Thursday 5 June 2025

Drought support for south west farmers

Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.

Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events. 

Expanded drought support package

Assistance for farmers and communities 

The Victorian Government has announced a new and expanded Drought Package – with an additional $37.7 million in funding.

Eligible farmers across the state will be able to access grants of up to $5,000 to support on-farm drought management.

For eligible farmers in the south west, the grant has been increased to up to $10,000.

The Premier has also established a Drought Response Taskforce.

More details will be available soon at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

Farmers can lodge an Expression of Interest for the grants by emailing Rural Finance at: admin@ruralfinance.com.au

A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program

A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program will be available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress. 

In response to deteriorating seasonal conditions across the state more LGAs will be eligible for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program. 

Agriculture Victoria will continue to monitor conditions and ensure support is given to farmers who need it most. 

Find out more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186. 

Workshops to set strategies for farm business success

Agriculture Victoria is hosting upcoming farm business success workshops for farmers located in northern Victoria from June through to July.

The Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success workshops will be facilitated by Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting. Gavin has over 35 years of broad, practical experience in agricultural extension and farm management with a focus on creating high-functioning teams who achieve their goals.

Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Grains Northern Rebecca Mitchell said the workshops are suitable for all members of a farm business.

‘A key outcome of these workshops is the development of a basic business plan identifying actions and options that will help improve farm business management,’ Miss Mitchell said.

Growing the next generation of farming leaders

The Victorian Government is strengthening the future of agriculture by helping young farmers develop their skills and advance their careers through a scholarship program.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the opening of the 2025 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Program, encouraging early-career farmers to apply and gain the tools they need to thrive in Victoria’s agriculture sector.

Applications are now open to young farmers who have been working in a farm business for at least three days a week for the past three months, with a minimum of two years' total on-farm experience.

To apply, visit vic.gov.au/youngfarmers. Applications close 5 pm, 23 July 2025.

Urolithiasis in livestock – what is it and what causes it? 

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

As many producers have been supplementary feeding for some time a number of related animal health issues may emerge. One of those issues is urolithiasis due to bladder stones. 

Bladder stones form as a result of minerals in the urine forming crystals that grow on to become stones. 

Bladder stones may either pass in the urine or remain in the bladder in which case they are not an issue.  

It is when they become stuck in the urethra and cause a blockage that they become a problem as the animal then cannot urinate. This is condition is known as urolithiasis. 

Urolithiasis is mainly seen in wethers and feeder steers. 

The first sign of urolithiasis is restlessness as the animal attempts to urinate. A swelling is then often seen around the pizzle. Finally, the animal may die due to the toxic effects of not being able to urinate. 

Urolithiasis is particularly seen in animals fed primarily grain rations. Grain is relatively high in phosphate but low in calcium. This imbalance predisposes the production of phosphate rich stones. 

When feeding grain, the most effective way of preventing urolithiasis is to add calcium in the form of ground limestone. 

In addition, it is important to ensure that ample water is available to prevent dehydration. The provision of salt will help stimulate water intake. 

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer. 

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found on our website.

Supporting farmer wellbeing breakfast information session

When: Tuesday 10 June, 7:30-10 am
Where: Hamilton Exhibition and Conference Centre

• Do you work with farmers and are unsure how to support them during this tough season?
• Are you a farmer yourself and would like to know how you can support your farming mates?
• Would you like to know what support services are available in the local area?

Join National Centre for Farmer Health for a breakfast information session - everyone welcome!

VFF Stock Sense Sheep Essentials webinar series

When: Wednesday 11 June, 18 June, 6-7:30 pm

Presenter: Alison Gunn

Topics:

• Traceability 101, the do’s and don’ts of sheep care, and what to look for when buying sheep.
• Parasite management, vaccinations, and the importance of a vet/client relationship.

Water Wise Workshop

When: 17 June, 9:30 am to 1 pm 
Where: The Meadows, 795 Meadows Road, Rokewood

Inviting all producers and industry stakeholders to participate in a free workshop with Clem Sturmfels, Adam Buzza from Agriculture Victoria, Southern Rural Water and Michelle McClure, Southern Farming Systems.

Exploring your water options:

• On farm water self assessment
• Water Planning
• Small Farm Dams Project
• Inspecting Small Farm Dams Project Site

Looking after your livestock, looking after you

When: 18 June, 9 am to 4 pm 
Where: Chetwynd Hall

A free workshop with Dr Julie Rowse from Healthy Mind and Soul and Dr Jane Gaussen, The Livestock Vet.

Fully catered, bookings essential.

Know Your Number, Control Your Future

Join North Central CMA to learn how understanding your farm’s number can help you improve efficiency, boost soil health, and gain access to emerging markets, while providing practical insights to help future-proof your business and maintain profitability.

Free workshops will feature locally relevant strategies and be delivered by people who have practical experience in agriculture.

Drop-in sessions at:

• Cohuna = 7 June
• Daylesford - 10 June
• Marong - 11 June
• Swan HIll - 12 June
• Boort - 18 June
• Kerang 19 June
• St Arnaud 2 July
• Castlemaine - 3 July

Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool, Ultima and St Arnaud

When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm 
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool

When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm 
Where: The Ultima Hotel, Ultima

When: 23 and 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm 
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud

Join Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting for a Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success 2 day workshop series commencing in Underbool Wednesday 23 July followed by workshops in Ultima and St Arnaud.

Learn:

• What an effective business plan is and how to define success
• Cashflow management
• Dealing with downturns
• How to undertake a business fitness check
• Identifying success drivers and benchmarking

Catch up with Ag Vic experts Dale Grey and Jim Moran to discuss seasonal risk and biosecurity concerns. Hear Brendan Williams from Autonomous Ag talk about latest in AgTech.

Drought Ready Think Tank

When: Thursday 3 July, 9 am - 4 pm
Where: Horsham Town Hall

Hear about Wimmera Southern Mallee's 11 drought resilience projects and help shape the region’s drought ready future.

Winter drought feeding 'Smoko Sessions'

When: 25 June, 9:30-11:30 am
Where: Ballan Recreation Reserve

Join Rumenate and Ag Vic for a yarn at smoko and pick up practical tips to stay on track during a tough season.

• Getting livestock through winter - Jess Revell, Rumenate
• Decision making and mental wellbeing - Ken Solly, Solly Business Services
• Paddock therapy and recovery - Allan Reid, Reid Rural Solutions
• Financial advice and planning

Drip Irrigation Monitoring and Maintenance Course

When: Wednesday 18 June, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm 
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple

Get the most out of your system and join Agriculture Victoria for a half day session on drip irrigation monitoring and maintenance aimed at maximising farm profitability and efficiency.

Cost: Free

Presenters: Jeremy Giddings (DEECA) and Peter Henry (Netafim)

Interpreting soil moisture monitoring equipment

When: Thursday 26 June, 9-11 am 
Where: Robinvale Hospital Conference Room

When: Friday 27 June, 9-11 am 
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple

Agriculture Victoria, in conjunction with irrigation monitoring and management services company Green Brain (now owned by CropX), is offering a half day workshop for irrigators looking to have a greater understanding of interpreting soil moisture monitoring data.

Success with succession planning - almost fully booked

When: Wednesday 2 July 8:50 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Dimboola Golf Club

Pave the way for a smooth transition of your family business with good farm succession planning. This workshop is for farm business owners, partners and family members.

Presenter, Dr Kate Burke, Think Agri 

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Cam Nicholson

When: Tuesday 15 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm
Where: Apsley Golf Club. 

This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions.  
It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future and highlight the relationship between emissions and productivity.  

Why should farmers attend? 

New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm’s carbon emissions.  

Presenter
Cam Nicholson

Learn more on the GRDC events page.

Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Dr Cass Schefe

When: 22 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm
Where: Kaniva LINK Neighbourhood House. 

This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions. It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future.

Why should farmers attend?

New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm's carbon emissions.

Presenter
Dr Cass Schefe

Learn more on the GRDC events page.

Talk the talk workshop

When: 22 July, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: Harrow Golf Club

A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges.

Bookings essential by 17 July.

GRDC events

GRDC Farm Business Update, online – Cyber security and awareness for farm business

Thursday 12 June, 1-2 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 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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