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Thursday 18 June 2026
Guide helps farmers cut emissions and boost efficiency
Agriculture Victoria has released a new edition of Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm, a practical booklet to help producers manage emissions while improving farm efficiency.
Agriculture Victoria farm emissions specialist Alison Kelly said the update focuses on fuel and energy efficiency, as well as providing practical carbon and emissions information that farmers can consider for their farm.
‘Built on the experiences and results of farmers in Agriculture Victoria’s On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot, the updated booklet shares what’s working in real farming systems and how others can follow suit,’ Mrs Kelly said.
‘The new booklet sets out practical ways farmers can reduce fuel use, improve machinery efficiency and how renewables can generate energy bill savings.
Biosecurity strengthened through private vet training
Private livestock veterinarians across Victoria have benefited from recent animal disease investigation (ADI) courses led by Agriculture Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jeff Cave said the courses were delivered in Ellinbank, Elmore, Rutherglen and Hamilton by Agriculture Victoria’s district veterinary officers and a pathologist from AgriBio, to classes of 12 veterinarians, generally local to each region.
‘The 2-day intensive courses focused on upskilling Victoria’s livestock vets to conduct disease investigations and especially how to respond to exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease,’ Dr Cave said.
‘A strong, well-trained veterinary network is one of our best lines of defence in protecting Victoria’s livestock industries.’
Boost for businesses impacted by varroa mite
Pictured above, Horticulture Sector Officer James Rowe
More support is now available to businesses and beekeepers who rely on bees for their income and pollinating their crops.
Agriculture Victoria has appointed James Rowe as a new horticulture sector officer to support pollination-dependent businesses affected by varroa mite.
James brings strong experience to the role, having previously worked in the apiary sector supporting beekeepers with the transition to management of varroa mite. He also has an extensive agricultural background, having worked in the broadacre and horticulture sectors.
James’s experience with pollination-dependent industries stems from his involvement in pasture management and the industries that rely upon European honey bees.
In his new role he will support businesses by providing information, guidance and access to resources as pollination services increasingly rely on managed commercial European honey bee hives.
Vet Talk - winter worms in sheep
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
Worms and scours can be a significant problem in weaners and lambing ewes with the limited feed and cold stress of winter.
Winter conditions provide ideal conditions for the survival of worm larvae on pastures, and feed may also be short. Sheep that are nutritionally stressed and in light condition grazing short pastures are likely to be affected by worms and scouring.
Worms should be considered in all ill-thrifty or scouring sheep, regardless of when the sheep were last drenched.
To help establish whether worms are the cause, you should consider the following:
- the sheep’s nutrition, including the feed availability, supplemental feeding, and stocking rate
- the sheep’s class and condition, including their body condition score
- the drench program, including the product/s used and date/s drenched, particularly the time since the last treatment.
To know for sure, faecal samples from at least 5 affected and 5 non-affected sheep should be submitted for worm egg counts.
Unlocking productivity in high P-fixing soils
Fertiliser is one of the most significant input costs facing growers, so knowing where to apply it to maximise return on investment and profitability is critical.
A new Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment is aiming to improve strategies for managing phosphorus in high phosphorus-fixing soils (high P-fixing soils) in the southern and western regions of Australia.
The four-year, $9.96 million project is led by Agriculture Victoria (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change), in partnership with several organisations.
A significant cropping area in the southern and western regions includes soils that fix high amounts of phosphorus, meaning they rapidly convert applied phosphorus into immobile forms that are poorly available to plants.
High phosphorus fixing soils decrease phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), reduce crop yields by up to 50 per cent, and can result in a poor return on phosphorus fertiliser investment.
Project leader Dr Ashley Wallace from Agriculture Victoria said high phosphorus fixing soils include highly calcareous, alkaline soils in SA and western Victoria and also acid-gravel soils that contain ironstone nodules in the south-west of WA, the lower Eyre Peninsula, southern Mt Lofty Ranges in SA and the Victorian and SA high rainfall zones.
More support for Look Over the Farm Gate events
An additional $400,000 is now available through the Look Over the Farm Gate program to support farmers in drought and bushfire recovery.
Delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health, the program funds community-led events with grants of up to $5,000 each, bringing people together to support farmers and their families.
Director Climate, Resilience and Communities, Amanda Pagan, said more than 40,000 people have attended over 320 local events since June 2025.
‘From community barbecues and farm visits to movie screenings and steak nights, these events are helping reduce isolation and strengthen connections when they are needed most.
‘Communities across the state have made great things happen through this program, showing the power of what can be achieved when people work together to support each other.
‘Through Look Over the Farm Gate, we’ve seen communities step up – bringing people together, checking in and offering practical support and connection.
Support is available for farmers in fire recovery
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires are encouraged to check what support they may be eligible for to help with recovery.
Victoria’s Rural Assistance Commissioner Peter Tuohey said recovery from fires can take months or years and support is still available.
‘Recovery doesn’t stop when the fires are out. For many farmers, the real work is just beginning,’ Mr Tuohey said.
‘Farmers have been getting on with the job and may not realise what support is available to ease some recovery pressures.
‘I encourage anyone affected to take a moment to see what’s available. You might be eligible for assistance that can make a real difference.’
Bushfire recovery grants and concessional loans
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
- Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Bushfire recovery events
Our team will be on hand for a chat at upcoming fire recovery events and activities.
Here’s what’s coming up:
Euroa recovery hub, Thursday 25 June
Euroa Special Sale, Wednesday, 1 July
Euroa Recovery Hub, Thursday 2 July
Yea Store Sale, Friday 3 July
Keep accurate records when spraying by drone
Accurate records help protect crops, manage spray risks and ensure you meet your legal obligations.
Records must be made within 48 hours of spraying and be kept for 2 years.
You must record:
- product name and application rate
- date and exact location of use
- what was treated
- wind speed and direction (if outdoors)
- name and contact details of who applied/supervised/ordered the job.
All drone operators, pilots and chemical users are responsible for record keeping.
Webinar recording: Protecting Mallee Soils: Seasonal Outlook, Land Management and Monitoring Wind Erosion
If you missed our recent Zoom webinar about protecting Mallee soils, you can catch up by clicking the following link:
Passcode: kFEDVE
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open now
Look Over the Farm Gate grants are now open for new applications!
Support from community is an important part of getting back on track for farmers and farming families in drought and bushfire recovery.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Look Over the Farm Gate is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.
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.
Trees on Farms Utilisation Program
Applications are now open for the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program.
Eligible Victorian landowners can receive a free expert assessment of their timber plantations, including tailored management advice and potential market pathways.
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
Webinar recording: Pasture research update
Missed our recent Emissions in Agriculture Community of Practice meeting? You can now catch the full recording.
Hear from Agriculture Victoria researchers Kevin Smith and Dr Anna Thomson as they share insights from two exciting pasture projects:
MultiMix Project
Testing diverse mixes of grasses, legumes and herbs to build more climate-resilient pastures—boosting sheep productivity while reducing methane emissions and fertiliser reliance.
Resilient Forages
Exploring nutrient-dense, diverse forage systems to support productive, profitable dairy farms under climate and cost pressures.
Watch the Zoom recording: https://tinyurl.com/2prrbn9w
Passcode: 170626
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.
What's On
Varroa mite and the effect on pollination services
When: Monday 22 June, 12:30 pm – 3 pm
Where: Tatura SmartFarm, 255 Fergusons Road, Tatura
When: Tuesday 30 June, 12:30 pm – 3 pm
Where: Tooleybuc Sporting Club, Lot 1 Lockhart Road, Tooleybuc
These sessions look at the effect Varroa mite will have on pollination services and horticulture businesses that rely on pollination.
Topics include:
- What has changed and what is expected
- What is a good beekeeper and how do I find them
- Hives – what is healthy, how many are required and when
- Tips for successful beekeeper engagement
- Pollination from a beekeeper’s perspective.
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
When: Tuesday 30 June, 12 midday – 1:50 pm
Where: Online
Free GRDC NGN funded workshop style webinar for grain growers and agronomists. Two sessions covering how to identify, select and implement the right on-farm connectivity solution for your farm.
Interpreting soil moisture monitoring equipment
Pictured: Green Brain soil moisture monitoring graph image courtesy CropX
When: Wednesday 15 July, 9–11 am
Where: Agriculture Victoria Office Corner Koorlong Avenue and 11th Street, Irymple
When: Thursday 16 July, 9:30–11:30 am
Where: Conference Room, Robinvale District Health Service, Latje Road, Robinvale
Half day workshops for irrigators looking to have a greater understanding of interpreting their soil moisture monitoring data. This workshop has been held regularly for a number of years and has been highly popular with irrigators.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their login details and share their data with the group if appropriate.
Places are limited for this workshop. Please contact Jeremy Giddings, Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Irrigation Mallee at email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au for further information.
GRDC Grains Research Update – Dookie
When: Thursday 23 July, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Dookie Campus, Bar Lounge, University of Melbourne, 940 Dookie-Nalinga Road, Dookie
The update for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers to see and discuss the latest in research and to network with their peers.
National Alpaca Show 2026
When: 7-9 August
Where: Bendigo Showgrounds
National auction, fleece show, art and photography competition.
BCG’s Main Field Day 2026
When: Wednesday 9 September, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Where: Main Research Site at Birchip
BCG's Field Day draws growers, advisors, and industry professionals together to explore advances in crop management, weed control, soil nutrition, new varieties, and farming systems.
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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