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Thursday 27 November 2025
Wishing you all a jolly holiday season from Northern Ag News.
Please note this is my final Northern Ag News as I move on, wishing you and your families all the best, and thank you for your fabulous support over the years.
Northern Ag News will be back with a new editor on Thursday, 29 January, fa la la la, la la la la!
Boosting support for farmers facing drought
The Victorian Government is boosting drought support for farmers and communities – expanding programs that connect Victorian farmers to essential services they need to stay resilient and overcome drought conditions.
At a recent Drought Response Taskforce meeting, Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced an extension of key drought programs, bringing the government's Drought Support Package to more than $146.5 million.
Farmers from across the state will have access to a second Farm Advisory Service one-on-one consultation with a technical specialist. Community wellbeing support will continue with a new round of funding for the Look Over the Farm Gate grants program opening in February 2026, administered by the National Centre for Farmer Health.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) wellbeing counsellor in the south-west will be extended until 31 December 2026, offering free confidential wellbeing support alongside financial and business counselling – helping farmers stay strong and plan for the future.
Across Victoria, more than 100 Look Over the Farm Gate events have brought communities together, engaging around 13,000 people. So far, more than 700 farmers have participated in consultations through the Farm Advisory Service, and RFCS wellbeing counsellors have supported more than 100 farming businesses.
Supporting Victorian growers to maintain market access
Agriculture Victoria is supporting growers moving tomato potato psyllid (TTP) host or carrier plants and plant products interstate to navigate new requirements set to be in place from 8 December 2025.
Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr Rosa Crnov, said new arrangements were in place for businesses to be certified under, following a new detection of tomato potato psyllid outside of the restricted area in Melbourne’s northern suburbs in October.
‘We’re working with the horticulture industry to rapidly implement arrangements to minimise trade disruptions and maintain market access to other states.
‘Restrictions are expected to be in place from Monday 8 December and growers can move their plants and produce interstate if they have the right certifications in place and follow the necessary biosecurity practices.
‘We’re here to help growers and industry with these requirements, which will vary by state and be different for host and carrier plants and products.
‘You can contact us directly for tailored technical support for your business or visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information,’ Dr Crnov said.
Fees for plant biosecurity services (application fees, audits, non-conformance reports) are waived until 30 June 2026 as part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package.
Victorian tomato producers and backyard gardeners are encouraged to monitor their crops and to contact Agriculture Victoria if they suspect TPP might be present. Reports can be made:
- via the website at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportpestsonline
- by emailing plant.protection@agriculture.vic.gov.au
- by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
For more information on TPP please visit Tomato potato psyllid.
Drought support – duties and fees relief
The duties and fees relief package is helping to reduce the cost of doing business for drought affected primary producers.
- Payment of livestock duties for the sale of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs paused until 30 September 2026
- Primary producers won’t have to pay the standard processing fees when ordering NLIS tags (for orders placed from 1 October 2025 to 30 June 2026)
- Other livestock related fees and services for 2025–26 stay at the same rate as 2024–25.
Find more information on our website: https://go.vic.gov.au/48FF4bG
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Future Drought Fund – small network and social outcome grants
As part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, 2 grant programs are now open through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).
These grants offer funding for community-led projects that bring people together, build local capability and support wellbeing — practical initiatives that can strengthen communities now and into the future.
Apply now - applications close 11 December 2025.
- Learn more about the Future Drought Fund Small Network Grants
- Learn more about the Future Drought Fund Social Outcome Grants
Apply now to join the group-based events program in 2026
Join us in delivering the next phase of Agriculture Victoria’s drought technical decision-making group events program.
We’re seeking applications from service providers across the state – agronomists, farm business planners and veterinarians, to name a few – to deliver local group-based events in 2026.
The Request for Quotation (RFQ) program for group-based events is open for 5 weeks closing Sunday 21 December.
Service providers who registered to deliver events under round 1 and 2 can reapply for round 3.
Priority areas for the round 3 group-based events program include technical decision-making and farm business management.
More information and application forms are available at [HV1]
Vet Talk – Get smart in you summer drenching program
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
After a year of grazing on shorter-than-usual pastures, many sheep across Victoria are facing higher-than-normal worm burdens. But with summer’s hot and dry conditions around the corner, producers have a timely opportunity to tackle the issue head-on.
It’s time to consider strategic summer drenching, a targeted approach involving effective treatments at the start and end of the season. The goal is to take advantage of the natural destruction of worm larvae on pastures caused by the heat and desiccation of summer.
However, not all sheep may require treatment. Pre-drench faecal egg counts (FECs) will help determine which parts of the flock actually need drenching. This deliberate step helps avoid unnecessary costs and ensures treatments are justified.
Drenching is only effective when done correctly. Using the wrong chemicals or misusing them can reduce their effectiveness and contribute to the development of resistance.
Post-drench FECs are also advisable, to assess how well the treatment worked and to detect any signs of drench resistance, a growing concern in Victoria, particularly with white and clear drenches.
To maximise results, producers should move treated sheep to low-risk pastures. Ideal options include paddocks that have been previously grazed by cattle, cut for hay or silage, or used by older wethers.
Ewes around the time of lambing and recently weaned lambs are especially vulnerable to worm infestations. Without an effective drenching program, reinfestation can occur in as little as 3 weeks.
For more advice, contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria animal health staff, or in New South Wales, your Local Land Services.
Livestock producers asked to remain vigilant for anthrax
Anthrax has been in Australia for more than 150 years and affects livestock.
Once an animal has died from anthrax, the anthrax spores can leach into and survive in the soil for decades, waiting for the right set of environmental conditions to infect another animal.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Jeff Cave said over the decades, many districts in Victoria have experienced deaths of livestock due to anthrax.
‘Deaths of livestock due to anthrax mostly occur in the warmer months although history has shown they can occur at any time of year,’ Dr Cave said.
‘Therefore, anthrax should be considered whenever there is any sudden death of livestock, particularly if blood is seen around the animal’s nose, mouth, and anus.
‘At one time veterinarians had to carry a microscope and examine a smear of specially stained blood to rapidly diagnose anthrax.
‘This all changed with the development of pen-side ICT kits (immunochromatographic test), which provide a quick, safe, and accurate means of diagnosing or excluding anthrax when investigating cases of sudden death of livestock.’
All private veterinarians who deal with livestock have free access to ICT kits and can investigate sudden deaths through subsidised disease investigations.
Dr Cave said there are several reasons why it is beneficial to know whether an animal has died from anthrax.
‘First, anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can potentially infect humans. The exclusion of anthrax will bring peace of mind both for yourself and your veterinarian when trying to find the real cause of the animal’s death.
‘Secondly, the best way of stopping further losses due to anthrax is through its early diagnosis, and the subsidised vaccination of all at-risk livestock on the property.
‘Finally, the carcass of an animal which has died of anthrax will remain a source of infection for future outbreaks if it isn’t disposed of correctly through incineration and the decontamination of its death site.’
Exclusion testing should be carried out within 48 hours of an animal’s death.
If you suspect a case of anthrax, please contact your local veterinarian, or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Local Land Service, or the Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Real risks posed by prohibited pig feed
Prohibited pig feed (formerly known as swill) is the act of feeding food scraps or food waste that contains meat, or which has been in contact with meat to pigs.
The feeding of prohibited pig feed to pigs is banned in Australia, as it has been shown to cause outbreaks of serious animal diseases overseas.
Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said regardless of how many pigs anyone keeps, pig owners play a vital role in maintaining the health and welfare of Australia’s livestock.
‘There are a number of requirements for pig owners that are mandatory and are monitored by state government and industry authorities,’ Mr Bode said.
‘Pigs are recognised as ‘high risk’ animals playing a potential role in the establishment of a number of exotic diseases that could devastate the agricultural sector and impact on human health.
‘The principal risk is through the feeding of prohibited substances that could contain exotic viruses.’
The exotic diseases most likely to be introduced into Australia through prohibited feeding are foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and either classical or African swine fever (ASF).
Mr Bode said livestock disease control breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s status as a responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, be devastating for affected industries.
As a timely reminder at the Echuca Magistrates Court recently, a local farmer pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 for allowing his pigs to have access to prohibited pig feed.
The farmer was sentenced without conviction, given an 18-month adjourned undertaking to be of good behaviour, with a special condition to pay $2000 to the court fund.
Agriculture Victoria officers attended the property to conduct a prohibited pig feeding audit and observed a sow and piglets contained in a pen with a cow carcass. Lab testing of the carcass detected beef and traces of pork.
The court heard the farmer has since sold all his pigs on the property, removed pigs from his Property Identification Code (PIC) and had his pig tattoo brand disbanded.
Magistrate Mithen, in sentencing, acknowledged Prosecution Services submissions about the biosecurity risks associated with prohibited pig feeding and the impact on the wider community.
He also considered defence submissions about the farmer’s good standing in the farming community, which were supported by character references.
For more information about prohibited pig feeding go to https://go.vic.gov.au/3E0JgSe, or those wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare or traceability breaches can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
VFF asking truck transporters to register for emergency fodder delivery
Victoria is starting to dry out and that means more risk of bushfires.
With the support of the Victorian Government and as part of the Emergency Fodder Support Program, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is reminding truck transport operators to pre-register their details with them.
In the event of a bushfire or other significant emergency, the VFF may call on those registered to help deliver fodder to where it’s needed most.
Drought support information
Farmers across Victoria are using Farm Drought Support Grants to set themselves up for the current and future droughts.
Check out the list of some eligible activities below:
- stock containment areas
- reticulated water systems, pipes and troughs
- irrigation system upgrades– including repairs and maintenance
- grain and fodder storage
- internal fencing
- feed system upgrades
- pasture/crop restoration
- water carting for livestock and essential business activities.
Farmers can claim expenses on eligible activities since 30 September 2024.
For program guidelines, a full list of eligible activities, and to apply visit https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/grants/
Find more information on drought support at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Find more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
The science behind hay fires - Spontaneous combustion in hay occurs when internal heat builds up to the point of ignition, as a result of microbial activity and chemical reactions.
What can you do about an evaporating dam? As we head into the warmer months, it's essential to monitor your water storage regularly.
Reporting varroa mite remains vital in transition to management - Agriculture Victoria is encouraging beekeepers to continue to report varroa mite despite the state transitioning to management of the pest.
Advice on farm water and management decisions - With the long dry period, many farm dams are yet to fill. Support is available to assist with stock water planning and other farm management decisions.
What's on?
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Water planning webinars
When: Every Tuesday from 10 am up to and including 16 December
Join this series of informal presentation led by Clem Sturmfels, a land management extension officer with Agriculture Victoria.
Participants will also have access to a range of other recordings, videos and associated resources.
Topics
- Water self-assessment
- Water planning
- Farm dams
- Pipeline layout and design
- Installation and construction.
Webinar – Plant health pyramid and integrated pest and disease management
This lunchtime webinar will focus on integrated pest and disease management and holistic plant health.
Monday 1 December, from 12 to 1:30 pm.
Learn how soil biology, nutrition and ecological redesign can minimise inputs like fuel and fertilisers – leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions, healthier soils and more profitable operations.
Presenters include:
- Joel Williams, independent plant and soil health educator, Integrated Soils (Canada). A globally recognised authority on soil biology, plant nutrition and agroecology, Joel is based in Canada with extensive work undertaken in Australia, Europe and beyond.
- Dr Mary Retallack, Managing Director, Retallack Viticulture (South Australia). A third-generation viticulturist and PhD agroecologist, Mary leads the national EcoVineyard Program to promote biodiversity, soil remediation and ecological pest management. Over 1,000 growers have attended EcoVineyards events and the program has set up 76 demonstration sites.
Webinar – Taking stock of feed quality
Making metabolizable energy and protein work effectively.
Variable seasonal conditions impact quality and quantity of available pasture, silage, hay and grain. Now is the time to look at what ‘fuel’ – metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) – is available to manage livestock productivity through the season ahead.
Join Dr Jill Kelly to explore the fundamentals of ruminant nutrition to drive performance of the rumen to support good productivity. Making the most of ME and CP in conserved fodder, grain and standing feed is vital in running an efficient production system.
When: 2 December
Where: Online
Time: 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Hear from Julian Carroll and Ed Weatherly using in-paddock weighing for cattle and sheep that assists understanding feed and animal performance.
There are a limited number of free feed tests available to Victorian farmers attending, so register early!
For more information, contact Greg Ferrier on 0438 738 634 or greg.ferrier@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Yarra Valley – Pastures, production and profitability
Starting with presentations before lunch, then a stroll out into the nearby paddocks for a guided walk looking at demonstrations.
10 December from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Chateau Yering, 42 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen
Maryborough – State prohibited weeds training session
This session will highlight a selection of early invader environmental weeds and state prohibited weeds (SPW) relevant to Maryborough and surrounding areas.
Maryborough Community Hub on Wednesday, 10 December from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.
We’re excited to invite you to a free, one-day training session in Maryborough, hosted in collaboration with:
- Agriculture Victoria’s Weed Spotter Program
- DEECA’s Weeds at the Early Stage of Invasion (WESI) Project and Good Neighbour Program
- Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network.
You’ll also learn more about the Good Neighbour Program.
Registration is essential for catering purposes, and places are limited — please register by COB Wednesday 3 December.
Feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested — we’d love to see a great turnout!
Webinar – Circular solutions for farm resilience
Circular solutions for farm resilience explores how circular economy principles can transform Australian agriculture. By rethinking waste and resource flows, farms can reduce costs, generate new income streams and enhance long-term sustainability.
Monday 15 December from 4 –7 pm
The event will showcase practical examples of resource recovery, bioenergy, composting and nutrient recycling, demonstrating how farmers are creating closed-loop systems that benefit both the environment and the bottom line.
Experts from research, government and industry will share tools and strategies that help integrate circular approaches into farm operations.
Join us to learn how adopting circular solutions can make farms more efficient, resilient and environmentally responsible – building stronger rural economies and a cleaner future.
Webinar – Soil constraints and nutrition with Dr Cass Schefe
Thursday18 February 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Unlock the full potential of your paddocks by understanding and managing soil constraints and fertility.
This webinar will equip farmers with practical strategies to improve soil health, boost crop performance and make more informed input decisions, leading to optimised yields and improved emissions intensity.
Meet the presenter - Dr Cass Schefe is a highly qualified soil scientist and leading expert in farm emissions. Cass has been working with farmers across Australia to understand their emissions profile and implement practice change that boosts productivity while reducing emissions.
Topics include:
- identifying and addressing common constraints in Wimmera soils
- maintaining system fertility - not just nitrogen
- maintaining soil carbon
- soil moisture for the season ahead.
RSVP by Monday 16 February.
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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