Thursday 10 September 2026

Locust response preparedness takes flight in north west

Agriculture Victoria is stepping up support for landholders and managers to prepare for higher-than-normal locust numbers in the state’s north-west over coming weeks.

An incident management team has been established and spring surveillance has begun in the Mallee, initially to confirm the locations of egg beds where earlier egg laying activity was recorded.  

Surveillance is focusing on 7 priority local government areas*, based on forecasts showing a moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in the Mallee and a low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in the Wimmera.

Incident Controller Melissa Cann said priority areas were determined through surveys in May, following reports of high locust activity driven by favourable weather conditions for breeding.

‘The May surveillance, undertaken with the Australian Plague Locust Commission, provided the data to inform the likely spring risk and direct where response efforts should be focused.

‘Agriculture Victoria has established the Incident Management Team as the coordinating agency to ensure information and support is provided to all land managers who are responsible for surveying and spraying on their land.

‘We are encouraging landholders and managers to join surveying efforts over the coming weeks and report sightings of locusts which will refine priority areas and timing for spraying.

‘Spraying will be most effective around 2 weeks after hatching when young locusts are on the ground and banding together but not yet flying.

‘It’s difficult to predict the exact hatching times but based on forecasting data and surveys from earlier in the year, we expect it to start in the northern Mallee from mid to late this month, and slightly later in the Wimmera,’ Ms Cann said.

Agriculture Victoria will support private landholders, councils and public land managers throughout September and October by conducting surveillance and collecting public reports, and identifying when and where locust management activities, such as ground spraying, should be implemented.

‘Locusts can cause serious damage to pasture, crops and horticulture, also impacting road users, so effective treatment is essential.

‘Early reporting helps support accurate advice to landholders and managers and leads to a reduced risk of widespread impacts,’ Ms Cann said.

To report locust activity, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/locusts. You can also report locust activity to the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

​​​​​​​*Priority local government areas include Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh.

Plan now for the fire season

A farm map is a useful tool when it comes to developing your fire preparedness plan – and it may prove vital in the case of fire.

Use it to highlight where your critical assets are, including:

• assembly areas and evacuation/exit points
• farm gates and internal fences
• water sources, water tanks and pumps
• stock refuge areas and stock yards
• stock disposal sites
• vegetation.

Share it with family and employees.

For more tips on developing a farm map – either online or on paper – get your copy of the Fire Preparedness Toolkit:

You can download the toolkit via the button below or request a hard copy by emailing recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Drought Support Package

As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.  

Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:  

• Farm Drought Support Grants
• Farm Advisory Service - 1:1 consultations  
• Look Over the Farm Gate grants   
• Rural Financial Counselling Service Wellbeing Counsellors    

To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.      

Watch for bloat as spring pastures take off

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region

Livestock producers are being urged to remain vigilant for bloat in cattle as spring growth accelerates across the region.

The condition is most commonly seen when cattle rapidly consume lush, immature legume-dominant pastures such as clover and lucerne.

While bloat can occur on any pasture, it is far less common where grasses dominate.

Bloat develops when fermentation in the rumen produces gas that becomes trapped as foam rather than being released through normal belching.

The resulting pressure causes the animal's abdomen, particularly on the left side, to swell noticeably.

In severe cases, the first sign of a problem may be dead cattle in the paddock.

Fox bait misuse results in charges

A property owner from Buffalo has been charged at the Wonthaggi Magistrates Court in relation to the misuse of 1080 fox baits.

Roger Davis was charged and convicted of multiple offences and ordered to donate $3,000 to the RSPCA after he was found to have incorrectly used the regulated chemical on his property.

Agriculture Victoria Program Manager, Daniel Bode said the accused did not hold the appropriate authorisation for the use of 1080 in Victoria.

‘1080 fox baits must be used according to the product label and the Directions for the Use of 1080 and PAPP Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria.

‘These documents outline the use requirements, including neighbour notification, prohibiting the use of the product in domestic situations, signage information and distance restrictions.

‘The accused had placed the baits in locations deemed not safe for domestic situations, due to the proximity to his neighbours.’

Very Fast Break

The Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip for September is now available. 

We love to receive your feedback. If you have comments, questions or feedback, please contact Dale Grey at the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au 

H5 bird flu update

H5 bird flu is present in wild birds in Victoria. Bird flu cannot be controlled in the wild.

From 20 August, bird flu reporting in Victoria has changed to align with the national reporting framework.

We now report H5 bird flu events, rather than individual detections. The new number of positive events captures all previously reported individual confirmed detections.

You can explore confirmed events on our interactive map.

H5 bird flu has not been detected in poultry.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. Avoid direct contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or using the form below.

For updates, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu and follow Agriculture Victoria on Facebook.

For more information about the situation across Australia, visit Bird flu

Bushfire recovery

Grants and concessional loans

Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.

• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income.

Grant applications close 4 pm, 21 October.

Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants

What's On

APAL: Implementing AI tools in the orchard

When: Monday 14 September, 1–2 pm
Where: Online

Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, but what can it actually look like when applied to the day-to-day management of an orchard?

Following his popular session at the 2026 APAL Industry Forum, strategic foresight and AI consultant Sami Mäkeläinen returns for a practical webinar exploring how growers can turn AI tools into useful applications within their businesses.

Sami will work through a real-time example using a voice-based AI agent to assist with planning and recording orchard activities, including how structured notes can be generated and built up as the season progresses.

PPS annual conference: Adapting for the future, making pasture go the distance

When: Tuesday 15 September, 8 am registration, 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Ararat Town Hall

Tickets:

• PPS members – $65
• Non-members – $95
• Agricultural students – free

Registration includes morning tea, lunch, the conference book and the farm tour on Wednesday 16 September.

Conference dinner will also be held at Ararat Town Hall. Pre-dinner drinks from 5 pm, Dinner from 6 pm. Dinner tickets are $70 per person and can be added when booking.

Bookings can be made at: https://pps.memberjungle.club

Enquiries: Sinead Barker info@perennialpasturesystems.com.au

Success with succession planning

When: Thursday 17 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Corryong Events Centre, 54 Strzelecki Way, Corryong

When: Friday 18 September, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: Yarck Hall, 6583 Maroondah Highway, Yarck

When: Tuesday 6 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Elmhurst Golf Club, Golf Course Road, Elmhurst

Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.

Presented by Dr Kate Burke, an independent consultant with extensive experience in coaching and facilitating farm business strategy. 

Farm Fire Preparedness

When: Monday 5 October 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Molesworth Public Hall, 4364 Goulburn Valley Highway, Molesworth

When: Thursday 8 October, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Osbornes Flat Hall, 315 Osbornes Flat Road, Osbornes Flat

Livestock owners are invited to attend a practical workshop to help prepare their property for bushfires.

Participants will:

• learn key actions to take before, during and after a fire event
• hear expert advice on farm infrastructure, property preparedness, livestock management, business continuity and recovery
• use planning templates and an A3 farm map to support their own bushfire preparedness
• gain additional skills and knowledge needed to help shape future bushfire preparedness workshops and training opportunities.

Places are limited, register by Thursday 1 October.

GRDC 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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