Thursday 6 March 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. 

Help stop salvinia 

The only species of salvinia recorded in Victoria is Salvinia molesta – a highly invasive State prohibited weed. 

Salvinia has two kinds of leaves, floating and under-water. It is illegal to grow, display, buy, sell or share salvinia anywhere in Victoria.

Use the 3D model of salvinia to get an extreme close-up of salvinia to help you identify and target this threat.  

Report salvinia by calling 136 186, emailing weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au or online agriculture.vic.gov.au/salvinia 

Summer weeds are flourishing in the south west 

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 the 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.   

Moyston workshops: all you need to know about water

Agriculture Victoria in conjunction with a local farmer are running a 2-day water workshop at Moyston in Western Victoria on 18 and 25 March.

The 2-day workshop will cover a broad range of topics from siting and construction of farm dams, planning and designing a water reticulation system, preparing a water plan and the more practical aspects of pipeline installation and construction.

Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer, Clem Sturmfels said the workshop is suitable for people new to farming as well as those with plenty of farming experience.

‘Whether you are looking at your water options, planning to build a new dam or have signed up for the new East Grampians Rural pipeline this workshop is for you.

‘The workshop will commence at 10 am and run until about 3 pm on both days.

‘Each day will start with presentations and activities in the Moyston Recreation Reserve rooms followed by a farm visit after lunch,’ he said.

Mr Sturmfels said a highlight of the workshop will be a presentation by local farmer Anthony Pola who, with his wife Jane and parents John and Karyn, run a mixed farming enterprise about 10 km north of Moyston.

‘Anthony will discuss their experiences in installing more than 5 km of piping, tanks and troughs across their farm.

‘He will also touch on their experience in siting, designing and constructing a drought reserve dam’ he said.

Register now for the workshops.

Further information on drought and dry seasonal conditions support available can be found online by calling 136 186.

This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Agriculture Victoria.

Recording: On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot update

Presented by Agriculture Victoria:

• Graeme Anderson, Climate Specialist
• Ralph Behrendt, Senior Specialist, Climate Change
• Alison Kelly, Emissions Specialist
• Jonathan Jenkin, 'Banemore'.

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.

The presentation included agricultural industries and their key emissions sources and sinks, the emissions assessment process, actions that farmers can do now and some of the projects farmers have conducted following their emissions assessment and action plan. 

Pilot participant Jonathan Jenkin discussed his experience with the program and how they have used their action plan and knowledge of their emissions to make changes on the farm.

View the recording

Duration: 71 minutes (including questions)

Password: Climate

This webinar was originally presented on Thursday 27 February 2025 at 12 pm AEST
All climate webinar recordings can be found on our website. Visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-webinars

Use a netting fence to protect from dam pollution

Constructing a netting fence above your dam can reduce the amount of organic material entering during and after a storm.

Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer Clem Sturmfels said while thunderstorms can produce needed run-off, they can also result in large amounts of dry grass, manure, soil and other material being swept into your dam.

‘If left unattended, these materials will sink to the bottom and decompose, impacting water quality.

‘Netting fence sediment traps are quick and easy to erect and can be made using second-hand materials.

‘Netting fences slow the speed of water and trap large organic materials. As the water slows, heavier sediments drop to the bottom while the organic materials trapped on the fence act as a filter for finer materials,’ he said.

‘To be most effective, the netting fence needs to be well supported with steel posts and follow the contour of the land.

‘By making the base of the fence follow a level path, the water can spread out in both directions along the fence. The longer the fence, the more material that will get trapped. The ends of the fence need to be turned uphill to increase capture of materials.

‘Commercial geo-fabric silt fences are great for trapping finer materials, however they transmit water very slowly and are not recommended for concentrated flows of water.

‘Clean straw bales placed tightly together and pegged down with steel posts can also be used to create an effective sediment trap.

‘Alternatives include synthetic silt fences, sediment ponds or a simple diversion bank with drop boards to manage flows into your dam.

‘Regardless of design, all sediment traps should be regularly inspected, maintained and emptied following major storm events.’

Mr Sturmfels said sediment traps can only do so much to prevent dam pollution, and the best strategy is to ensure you maintain good ground cover and fence out all larger dams.

‘Stock access to water can be maintained using a hardened access ramp or by pumping to a tank and trough arrangement.’

For more information, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

For more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186

Dr Mary Cole wins Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award

The winner of the 2025 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award has been named as Dr Mary Cole for her pioneering work in biological farming and soil microbiology, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices for future generations.

Dr Cole accepted the Award at a ceremony presented by Michaela Settle MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Agriculture, Victoria.

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

Getting started in AgTech, with Ryan Burns

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 📰

Media articles and releases

Maintain ground cover to protect soils

Putting Victoria’s pets at the paw-front 

Monitor and manage your water – it’s a critical farm asset

Avian influenza detected at fourth Euroa property

What's On

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events.

Better pasture management: Manipulate or renovate? 

with Lisa Warn 

The Colac BetterBeef group invite producers to a free pasture improvement workshop with Lisa Warn from Lisa Warn Ag Consulting. The practical session will help you assess the current state of your pastures to decide what action to take to optimise pasture growth, quality and sustainability. 

Lisa is an agricultural consultant and researcher with a long history of working in grazing industries. She is well known for her research in evaluating grazing systems and pasture persistence, as well as identifying soil constraints to pasture growth.  

The workshop will help you: 

• Assess pasture performance  
• Decide where to get the best return on investment - Manipulate or Renovate? 
• Use grazing management to improve productivity and persistence of pastures and reduce weeds.
• Plan cost effective fertiliser programs.
• Reduce use of herbicides and need for re-sowing.

When: Wednesday 26 March, 9:30 am –  2:30 pm 

Location: Beeac Community Hall, 55 Lang Street Beeac  

If you have any questions, please contact workshop coordinator Hannah Manning , 0419 315 468 or at hannah.manning@agriculture.vic. gov.au 

Set up your Carbon Accounting: Derrinallum

Friday 21 March, 10 am - 2 pm

Lismore Land Protection Group and Corangamite CMA

Set up your carbon accounting with Cam Nicholson.

This hands-on training is using the new Agricultural Innovation Australia Carbon calculator.

Cam Nicholson, a leading industry expert, will guide us through a real-world example to demonstrate how the tool works and show you how to apply it to your business.

This workshop will give insights into carbon strategies that add value to your farm. Take a copy of a new training manual developed as part of this event.

This event is free and catering is provided.

To register, RSVP to lismorelpg@gmail.com or 0439 059 202

Getting the Dirt On Carbon: Identify and Understand the Problem (What, where, when?) Colac

Friday 28 March, 10 am - 3 pm

This workshop series builds farmer capacity to apply practice change to reduce CO2 and/or CO2e emissions in the Colac Otway Shire. Many strategies for reducing emissions and sequestering carbon have co-benefits - increasing biodiversity, increasing water quality and waterway health, animal health, improving ecological function, soil biology and human health. Participants will witness practice change in their own community and landscape, through peer learning and sharing. Experts in their respective fields will present at three logically sequenced workshops.

Workshop 1 - Identify and understand the problem (What, where, when?)

• What is carbon, CO2 and CO2e in relation to land management, stewardship and farming in a changing climate?
• The carbon and water cycles role in Climate Change. 
• What is the current state of play regionally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally in the carbon field and climate situation?
• What and where are forms of carbon and greenhouse gases in farming systems? (emissions and sequestration - blue/teal carbon, trees, pasture, soil, animals, produce, vehicles, fertiliser, lime, etc.) 
• Methane reduction technologies and how carbon markets may intersect with the incoming nature repair market

This event will be delivered in partnership between Central Otway Landcare Network and the Climate Action Team and is supported by -

The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.

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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