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Thursday 8 May 2025
Boost pastures using effluent
Rachael Campbell, Dairy Industry Development Officer
Benefit your pastures by emptying your dairy effluent ponds. The extra water and nutrients can kick start growth, ready for follow up rain.
Effluent ponds are designed to contain effluent over winter, so must be emptied before the start of the wet period.
Although it is getting closer to winter, if soils are still dry, now is the time to ensure your storage ponds are relatively empty.
Effluent is a great resource, however, if the pasture plants are dead, an application of effluent will not revive them.
If the plants are a honey colour with some sign of green leaves, then an application of effluent will provide a great boost.
Consider the following when applying effluent:
- avoid grazing paddocks until at least 21 days after an effluent application to reduce the risk of nitrate poisoning
- transition cows shouldn’t be grazed on high potassium paddocks to avoid metabolic problems – this includes paddocks where effluent has been applied
- young stock shouldn’t have access to adult stock areas or areas where effluent is stored or has been applied
- when applying effluent to new pasture or crops, wait until the crop is established, as effluent is often high in salts that can burn the seedlings
- rotate effluent application paddocks regularly to make the best use of nutrients contained in effluent and avoid overloading a small area
- soil test effluent application paddocks and modify fertiliser applications as appropriate.
An effluent test is recommended before application, as nutrient levels vary depending on several factors and this way the effluent can be applied at appropriate rates to benefit your pastures.
Find more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support.
Plant biosecurity services changes
Changes and improvements to how you move plants and plant products into Victoria are coming.
From mid-2025, some of our plant biosecurity services will be delivered through Agriculture Victoria Connect, a new online system streamlining access to registrations, licensing and permits.
What’s new?
- Submit plant consignment notifications
- Apply for or renew compliance agreements
- Request verification inspections
You can create a profile and register your business now to make sure you’re ready.
Popular irrigation incentive program set to benefit even more Gippsland farmers
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria are pleased to open a new round of farm plan incentives, and for the first time, farmers in Warragul, Thorpdale, Noojee and Perry Bridge and across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment are eligible to apply.
Up to $10,000 per farm is available through the Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program to help with the cost of a professionally designed irrigation plan.
Working towards a safer future for farming families
Fourth-generation Wimmera farmer Scott Arnold knows that safety improvements can have a big impact – not only on productivity but on peace of mind.
Looking for safety training videos for horticulture?
Check out Fruit Growers Victoria Ltd’s new safety training videos for cold room storage and cherry pickers.
Lack of practical safety advice in multiple languages is a continued challenge for the fruit growing industry. In addition, cold room storage and cherry picker safety are prolonged points of concern.
Keep yourself, your family and your workers safe and well – know how to manage the risks.
In case you missed it
What's On
Creating an Animal Health Plan for Sheep - Swifts Creek and Bairnsdale
When: Thursday 22 May, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: DEECA offices, 13 McMillan Avenue, Swifts Creek.
When: Friday 23 May, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Gippsland Ag Centre, 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale
Join us and veterinarian Dr Alison Gunn from Herd Solutions for an interactive workshop.
We will discuss local health issues and learn about their prevention, treatment options and create an animal health plan for your sheep flock.
Meeting the needs of your livestock: feeding by-products
When: Wednesday 28 May, 12:30 pm
Join our webinar about using by-products to meet nutritional needs.
By-products can provide a source of energy and protein, supplementing traditional feed sources.
Agriculture Victoria’s Brett Davidson, Regional Manager Dairy Services, will bring his extensive knowledge in feed management to discuss types of by-products, nutritional benefits, and potential considerations when using these feeds.
Topics:
- Suitable by-products
- Meeting your stock’s nutritional needs
- Potential considerations including storage and feed out
Farming Stronger Workshop
Farming is more than just hard work – it’s about working smart to maintain peak performance, make sharper decisions, and build a resilient, high-performing farm business and team. Join us for Farming Stronger: Tools for Peak Performance, a practical, results-driven workshop designed to give farmers the science-backed strategies used by top performers to sustain energy, manage stress, and optimise their operations—even in the toughest seasons.
When: Tuesday 27 May, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Duart Homestead, 20 McLean Street, Maffra.
BetterBeef and BestWool/
BestLamb Network Roadshow
Agriculture Victoria’s BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb network are hitting the road!
The 2025 Beef and Sheep Network Roadshow will bring top industry experts to four locations across Victoria, delivering the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.
When: Tuesday 3 June, 8:30 am to 2 pm.
Where: Lardner Park, Warragul.
Drought Resilience 2025
When: Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July
Where: Deakin University, Geelong.
Join experts from all disciplines to learn about and discuss the latest drought resilience research.
Food & Fibre Gippsland are holding drought resilience workshops in April and May across the region.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
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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