Thursday 22 October 2026

Locust response - current situation

Thanks to all the farmers and landholders who have been busy preparing for locust management this spring.

Surveillance from our teams and landholders means we know locusts are forming bands near Meringur, south-east of Werrimull, and along the Mallee Highway between Underbool and Murrayville.

Farmers have been telling us they’ve been spraying their land as a result – and we’re continuing our surveillance in the area and other high-risk parts of the Mallee and Wimmera.

Hatching is ongoing, and we’re seeing locusts at different growth stages, which means landholders may notice activity over a longer period.

If you’re in these areas, check your properties, be ready to spray bands before they can fly using an approved product, and report activity at agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportlocusts 

H5 bird flu

Good biosecurity helps protect Victorian livestock

Livestock owners are encouraged to stay informed about H5 bird flu and maintain good farm biosecurity.

There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or other livestock in Australia.

H5 bird flu is present in wild birds in Victoria. The disease primarily affects birds and has not been detected in Australian livestock.

While infections have occasionally been reported in ruminant livestock overseas, these events have generally occurred following high levels of exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments.

The dairy cattle outbreak reported in the United States was associated with a virus strain that is genetically different from the virus detected in Australia.

The Australian Government's High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Preparedness Taskforce and Dairy Australia completed an independent risk assessment of H5 bird flu in Australian livestock.

The assessment found the risk of H5 bird flu infection is low for dairy cattle and pigs, and negligible for beef cattle, sheep and goats. More information is available in the Australian Government's livestock risk assessment reports.

The temporary mandatory requirement for poultry to be confined where possible has ended.

The requirement applied to owners of 50 or more poultry across metropolitan Melbourne and specified coastal and adjacent areas.

H5 bird flu in wild birds has changed the risk environment for poultry producers.

Good biosecurity remains the best defence. Poultry producers should continue to minimise contact between poultry and wild birds.

A big thank you to poultry producers for doing their part to help protect Victoria's poultry industry.

For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu 

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. 

• Avoid direct contact. 
• Record what you see. 
• Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on tel:1800 675 888 or use the form below.

Stay ahead of flystrike

Lee Manning, District Veterinary Officer

With spring conditions now well established, sheep producers are encouraged to review their flystrike prevention plans.

Flystrike remains one of the most significant animal welfare and production challenges facing the sheep industry.

The condition can reduce productivity, increase labour and treatment costs and, in severe cases, result in sheep deaths.

Early planning can reduce the risk of flystrike and help producers avoid costly interventions later in the season.

Flystrike risk increases when warm temperatures coincide with moisture, creating favourable conditions for blowfly activity.

Are your bulls ready for joining?

Darren Hickey, Project Leader BetterBeef Network

With spring calving well underway, it won’t be long before the bulls are back to work.

Now is the time to make sure your bull team is healthy, sound and ready for joining.

Why pre-joining checks matter

Bulls may look fit and healthy but could still underperform during joining leaving you with lower than expected pregnancy rates.

Problems can be identified during a pre-joining check, but without one they may not become apparent until pregnancy scanning or even calving.

Victorian dairy farmers rebound in milestone year

Victoria’s dairy farmers are enjoying a welcome turnaround, with a new report showing improved returns and growing confidence after a challenging season.

Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle today released the 2025–26 Victorian Dairy Farm Monitor Project Annual Report, marking 20 years of the project.

Delivered by Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia, the project tracks 90 dairy farms across northern Victoria, south west Victoria and Gippsland.

The report shows 86 of the 90 participating farms recorded positive returns after a challenging 2024–25 season.

Applications sought for key livestock and biosecurity advisory roles

Agriculture Victoria is calling for expressions of interest from people with skills, experience and industry knowledge to serve on 4 statutory ministerial advisory committees that support Victoria's cattle, sheep, goat, swine and honey bee industries.

Applications are now open for chair and member positions on the:

• Apicultural Industry Advisory Committee
• Swine Industry Projects Advisory Committee
• Cattle Compensation Advisory Committee
• Sheep and Goat Compensation Advisory Committee

Drought support

As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.   

Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:   

• Rural Financial Counselling Service Wellbeing Counsellors - free, confidential wellbeing support alongside its usual financial and business counselling support.  

• Drought support events – workshops and events across the state supporting farmers in drought and recovery.   

To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.      

Fire preparedness

Farm fire preparedness: what’s in your emergency kit?  

Prepare now for the fire season.  

It’s never too early to check your emergency kit. 

Staying to defend your property or preparing to shelter in place can be extremely dangerous when a bushfire is on the way.  

Make sure you have an emergency kit ready with: 

• protective clothing, boots and work gloves  
• smoke masks and eye protection  
• pure wool blankets or fire blankets  
• spare batteries and chargers  
• water.  

On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration program information session

When: Thursday 29 October, 1–2:30 pm
Where: Online

The On-Farm Energy and Electrification Demonstration (OFEED) Program aims to accelerate the uptake of proven and new-to-market energy technologies across Victoria’s agriculture sector, through industry-led demonstration projects.

Up to $5 million in grant funding is available to deliver the OFEED program. Grants of $200,000 to $750,000 are available for successful applicants to showcase energy technologies that can:

• improve on-farm energy efficiency
• reduce fuel, gas or energy consumption
• generate renewable energy
• provide energy storage on farm.

This webinar event will provide further details about the program guidelines, including eligibility, project expectations, eligible expenditure. co-funding and knowledge-sharing expectations.

What's On

Wimmera Pulse Field Day

When: Wednesday 28 October from 8:30 am
Where: 75 Hemphills Road, Minyip

Gain practical insights into current research and how it can be used in on-farm decision making.  

Topics will include: 

• Pulse agronomy 
• Pulse breeding 
• Nutrition management 
• Nitrogen fixation research.

The morning will conclude with a BBQ lunch and an opportunity to network with fellow agronomists, researchers and industry representatives. 

This event is free however registrations are essential for catering purposes.  

Your legacy, their future: Success with succession planning

When: Thursday 29 October, 9:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Longwood Community Centre, 2A Down Street, Longwood

Planning for the future of your farm business? Join us in Longwood for a free practical workshop designed to help farming families navigate succession planning with confidence.

Presented by Dr Kate Burke, the workshop will explore how effective succession planning can help:

• Protect your family legacy
• Maintain a viable business
• Grow and transfer wealth
• Strengthen family relationships across generations

Participants will develop a succession timeline and identify practical goals to support a successful transition.

☕ Morning tea and lunch provided

Places are limited and registration is essential.

Healthy Hectares Field Day

When: Thursday 29 October, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation, Ryan's Lagoon, Bonegilla 

Wodonga Urban Landcare Network (WULN) invites you to a practical field day for farmers and landholders with Uncle Allan Murray from the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation.

Learn how the project at Ryans Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve is helping to restore Country while supporting ongoing cultural practices.

Discover how traditional land management practices can be integrated into property management, covering weed control, cultural burning, wetland management, revegetation, cultural heritage, and local ecosystems.

A practical look into soils

When: Friday 30 October, 10 am - 12 pm
Where: Axedale-Goornong Road, Axedale 

Join The Healthy Landscapes Project for a practical workshop exploring how physically assessing soil can tell you about soil health & productivity

Whether you're new to soil assessment or looking to sharpen your skills, this interactive session will provide practical knowledge and confidence to help you better understand the soils on your farm

PPS Spring Farm Tour - Mount Lonarch

When: Sunday 8 November from 10 am
Where: 1504 Amphitheatre Road, Mount Lonarch

Perennial Pasture Systems is hosting a Spring Farm Tour at Howell Pastoral.

Hear about pasture management and stock containment, with lunch included. The event is free to attend, but please book to assist with catering.

Contact Sinead Barker on 0448 708 651 if you have any questions.

Stock Sense - Gisborne fencing workshop

When: Friday 20 November, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Where: Gisborne

Learn how to install practical new fencing and build confidence using the right tools, materials and techniques.

The workshop will also cover how to inspect, maintain and repair existing fences to extend their working life.

Participants will gain hands-on experience and practical tips that can be applied on their own properties.

Stock Sense will lead a discussion on the importance of biosecurity and best-practice measures to help protect your farm.

Exact location will be sent out closer to the date.

Irrigation management course

When: Friday 25 November and Wednesday 9 December, 9 am – 4:30 pm
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Avene, Irymple

Agriculture Victoria invites you to join a free 2-day session providing information on irrigation management aimed at maximising farm profitability and efficiency.

Topics covered

• Soil water principles
• Irrigation of Mallee soils
• Readily available water (RAW) holding capacity
• Irrigation system performance
• Leaching efficiency and nutrient management
• Irrigation scheduling
• Water outlook

To attend this course please register by emailing irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au

GRDC 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 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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