's On
Sheep production for tomorrow: feed, health and market opportunities
When: Thursday 11 June, 9:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Elmore Netball Club, 2 Elmore-Mitiamo Road, Elmore
Join industry specialists for a practical and informative day focused on improving lamb survival through effective ewe health and nutrition management.
Speakers include:
- Frankie Collett
- Collett Veterinary and Consultancy Services
- Michael Savli, Lallemand Animal Nutrition
- Mark Inglis, Thomas Foods International
- Representatives from Zoetis
Women in agriculture forum
When: 18 June, 9:15 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Henley’s Wine Bar & Kitchen, 1597 Snow Road, Milawa.
Hosted by North East CMA, women working in agriculture are invited to an energising forum designed to help you reconnect, recharge, and refocus.
What to expect
- a hands-on workshop with Cynthia Mahoney, sharing practical tools used by top performers — helping you sustain energy, manage stress, and optimise your business, even during challenging seasons.
- dedicated time to reflect, reset, and refocus on what matters most
- a delicious networking lunch with trade displays, offering the chance to connect with other rural women and local support organisations.
- after lunch, choose ONE of three concurrent recharge sessions: restorative yoga, resilient garden design, or nature journaling.
Cost: $20 per person Includes lunch, workshop sessions, and take-home resources.
Australian Sheep and Wool Show
When: Friday 17 June to Sunday 19 June, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Bendigo Prince of Wales Showgrounds, North Bendigo
Visit Bendigo, July 17–19, 2026, for a weekend celebrating Australia’s finest sheep, wool, and country life. From livestock and wool craft to fashion, food, and family fun.
Get your tickets today at The Australian Sheep and Wool Show Highlights — Sheep Show
AI and robotics in crops, exploring new water allocation outlooks
When: Thursday 18 June, 4:30–6:30 pm
Where: La Trobe University, Mildura Campus, Mildura
Hosted by Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC), dive into the future of farming with AI and robotics and new ideas on water allocation outlooks to make better decisions and work smarter
BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences
The theme of this year’s BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Conferences is ‘Turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities’.
We’ve lined up some amazing speakers who will test your thinking and inspire new ideas. Among the program you’ll find:
John Francis (Agrista Pty Ltd): speaking on both days, John will challenge how producers think about risk, revealing why mindset, not markets, may be the biggest driver of profit
Ricky and Marni Luhrs (Mooralla Merino Stud): hear how Ricky and Marni utilised knowledge from a BestWool/BestLamb Conference to create a resilient whole farm system
Prof. Peter McGilchrist (University of New England, AU): 1 of the Feeder Steer Masterclass speakers, Peter will explore what’s next in beef eating-quality improvement beyond marbling, including red meat yield, tenderness and ageing.
GRDC Farm Business Update
When: Thursday 25 June, 9:30 am – 3:15 pm
Where: Shamrock Hotel, 5 - 13 Melville Street, Numurkah
The GRDC Farm Business Update events drive innovation and adoption of improved farm business management practices across the grains industry.
Free but please register for catering purposes.
Contact Jane Foster 03 5441 6175 or email admin@orm.com.au
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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