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Thursday 17 April 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.
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).
Visit the Business Victoria website for more information.
2025 cereal and pulse disease guides now available
Grain growers keen to review their disease management plans for winter crops this season can refer to Agriculture Victoria’s newly released 2025 disease guides for the latest information.
Supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the updated guides rank varieties for disease susceptibility and provide advice on reducing disease risk. The guides are relevant for both new and commonly grown grains such as wheat, barley, oats, lentil, field pea, faba bean and chickpea.
Operation DJANGO fighting illegal exotic animal trade
Agriculture Victoria is leading a crackdown on an illegal network trading in exotic pest animals, with the aim of preventing serious biosecurity breaches.
Operation DJANGO is a joint operation between Agriculture Victoria, the Conservation Regulator and Crime Stoppers Victoria.
Six people have been prosecuted to date, and two others have received infringement notices with fines totalling $105,600. This includes the two largest fines ever issued under Victoria’s Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, with one offender fined $54,000 with conviction.
Remember to protect paddock trees
Remember to protect paddock trees if you’re burning to manage stubble on your property this autumn.
- slash around trees to establish an adequate fire break
- wet the area around trees before beginning your burn
- be prepared with enough people, water and the right equipment to extinguish the fire.
A permit is required during Fire Danger periods.
Visit the CFA website to check restrictions in your area, or register a burn by calling 1800 668 511, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out more about native vegetation and farming here.
Report any concerns about the destruction of paddock trees during stubble burning to your local council.
The Very Fast Break now available
The first 2025 edition of the Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip is now available.
Drought resilience scholarship opportunity –2025 scholarships now open
The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is committed to building capacity that enhances the future resilience of farmers and regional communities. The Vic Hub is offering 5 awards of $2,000 each to support aspiring research students in the delivery of their research.
The awards are open to students conducting research as part of Honours or post-graduate study. Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
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: Wednesday 28 May
Where: Edenhope and District Community Centre
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool
When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Ultima
When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Recreation Reserve (Ultima Football Club Rooms), Culgoa - Ultima Road, Ultima
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Great Western Low Emissions Farming with Cam Nicholson
When: Monday 14 July, 2 to 6 pm
Where: Great Western Hall, 103 Main Street, Great Western
Topics include:
- Productivity benefits to farm business
- External factors driving the need to track farm emissions
- Carbon neutrality vs carbon intensity
- Best calculators to use to determine farm emissions
- Farm data required to calculate emissions
- What solutions will become available to the livestock and grains industry to help lower emissions in the future?
Emissions in agriculture: Opportunities and risks with Cam Nicholson
When: Tuesday 15 July, 1 to 5 pm
Where: Taylors Lake Hall, 2032 Horsham–Lubek Road, St Helens Plains
Topics include:
- Productivity benefits to farm business
- External factors driving the need to track farm emissions
- Carbon neutrality vs carbon intensity
- Best calculators to use to determine farm emissions
- Farm data required to calculate emissions
- What solutions will become available to the livestock and grains industry to help lower emissions in the future?
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – St Arnaud
When: Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/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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