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Thursday 26 February 2026
Keep an eye out for highly invasive water hyacinth
Pictured: Water hyacinths are a vibrant green floating plant with a stalk of many pale purple flowers that have a distinctive yellow spot, surrounded by a darker purple patch on the uppermost petal
Victorians are urged to keep an eye out for water hyacinth after an infestation on a rural property in Anakie, north of Geelong.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a State prohibited weed (SPW) declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.
Agriculture Victoria Leading Biosecurity Officer Incursion Control Kaitlin Wright said it’s considered the world’s worst water weed and has infested rivers, dams, lakes and irrigation channels on every continent except Antarctica.
Fast Break newsletter out now
The Fast Break details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises 3-month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria.
View the latest issue for Victoria.
If you are interested in reading past issues of The Fast Break, please email dale.grey@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Consider stock water after fire
The impact of the Victorian fires on farmers and livestock has been significant. Along with feed, a reliable supply of good quality water is essential for stock retained on affected properties.
Water is critical to avoiding health issues, maintaining production and meeting animal welfare needs. Unfortunately, in many cases, water tanks, pipes, troughs and pumps have been destroyed or damaged due to these fires.
Even where this infrastructure is still operational, if larger numbers of stock are confined to a small area of the farm, it can result in an inadequate water supply.
$10,000 fine for Numurkah sheep farm manager’s cruelty
A Numurkah sheep farm manager pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court recently for multiple counts of animal cruelty. Stephen Gapes was fined $10,000 as part of an aggregate sentence with conviction.
In September 2024 in response to a welfare complaint, officers attended the property and observed 350 sheep contained in a heavily grazed paddock with no supplementary feed supplied to compensate.
Watch out for parthenium weed in interstate fodder
Pictured: Parthenium features deeply lobed leaves in a rosette and on the stem, with small white flowers up to one centimetre wide at the end of each branching stem
Farmers importing or receiving donated fodder from interstate due to drought or after the recent Victorian bushfires are reminded to watch out for weeds growing from seeds contained in hay, particularly the State prohibited weed parthenium weed.
Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager Angela Constantine said biosecurity threats like parthenium weed or Parthenium hysterophorus can add pressure to already stressed systems.
WorkSafe tractor safety
Passing on accurate safety advice protects you now and for generations to come.
WorkSafe has a suite of practical information to help keep farmers safe on tractors available.
Life Membership for two outstanding contributors
Pictured L-R: Tony Gregson, John Ferrier (BCG Chair), Dr Tony Gregson AM, Fiona Best (BCG CEO)
Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) has proudly awarded Life Membership to two outstanding contributors, Trevor “Waffle” Grogan and Dr Tony Gregson AM, in recognition of their extraordinary service, leadership and commitment to farmer driven research.
The honours were presented at BCG’s 2026 Trials Review Day on 20 February, surrounded by farmers, researchers and staff, a fitting setting to acknowledge two individuals who have helped shape the organisation from its earliest days.
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by recent bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Emergency Relief Drinking Water program
Communities in bushfire affected areas and who are not on reticulated (town) water, may be eligible for a tank refill of up to 20,000 litres through the Emergency Relief Drinking Water program.
Your household may be eligible if you are not on reticulated (town) water and rely on tank water for domestic use, and your household tank has been impacted by fires.
Impacts may include that you’ve emptied your tank for fire-fighting purposes, or it may now contain ash or other contaminants.
Essential Water Replacement
In a bushfire FFMVic and CFA may need to take water from private property using tankers or aircraft to help put out fires.
If essential water is taken from your property, you can make a request for its replacement via the FFMVic website.
Essential water is water that is needed for:
- health of residents and pets
- Health and productivity and stock
- Agricultural and horticultural crops, permanent plantings and intensive industries.
Wellbeing counsellors
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line.
Providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across the north and south west.
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 735 578.
Find out more at wswrcs.com.au/
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Farm Advisory Service
Farmers from across the state have access to 2 one-on-one consultations with a technical specialist.
Specialist consultants include agronomists, veterinarians, animal nutritionists, business advisors and farm planners, with expertise across dairy, beef, sheep and wool, horticulture and cropping.
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open
In response to the bushfires and ongoing drought, Look Over the Farm Gate applications are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government. For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
For more information on bushfire support, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
Wimmera Machinery Field Days
Date and time: 3 - 5 March, 8:30 am - 5 pm (4 pm Thursday)
Where: 37 Field Days Road Longerenong
Our staff will be at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days to chat all things bushfire recovery, drought, grains, livestock, animal health, research and more. Come find us in the Moore Pavillion.
Confinement feeding sheep - Harrow
Date and time: Thursday 5 March, 9 am - 12 pm
Where: Harrow Bush Nursing Centre Function Room, 24 Blair Street Harrow
Come along and hear from Dr. Jillian Kelly about establishing and running a sheep confinement feeding area. Livestock nutrition, ration formulation, sheep management and animal health will be discussed
Introduction to Lean and drought support planning
When: Tuesday 3 March 2026, 10 - 11:30 am
Where: online
Running a farm business in a challenging climate is no small task – but you don’t have to do it alone.
This free webinar is designed for business owners and management teams seeking practical tools, fresh perspective and support to begin planning for a stronger, more sustainable future for their business.
International Women's Day morning tea with Alison Watkins AM
When: Wednesday 4 March, 10am - 11:30 am
Where: 210 - 212 Manifold Street, Camperdown
Join us in celebration of International Women’s Day with morning tea and a keynote address from Alison Watkins AM. Alison is a trailblazing national leader and owner of a cropping and cattle property near Camperdown.
From leading ASX‑listed companies to guiding some of Australia’s most significant institutions, Alison brings a unique blend of corporate vision and regional perspective.
Multispecies pastures tutorial series with Jade Killoran
When: Monday 16 March, 4 pm - 5 pm
Where: online
In this series of four online tutorials, multispecies pasture specialist Jade Killoran will discuss the establishment and management of your multispecies pastures.
Each tutorial will focus on a topic essential for the success of your multispecies pasture:
- Monday 16 March - Seeds
- Friday 20 March - Paddock Preparation
- Monday 23 March - Grazing Management
- Thursday 26 March – Monitoring Tools
Machinery Investment – Riskwi$e Workshop
When: Thursday 19 March, 9 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Charlton Park, Calder Hwy Charlton
Machinery represents one of the largest and most volatile cost centres in a farm business, with decisions around purchase, replacement and scale having long-term implications for profitability and risk.
Facilitated by Rob Sands (Aglytica), this hands-on workshop will give you the skills to weigh up the pros and cons of purchasing machinery and ultimately, justify the decision based on sound agronomic and economic considerations.
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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