Thursday 27 February 2025

Expanded facility putting the heat on crop research

A world first facility researching the impact of extreme hot and cold weather on crops is expanding thanks to support from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the completion of the $1.18 million Free Air Temperature Extreme (FATE) facility expansion at the Horsham SmartFarm, doubling the size to cover about 2.5 hectares.

The FATE facility measures the impact of heat waves, drought and frost on cereal, pulse and oilseed crops, testing conditions on them at various stages to understand the impact on grain quality.

The upgraded facility is jointly funded with $386,000 from the Victorian Government and $800,000 from Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

This expansion will enable more crop rotations and experiments, accelerating the development of new heat tolerant crop varieties for farmers. The equipment can be used for future research on other crops, including different grazing pasture species.

This year the facility researched eight different wheat and lentil varieties with various growth rates under the heaters against a control group under normal weather conditions to test the resilience of crops.

This crucial research will inform plant breeders which crop varieties can stay productive during extreme weather conditions, as the frequency and severity of these events increase in a changing climate.

The FATE facility is funded by the Victorian Government as part of Agriculture Victoria’s 10-year Agriculture Strategy and the Safer Smarter Farms Program, which highlights risk management and adaptation to climate change.

GRDC’s investment towards the FATE facility was part of a $20 million infrastructure program to build Australia’s long-term grains research capacity and support the enduring profitability of the nation’s grain growers.

Audrey Delahunty wins GRDC South 2025 Emerging Leader award 

Congratulations to Dr Audrey Delahunty, Agriculture Victoria Senior Research Scientist, pulse agronomist, and winner of 2025 Emerging Leader - South award announced this week at Grains Research and Development Corporation Grains Research Update in Bendigo.

Spot and report: Protect Victoria from harmful weeds this summer

Looking a lot like some leafy green vegetables, alligator weed is banned in Victoria.

Alligator weed an aggressive plant that can devastate land and water environments.

It is a State Prohibited Weed and should not be transported, sold or grown anywhere in Victoria.

To report it, call 136 186 or email weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Report sick or dead birds or wildlife

High pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in poultry in the Euroa area within Strathbogie Shire. Control measures are in place to prevent further spread. 
 
Learn more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu 
 
Report any unexplained sick or dead poultry or birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. 

Read the latest on the situation on our website 

Avian influenza detected at fourth Euroa property

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed H7N8 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) on a fourth poultry farm in Euroa. This new detection is within the 5km restricted area and in close proximity to the three other infected properties, the latest was detected on 20 February.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell said given the proximity of the properties, this new detection is not unexpected and that Agriculture Victoria staff are on the ground working closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus.

‘This detection is the result of comprehensive and ongoing surveillance activities by Agriculture Victoria staff within restricted and control areas,’ Dr Bell said.

Control orders have been in place since H7 was first detected on a poultry farm on 8 February.

Control orders restrict the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment, and vehicles on or off properties in designated zones around the infected properties to prevent disease spread.

These zones include a restricted area covering a 5-kilometre radius around the farms, with a broader control area spanning the Strathbogie Shire east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway, and including the townships of Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie.

‘If you are in the control or restricted areas, you cannot move birds (including game birds), products (including eggs and manure) or equipment into, out of, or within the area without a permit.

‘This includes selling or giving away eggs from your poultry – these must not leave your property,’ Dr Bell said.

A housing requirement remains in place for properties with 50 or more birds in the restricted area. This includes Euroa and extends approximately 5 kilometres from the affected properties in all directions.

To reduce the risk of further disease spread, birds on these properties must be kept in cages or sheds to avoid contact with other birds.

Bird owners are reminded to keep sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean, and to restrict contact with wild birds. They should ensure their footwear is clean and wash hands before and after handling birds or eggs. New birds should be quarantined before being integrated with existing ones.

‘A strong biosecurity system relies on everyone playing their part.

‘Avian influenza is a notifiable disease, which means you must tell us if you know of or suspect the presence of avian influenza in any birds without delay. Your cooperation is crucial to getting on top of this outbreak,’ Dr Bell said.

Community members must report any suspected disease and sudden poultry death by calling the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

‘We thank the impacted properties for their cooperation and would like to reassure Victorians that supermarket eggs and poultry products remain safe to consume.’

For more information, including checking whether you are in the restricted area or control area, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza

Use a netting fence to protect from dam pollution

Constructing a netting fence above your dam can reduce the amount of organic material entering during and after a storm.

Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels said while thunderstorms can produce needed run-off, they can also result in large amounts of dry grass, manure, soil and other material being swept into your dam.

‘If left unattended, these materials will sink to the bottom and decompose, impacting water quality.

‘Netting fence sediment traps are quick and easy to erect and can be made using second-hand materials.

‘Netting fences slow the speed of water and trap large organic materials. As the water slows, heavier sediments drop to the bottom while the organic materials trapped on the fence act as a filter for finer materials,’ he said.

‘To be most effective, the netting fence needs to be well supported with steel posts and follow the contour of the land.

‘By making the base of the fence follow a level path, the water can spread out in both directions along the fence. The longer the fence, the more material that will get trapped. The ends of the fence need to be turned uphill to increase capture of materials.

‘Commercial geo-fabric silt fences are great for trapping finer materials, however they transmit water very slowly and are not recommended for concentrated flows of water.

‘Clean straw bales placed tightly together and pegged down with steel posts can also be used to create an effective sediment trap.

‘Alternatives include synthetic silt fences, sediment ponds or a simple diversion bank with drop boards to manage flows into your dam.

‘Regardless of design, all sediment traps should be regularly inspected, maintained and emptied following major storm events.’

Mr Sturmfels said sediment traps can only do so much to prevent dam pollution, and the best strategy is to ensure you maintain good ground cover and fence out all larger dams.

‘Stock access to water can be maintained using a hardened access ramp or by pumping to a tank and trough arrangement.’

For more information, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

For more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186

Apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure grant today

Eligible drought-affected farmers in the south west can now apply for up to $5,000 in co-contribution grants to support establishing on-farm infrastructure such as:

• 💧 water infrastructure upgrades (pipes, tanks, troughs, dams)
• 🐑 stock containment areas
• 🌾 grain and fodder storage.

For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186

In case you missed it 📰

Media articles

Maintain ground cover to protect soils

What's On

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.

HERD 25

Herd'25 is a biennial conference with a program tailored to attract the herd improvement, genetics and animal performance industry. 

Register on Trybooking

Location: All Seasons Resort Hotel, Bendigo
Date: 12-13 March

Low emissions farming with Cam Nicholson

A free workshop designed to equip farmers with the information and resources they need to track and manage their farm carbon emissions

Register with Wimmera CMA online here or contact Bronwyn Bant at bronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au

Location: Great Western Hall, 103 Main St, Great Western
Date: 17 March, 2-6 pm

Location: Taylors Lake Hall, 2032 Horsham-Lubeck Road, St Helen's Plains
Date: 18 March, 1-5 pm

Wimmera Machinery Field Days

Find us in a new location this year in the Moore Pavilion opposite Wimmera CMA.

Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers and industry to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, including fires.

Visit our stand for information on the events, support resources and grants available while catching up with Agriculture Victoria’s grains, seasonal risk and meat and wool staff.

Grab some fire recovery, crop variety disease updates and biosecurity resources.

Location: Moore Pavilion, Wimmera Machinery Field Days Site, Field Days Road Longerenong Vic 3401
Date: 4-6 March, 8 am - 5 pm

Birchip Cropping Group 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 the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au

All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

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