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Thursday 13 March 2025
Drought support events program
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.
Bushfire recovery support
If your business or industry has been impacted by the 2024-25 bushfires in Western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery.
Upcoming supports include:
- Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
- Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.
These programs are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
Thinking of keeping backyard chooks?
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
Chickens can be a great addition to your home, filling various roles such as producing eggs, fertilising gardens, eating your food scraps, plus being a pet and providing companionship for the family.
The most trouble-free chickens to purchase are vaccinated hens at the point of lay (16 – 18 weeks) from a reliable commercial source. You will need at least 2 as chickens are social animals.
Chickens need a well-drained and well-ventilated pen, with enough space to ensure chickens don’t fight, and is functional and easy to clean.
A chicken house should give shade from direct sunlight plus water proofing from rain, particularly where the chickens roost and lay. It works well if the chicken house is located under a tree for shade.
The chicken house should be north facing with an eve about a metre long to protect from the summer sun but let the light in during winter. Make sure the house is tall enough to stand up in. Cover the floor with sawdust to form a deep litter for the chicken’s droppings.
Make sure the chicken house is fox proof and unless the sides are attached to a wooden or concrete floor, dig them into the soil to a depth of at least a half a metre.
Make sure there are no gaps that predators could get in, there are secured catches and locks, and consider using a fox light.
For chickens that are not allowed to roam outside their pen clip one wing, not both, to prevent them from flying. Always secure your chickens in the chicken house before the end of the day.
Nesting boxes need to be off the ground, be deep and fairly dark for seclusion, and regularly add fresh straw. Ideally build the house with outside access to the nesting boxes.
Perches for roosting need to be wide enough for the chickens to comfortably stand on, at a jumping height and the right thickness for their feet.
Chickens are naturally omnivores, so they eat a variety of foods. Pellets are a satisfactory food source but can be supplemented with food scraps.
Don't feed more scraps than the chickens can consume or else the leftovers will attract vermin and create odours, don’t give food scraps that are mouldy or have gone off otherwise you chickens may become sick. Give a source of calcium such as shell grit to help form their eggs.
Commercially available feeders and water dispensers work well – have them off the ground to keep them clean. A round feeder is good for the pecking order as the weaker chicken can be on the other side of the circle and not beside the dominant chicken.
Provide enough pellets for no more than one week to prevent them from becoming stale. Chickens also need continual access to clean, fresh water – they drink a lot.
Monitor your chickens daily for their health, egg production, and food and water availability, and collect their eggs daily. Regularly clean your chicken coop including feeders, drinkers and equipment, and frequently replace nesting materials.
Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after handling birds, eggs or other materials in the coop.
Agriculture Victoria is currently responding to an outbreak of H7N8 avian influenza (bird flu) on four Victorian poultry farms. A housing requirement is now in place only for properties with 50 or more birds in the restricted area.
This disease detection serves as a reminder for all bird owners to routinely monitor the health of their birds. If you suspect your birds are sick, contact your local vet or call the all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
To avoid this happening to your flock avoid contact between poultry and wild birds, keep feed and water in a protected place where wild birds can’t access, and keep your poultry away from water sources frequented by wild birds such as streams, dams, ponds and even puddles. Limit visitors to your birds and use clean footwear.
Safeguarding livestock from pests and disease
The Victorian Government is helping to protect Victoria’s thriving agricultural industry with support for new projects that better control pests and disease that impact our livestock.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence opened the 2025 Livestock Biosecurity Funds program recently, encouraging eligible organisations to apply.
Organisations can use the grants to adopt emerging technologies to respond to unsolved livestock biosecurity issues, encourage collaboration where possible, and provide measurable benefits to livestock and beekeeping industries.
Victoria will continue to face new and emerging biosecurity risks – driven by climate change and increasing trade and travel – so innovative solutions will be essential to help protect Victoria’s agriculture industry.
Agriculture Victoria and the state’s livestock advisory committees set up the grants program which is funded through duties generated by the sale of cattle, sheep, goat and pigs and their carcasses in Victoria, and beekeeper registration fees.
Prospective applicants joined an online forum recently to hear from the livestock advisory committees about what they are hoping to see in applications this round. A recording of the session will be available on the Agriculture Victoria website.
Last year the Cattle Compensation Fund awarded $1.5 million to Veterinary Support Services to run the Victorian Livestock Veterinary Scholarship program – supporting eight early career veterinarians across regional Victoria, providing one-to-one clinical supervision and training from an experienced large animal veterinarian
To apply visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestockbiosecurityfunds. Applications close on 14 April.
Encouraging emerging talent in the wool industry
The Student Bursary to attend the Inaugural Women in Wool Conference and Gala Awards Night is aimed at giving a student, or recent graduate, the opportunity to attend both the Inaugural Women in Wool Conference and Gala Awards Dinner in Geelong on Thursday 3 April 2025.
'The recipient must be a current student or recent graduate in the field directly related to the wool industry. This is a great opportunity for a young woman to attend the Women in Wool conference in Geelong and hear about the latest news and share ideas with others at this event' said President Victoria Fish. 'The future is in the hands of our younger generation no matter what sector of the wool industry they belong to!'
The mission is to empower and uplift women in the global wool industry through the connection, education and promotion of women in all sectors of the wool industry.
Two awards will also be presented at the Gala dinner following the conference.
• Career Legacy Women in Wool Award
• Early Career Women in Wool Award.
Both will recognise the contributions made to the wool industry by emerging young women and those who have made outstanding contributions and significant impacts in the wool industry. These awards are sponsored by Vitale Barberis Canonico.
Nominations close Sunday 16 March 2025.
Summer weeds are flourishing in the south west
Above: Heliotrope
While summer rain is helpful for pasture and crop growth, it also promotes the growth of toxic weeds.
Heliotrope, also known as potato weed, is one of the toxic weeds germinating following recent and sporadic rain in the south west.
Agriculture Victoria Meat and Wool Livestock Industry Development Officer Dr Hannah Manning said these plants flourish in degraded pastures after summer rain so the conditions have been perfect for weed growth.
‘Heliotrope contains a toxin known as pyrrolizidine alkaloid that damages livestock’s’ liver, which is also the same toxin that is found in Paterson’s curse,’ Dr Manning said.
‘Heliotrope is not tasty so stock tend to avoid it but if there is no other feed available, they will consume it.
‘The damage that is done is cumulative, which means, the liver damage increases each time an animal eats heliotrope. This may lead to liver failure or impaired copper metabolism leading to a build-up of copper in the liver.
‘All animals are susceptible to heliotrope poisoning.’
Signs of liver damage associated with heliotrope poisoning often occur soon after cattle and horses are exposed to heliotrope and large losses of stock occasionally occur.
Dr Manning said sheep are more affected by chronic copper poisoning which can result in sudden death when stored copper is suddenly released from the liver leading to a haemorrhagic crisis.
‘This can happen well after sheep have been exposed to Heliotrope.’
The control of heliotrope involves using a combination of pasture management, grazing management, cultivation, and chemical control, consult your pasture agronomist for advice.
Spot and report: Help stop water hyacinth
Did you know that water hyacinth is banned in Victoria?
While it may be used for decoration, food or medicine in other countries, it poses a serious threat to waterways and farmland here in Victoria.
Have you or someone you know grown this weed?
We are offering free, safe removal.
Call 136 186, email weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/waterhyacinth
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.
Apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure grant today
Eligible drought-affected farmers in the south west can now apply for up to $5,000 in co-contribution grants to support establishing on-farm infrastructure such as:
- 💧 water infrastructure upgrades (pipes, tanks, troughs, dams)
- 🐑 stock containment areas
- 🌾 grain and fodder storage.
For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186
Recording: On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot update
Agriculture Victoria has been delivering the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan pilot as part of its commitment under the Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge to provide practical information, tools and services to support farmers understand and reduce emissions.
The team has been working with 250 farm business across Victoria to estimate their on-farm emissions profile and identify potential actions to manage and reduce emissions while maintaining productivity.
In this webinar recording the team provided an update and shared insights on the emissions pilot.
Password: Climate
This webinar was presented on Thursday 27 February.
AgTech Innovators – Episode 5
The Startup Network aims to help entrepreneurs navigate the startup journey, from ideation to securing funding, by offering practical guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The head of community, Ryan Burns, emphasises the importance of founder optimism, customer obsession, and solving real problems as keys to startup success.
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.
GRDC events
PREDICTA®B: 2025 Soilborne Disease Workshop,
GRDC Grains Research Updates, online
- 5 March: Seed quality and implications for sowing
- 12 March: Strategic use of zinc phosphide for successful mouse control
GRDC Farm Business Updates, online
Dealing with autumn - getting ready for the break
This free webinar provides essential guidance on supplementary feeding in drought, helping producers ensure their programs supply the necessary feed to maintain or enhance stock production.
Date: 18 March 2025, 7:30 pm
Contact Rob Shea, Perennial Pasture Systems on 0438 521 357 for more information.
Looking after your livestock, looking after you
Farmers are invited to a one-day workshop to help keep your animals and you going during challenging times.
Location:
North Park Community Sports Centre, Lamont Street, Stawell
Date: 31 March, 9 am - 3 pm (Stawell)
Low emissions farming with Cam Nicholson
A free workshop designed to equip farmers with the information and resources they need to track and manage their farm carbon emissions.
Register with Wimmera CMA online here or contact Bronwyn Bant at bronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au
Location: Great Western Hall, 103 Main St, Great Western
Date: 17 March, 2-6 pm
Location: Taylors Lake Hall, 2032 Horsham-Lubeck Road, St Helen's Plains
Date: 18 March, 1-5 pm
Drench resistance in sheep webinar
Worm control is becoming a significant challenge for sheep producers in East Gippsland, as wet summers drive outbreaks and provide ideal conditions for Barber's pole worm. Increasing drench resistance is making management tougher, highlighting the need for strong worm control strategies to protect flocks and productivity.
Join our upcoming webinar on assessing drench resistance in sheep on Monday, 17 March, 7 pm.
Climate change webinar
Climate change is a significant issue facing irrigated horticulture in the Victorian Mallee, with increasing temperatures and a water constrained environment.
Jeremy Giddings from Agriculture Victoria will summarise the key findings and how the results could be used by industry and government.
When: Wednesday 26 March – 12 pm
All you need to know about water workshop
Everything you need to know about farm water.
Location: 2 Moyston Great Western Road, Moyston
Dates: 18 March and 25 March, 10 am - 3 pm
VFF Stock Sense Calving essentials webinar series
Webinar part 1
When: 18 March
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Webinar part 2
When: 19 March
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
New to calving? Wanting to learn more? Maybe you just need a quick refresher!
This 2-part FREE webinar is perfect for you – hosted by the Stock Sense team and Dr Rob Bonnano.
Get ready for the calving season with a checklist covering everything you need to know.
Structured to cover 101 Essentials, methods to preventing calving problems – a whole system approach, and a Q&A session to conclude.
Watertight water planning workshop
How much water do you have, how much do you need and is it the right quality for the job?
Agriculture Victoria, Southern Rural Water and farmers will present on a range of topics such as preparing a water plan, pipeline hydraulics and water quality for livestock and sprays.
Location: 'Fernleigh Park', 2713 Ballan-Meredith Road Fiskville
Date: 27 March 9 am - 3 pm
Wallup Ag Group Succession Planning success
Together with Wallup Ag Group, we invite farmers to a preliminary meeting to hear tips to pave the way for a smooth transition of your family business.
Location: Wallup Hall, Wallup Hall Road, Wallup
Date: 19 March, 8:30 am - 1 pm
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events for more information.
Birchip Cropping Group events
14 March Young Farmer Network Ball
18 March RiskWi$e Roadshow: Farm Performance
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
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