No images? Click here
Thursday 20 February 2025
Have you got your emergency kit ready?
It’s crucial to have a refuge area/paddock or stock containment area ready for your livestock during emergencies, with adequate feed and water for their safety.
Use the Fire Preparedness Toolkit and web resources to start planning for stock containment areas, emergency feeding and water budgeting.
Avian influenza detected at third nearby property
Agriculture Victoria has confirmed H7N8 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) on a third poultry farm in Euroa. This new detection is in close proximity to the 2 other infected properties.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell said given the close proximity of these 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.
Control orders have been in place since H7 was first detected on a poultry farm on 8 February, restricting 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 km radius around the farms, with a broader control area spanning 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, products (including eggs and manure) or equipment into, out of, or within the area without permit,’ Dr Bell said.
‘This includes selling or giving away eggs from your poultry – these must not leave your property.’
With the confirmation of H7N8 on a third property, a housing requirement remains in place for properties with 50 or more poultry in the restricted area. This includes Euroa and extends approximately 5 km from the affected properties in all directions.
To reduce the risk of further disease, birds on these properties must be kept in cages or sheds to avoid contact with other birds. This is a proven method to minimise direct contact between poultry and wild birds.
Poultry and 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,’ he said.
‘Immediate notification from poultry owners when they notice their poultry are unwell is crucial to us getting on top of this outbreak.’
Community members must report suspect disease and sudden poultry death by calling the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Dr Bell thanked the impacted properties for their cooperation and reassured 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
Worm burdens – is it the time right to strike?
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
Cast your mind back to recent years, the relatively wet summers of 2021-23 led to high worm burdens in your livestock.
This summer we experienced a burst of early rain in December that may have reduced the effectiveness of an early summer drench.
Since then, it has been relatively hot and dry, and this may provide you a window of opportunity to give an effective, strategic summer drench.
Strategic summer drenching usually involves an effective drench at the beginning and end of summer. This is to take advantage of the destruction of worm larvae on pasture by heat and the lack of moisture.
The life cycle of the worm involves both your pasture and the animal. While the drench fixes the animal problem, the hot, dry conditions of summer will help eliminate the pasture problem.
Before doing so, it is worth establishing which, if any, parts of your flock require drenching.
Drenching is both expensive and time consuming therefore pre-drench faecal egg counts (FECs) will put some science and evidence into whether to drench.
Furthermore, worm resistance, particularly to the white and clear drenches, is common in Victoria.
Unnecessary overuse and the incorrect use of drenches just add to the problem.
Ineffective chemicals and/or an inadequate drench procedure can reduce the effectiveness of summer drenching.
After drenching, try to put your sheep onto low-risk pastures. These may be paddocks previously grazed by cattle, cut for hay or silage, or grazed by low-risk sheep such as older wethers.
Ewes rearing lambs, and lambs after weaning are the most susceptible sheep in terms of worm burdens.
Large reinfestations of worms can occur in as little as 3 to 6 weeks if your drenching program is ineffective.
For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.
Spot and report: Protect Victoria from harmful weeds this summer
Enjoying Victoria’s beautiful outdoors this summer? You can help protect it by stopping three harmful weeds: water hyacinth, salvinia, and alligator weed.
These state prohibited weeds kill fish and frogs, threaten native plants, block waterways, pipes and drains, and – in the case of alligator weed - even risk human health.
Growing, trading or sharing these weeds is illegal in Victoria.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) – one of the world’s worst water weeds, water hyacinth blocks sunlight and clogs waterways. It kills fish and frogs and helps mosquitoes breed. Birds and floods can spread seeds and plants to nearby rivers and lakes, where it’s hard and costly to control.
Look for its glossy green leaves and purple-blue flowers.
Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) – Salvinia spreads quickly, infesting rivers, dams, lakes, and irrigation channels, harming farms and waterways. Its floating leaves have a hairy surface, and its submerged leaves look like roots.
Small fragments from ponds or aquariums can spread this weed.
Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) – Alligator weed grows on land and in water, blocking irrigation systems and contaminating pastures. It has bright green leaves in pairs and small white flowers on stalks. Though it looks like edible greens, it is unsafe to eat.
Alligator weed is banned in Victoria, and health experts warn that eating it could cause health issues.
Spot and report these weeds – free removal available in Victoria.
If you think you’ve seen one of these weeds, contact Agriculture Victoria:
Call 136 186
France raises a glass to Victoria’s world-class wines
Victorian wines will be on show at the world’s largest wine museum in France, highlighting the state’s reputation as a premium wine makers – thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson announced Victorian wineries will be featured at the iconic La Cité du Vin trade museum in Bordeaux, France. La Cité du Vin is a major tourist attraction that welcomes more than 400,000 wine lovers every year.
The Victorian wineries on display at La Cité du Vin include Ten Minutes by Tractor, William Downie, Bests Great Western, Yarra Yering, Brown Brothers, and Chambers Rosewood Vineyards. As part of the two-year partnership, other Victorian wineries have the chance to be displayed in the future.
The wineries on show are from Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, Grampians and Hume – highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of the wines we produce as part of our $9 billion wine industry.
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.
AgTech Innovators – Episode 3
Impactful investment in AgTech, with Madeline Mitchell
Interested in attracting investment for your AgTech startup?
Dr Madeline Mitchell, previously from Breakthrough Victoria discusses how her organisation identifies and invests in the agrifood startup ecosystem. She also shares some insights on how you can better position your startup for success.
Have your say on strengthening Victoria’s biosecurity laws
We are seeking your feedback on 2 proposals aimed at strengthening the state’s biosecurity system – critical to protecting agriculture, public health, animal welfare, and market access.
Acting Executive Director at Agriculture Victoria, Kris Duthie invites farmers, veterinarians, livestock owners, agricultural and horticultural businesses, including nursery, and the general public, to have their say on two proposals.
Raising spirits: Grants open to boost Victorian distilleries
The Victorian Government is supporting local distillers to expand production, create innovative new products and reach more customers than ever before.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence visited Bakery Hill Distillery in Kensington to announce the opening of applications for the Business Growth Fit-for Purpose grants as part of the Distillery Door Program.
Grants of up to $200,000 are available for tailored projects that help distillers to grow their business with new equipment, technology, or promotional projects.
The grants encourage investment in areas that will expand distilleries, create new opportunity and growth for the industry.
Tackling the Tough Topics
The National Centre for Farmer Health has recently released a handbook titled Tackling the Tough Topics outlining best practice guidelines to help individuals and groups plan successful farming community events with a mental health focus.
The guidelines seek to provide the knowledge, resources, and support needed to organise successful events and avoid potential problems that can be damaging to vulnerable individuals and/or their communities.
What's On
Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.
Grains Research Update
Location: Ulumbarra Theatre, Gaol Road, Bendigo
Date: 25-26 Feb, 9 am - 4 pm.
Webinar – On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot Update
Join our upcoming webinar to hear from our On-Farm Emissions Action Plan pilot team.
The team has been working with 250 farm businesses across Victoria to estimate their emissions profile and identify actions to manage and reduce emissions while maintaining productivity.
The team will provide an update and share insights on the emissions pilot and participant Jonathan Jenkin will discuss his experience with the program and how they have used their action plan and knowledge of their emissions to make changes on the farm.
When: Thursday 27 February – 12 noon.
Research Results Day – Irrigated Farm Systems
Join Irrigation Farmers Network on 28 February, as they delve into the 2024 irrigated research trial results.
Gain valuable insights, explore key findings, and discover practical applications to enhance your farm system. This is a free workshop.
Mitigating risk in changing seasons – How can we better manage risk in spring to optimise production? How can we ensure we are getting 'bang for our buck' with water?
Create a flexible irrigated farming system that can adapt to seasonal variation by adjusting inputs or targets to deliver the greatest profitability.
Irrigated variety trials – What varieties are you using? Are they the best for your system? What are other options that might perform better?
Location - Cadell on the Murray, 325 Perricoota Road, Moama.
Morning tea and lunch provided.
Climate change and farming with Graeme Anderson
The Bestwool/Best lamb group invite producers to learn more about climate change with Graeme Anderson, Agriculture Victoria’s Climate Specialist. Graeme comes with 35 years experience in science, farm planning and agricultural industry development.
This free workshop will cover:
- seasonal variability and climate change
- recent trends and what to plan for in future
- what forecasts can and can’t tell us
- strategies for farm planning and adapting to changing conditions.
When: 3 March, from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Boronggook Drysdale Library, 2-8 Wyndham Sreet, Drysdale.
Sustainable property management through Healthy Hectares project
Small property land managers in the North East are invited to a free Healthy Hectares introductory session on Thurs, 6 March, from 7-8 pm at The Centre for Continuing Education, Wangaratta.
This session offers an overview of the innovative Healthy Hectares program, a series of 6 tailored workshops delivered over 7 months, starting April.
Workshop to create animal health plans for your sheep
Join Agriculture Victoria and sheep veterinarian Dr Frankie Collett from Rochester Vet Clinic for a free workshop.
At this interactive workshop you will identify local health issues and learn about their prevention and treatment option solutions to create an animal health plan for your flock.
An animal health plan is an important tool for farmers to minimise biosecurity risks and increase animal performance.
Date: 5 March, from 9.30 am – 2 pm
Where: Rochester Community House, 45 Mackay St, Rochester
Light refreshments will be provided, please note dietary needs at registration.
To register please contact Erica on 0429 807 689 or at erica.schelfhorst@agriculture.vic.gov.au or online by clicking on the button below.
Agriculture events in or near the Towong Shire
25 February Online – Optimising ewe lamb joining outcomes Optimising Ewe Lamb Joining Outcomes Project Meeting Tickets | TryBooking Australia
27 February at Rutherglen – Riverine Plains Harvest Wrap-Up, with strategic liming presentation and cultivator display Harvest Wrap Up Rutherglen
27 February Online On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot update | Events | Support and resources | Agriculture Victoria
4 March at Culcairn – Riverine Plains Harvest Wrap-Up and Farm Water Planning Day Harvest Wrap-Up & Farm Water Planning Day – Culcairn
6 March at Howlong – Just the facts on carbon farming workshop Just the facts on Carbon farming Howlong
11 March Online Every drop counts: Farm water management webinar series
12 March Online RIC Webinar – Get ‘RIC Ready’ to apply for a low-cost farm business loan Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
15 March at Crown Lounge Beer Deluxe Albury – Riverine Plains Graze Networking Event for 18–40-year-olds working in agriculture. Graze
HERD 25
Herd'25 is a biennial conference with a program tailored to attract the herd improvement, genetics and animal performance industry.
Location: All Seasons Resort Hotel, Bendigo
Date: 12-13 March.
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
This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.