Thursday 18 September 2025

Drought support available

Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.  

Our website provides information on available supports, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services, and links to other organisations that can help.  

You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.  

Plus, find out about upcoming events in your region and online or by calling 136 186. 

Save the date for Wimmera Pulse Field Day showcase

Agriculture Victoria Research pulse agronomy team at last year's Wimmera Pulse Field Day.

Farmers, agronomists and industry are warmly invited to the annual Wimmera Pulse Field Day on Wednesday 22 October at Kewell hosted by Agriculture Victoria in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

Horsham SmartFarm research agronomist Ash Wallace said the annual field day is an industry networking opportunity not to be missed.

‘Come and see our trials in lentil, field pea, chickpea and faba bean, and hear the latest in pulse research and emerging pulse protein market opportunities,’ Ash said.

‘Growers will be excited to see new large-seeded lentil variety releases from the National Lentil Breeding Program and Grains Innovation Australia and learn how to manage problem weeds in pulse crops.’

‘You’ll also get fresh updates on sowing times, faba bean and lentil nutrition and agronomy know-how to support pulse performance and profitability.'

The program features updates from industry experts including the Agriculture Victoria crop pathology team and Jason Brand, a pulse agronomist from Frontier Farming Systems.

Birchip Cropping Group’s trial manager Kelly Angel and Faba Bean Australia’s breeder, Sam Catt will also be present to share National Variety Trials results. Seed distributors, marketing and export experts will be on hand for current market information.

The free event starts at 9 am and will conclude at 1 pm with complimentary pulse-based morning tea and barbecue lunch available.

Location: 500m north of the intersection at Dimboola-Minyip Road and Keenan’s Road, Kewell. Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kbFsH4o8kKVaPbVx6 

Learn more at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/events

GRDC research scholarship

The GRDC Research Scholarship (GRS) is a 3-year top-up valued at over $38,850 per year, supporting PhD candidates whose research tackles challenges or creates opportunities in the Australian grains industry. It complements existing RTP scholarships and aligns with GRDC’s RD&E Plan 2023–28. Exceptional applicants without an RTP may also be considered, especially in areas needing research capacity.

• Applications Open – 8 September 2025
• Deadline for submission enquiries – 8 October 2025
• Applications Close – 15 October 2025

Possible causes and the management of downer cows 

Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer 

As we enter the spring calving season, you may find a downer cow in your herd, there are several potential causes of this. The correct diagnosis and treatment of the condition could help save your time and money and protect your cow’s welfare. 

Physical injuries 

Calving paralysis is usually, but not always, associated with heifers and a difficult calving. 

During calving, a cow’s nerve, known as the obturator nerve, may be crushed between her pelvis and the calf.  A cow with calving paralysis will appear bright and alert but have no control over one or both hind legs.  

The only treatment is time and careful nursing; anti-inflammatory drugs may help if used early.  Calving paralysis needs to be distinguished from injuries such as dislocated hips and back injuries. Such injuries can occur in any aged animal, often after an accident, such as a slip.  

A cow with these injuries will also be bright and alert and usually eat and drink normally.  A veterinarian should be called to assess these animals. 

Metabolic diseases 

Metabolic diseases can be distinguished from physical injuries by the presence of other clinical signs. 

Milk fever is often seen in older, high-producing, fatter cows. A cow with milk fever will show fine muscle tremors, staggering and weakness. 

Grass tetany is seen during times of stress, such as bad weather, on short grass-dominated pastures. An affected cow will become aggressive, excited, go down and paddle and convulse violently.  Both milk fever and grass tetany should be treated urgently with 4-in-1. 

Pregnancy toxaemia or acetonemia is an energy deficiency problem seen in cows whose diet is deficient in energy. Behavioural signs will be seen before the cow goes down. Cases may indicate a dietary deficiency affecting the entire herd. 

Toxaemia (blood poisoning) 

Mastitis, metritis or any other generalised infection causes toxaemia or blood poisoning.  

A cow with toxaemia will appear depressed, with a dry nose and sunken eyes.  It is important to check the udders of downer cows for mastitis and the uterus for tears or severe infections. 

Care of the downer cow 

Prompt treatment with appropriate veterinary drugs and good nursing are the keys to successfully treating a downer cow.  The first step is to determine why the cow is down and treat it accordingly.  

Cows should only be nursed if they have a realistic chance of recovery. Otherwise, they should be humanely destroyed. 

When nursing a downer cow, move her to a dry, sheltered shed and provide her with comfortable, dry, soft bedding on a non-slip surface. Sit her on her chest, position her correctly, and roll her from side to side at least twice a day. Provide her with feed and water.  

Use hip clamps for only a few minutes to help her get on her feet. 

For further advice, please contact your local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer.

Startups secure funding for circular farming solutions

The Victorian Government is helping agricultural startups find smarter, more sustainable ways to farm – making the industry safer, cutting down on waste, and protecting the environment.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced that 2 innovative Victorian AgTech startups – WoolGrow Australia and CForge – have each been awarded $35,000 to help bring their circular agriculture solutions to market, following their impressive performances in the CivVic Labs Circular Agriculture Challenge.

Delivered by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency and supported by Agriculture Victoria, 10 startups took part in a 6-week intensive workshop, receiving $15,000 in equity-free funding, expert mentorship, and tailored guidance to refine their ideas and deliver practical outcomes.

Safe Food Victoria: Help shape the future of food safety

The Victorian Government is cutting red tape and making it easier to get fresh food to Victorian families with a new food safety regulator.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas recently announced the new, stronger regulator, Safe Food Victoria – designed to better protect public health and continue to give communities confidence in the safety of their food.

Victorians are now encouraged to have their say on the role of the new body, with the feedback to help shape its focus and priorities, including how they currently interact with other regulators and councils, and how the new regulator should operate.

Blowflies buzz off!

With rain and warmer temperatures heading into spring, sheep producers will need to keep flystrike prevention front of mind.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Brittany Price said producers should plan ahead to implement flystrike prevention and control programs to assist in managing the disease.

FlyBoss is a free website resource that provides producers with specific tools for flystrike control.

Ms Price said these controls include shearing or crutching, breech modification, selective breeding, dag management, and preventative chemical treatment.

‘The FlyBoss website allows producers to compare their current management system with an alternative system taking into account their location.

‘This can help inform decision making in relation to the dates of shearing and crutching, and preventative treatment application.

‘During high-risk periods producers must inspect their stock regularly to identify and treat any fly struck sheep.’

Flystrike in sheep can show up as restlessness, loss of appetite, a strong smell, and visible maggots in the wool.

The following treatment method is recommended for fly struck sheep:

• shear struck wool and a 5 cm barrier of clean wool around the strike close to the skin to remove maggots
• collect the maggot-infested wool into a maggot-proof (plastic) bag and leave the bag in the sun for a couple of days to kill all maggots
• apply a registered flystrike dressing to the shorn area to prevent re-strike
• remove struck sheep from the mob and place in an isolation paddock and monitor (stuck sheep attract more blowflies)
• cull struck sheep from breeding programs.

Ms Price said if treatment is not a viable option, humane euthanasia must be carried out.

‘As with all veterinary treatments, it is essential to observe the withholding period and keep accurate records of any treatments administered.’

For further information on the management and treatment of flystrike please visit: www.flyboss.com.au

To find information about available drought support visit  www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Ag Vic Talk season 10 -Samantha Pritchard from People in Paddocks and north east farmer Sheree Henderson

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found on our website.

Virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly – 23 September

When: Tuesday 23 September
Time: 9-10 am

Drought smokos are an hour a fortnight to get away from the paddock and catch up with a group of farmers who are all in the same boat!

We will talk about the science of feeding, how much, which commodities, pros and cons, cost, different options, trigger points and planning.

Dr Jillian Kelly is a vet and nutritionist from Coonamble, in north-west NSW. She ran drought smokos every fortnight through the 2018–20 drought and it made a difference to hundreds of farmers and thousands of livestock.

Silage, hay and pasture webinar series

Spring is here and silage, hay and pasture recovery will be top of mind for many producers. 

Join us for a lunchtime webinar series running every Wednesday for 3 weeks from 24 September until 8 October from 12:30-1:30 pm. 

• Webinar 1, 24 September – Silage Success with Frank Mickan 
• Webinar 2, 1 October – Hay Done Right with Frank Mickan 
• Webinar 3, 8 October – Bounce Back Pastures with Andrew Speirs from Meridian Agriculture 

Find more information on drought and technical decision-making support at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought 

Managing soil acidity: cost effective lime strategies

When: 24 September, 9:45 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Skipton Golf and Bowling Club

Australasian Seed Science Conference 2025

Water market workshop

When: Thursday 25 September, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Swan Hill Club, 5/17 McCallum Street, Swan Hill

• Unsure what water prices will do this year?
• What drives the water market?
• What can you do to manage water risk?

Join RMCG at an upcoming workshop to gain some insight into the water market and what you can do to help manage your water risk.

Mildura workshop TBC.

Grains biosecurity awareness webinar

When: Monday 30 September
Time: 9-10 am

Plant Health Australia (PHA), the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Grain Producers Australia (GPA) have partnered to deliver a new webinar series focused on biosecurity in the grains industry. 

The first webinar in the series, Grains biosecurity awareness – spring 2025, will cover:

• key biosecurity threats to grains for spring 2025
• simple steps you can take to reduce risk on your farm
• how biosecurity supports a strong and profitable industry
• who to contact if you see something unusual in your crops
• upcoming activities to help build industry preparedness.

The webinar will also outline how PHA, the GRDC and GPA are working together to strengthen biosecurity across the grains industry. This is a free online session open to all growers, advisers and others working in the grains industry.

SARLC Bouncing back from dry times

Image credit: Southern Australia Livestock Research Council

When: 1 October, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Hamilton Showgrounds, Shakespeare Street, Hamilton

Join the Southern Australia Livestock Research Council for a free one day event that will equip farmers with practical strategies to boost productivity and profitability post-drought.

Presenters:

• Lisa Miller SFS - Strategies for underperforming pastures
• Angus Brown, Mecarda - Livestock market insights
• Sandy McEachern, Aggregate Consulting - Knowing your numbers, benchmarking
• Nigel Kerin, Kerin Ag - Strategies for bouncing back from dry times

Enquiries: Johnny Gardner - 0418 508 923

Hamilton Farm Safety Day

Farm safe and strong - Practical tips for improving safety on the land

When: Friday 3 October, 9 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Hamilton SmartFarm, 915 Napier Road, Hamilton

Join WorkSafe for a hands-on event dedicated to improving safety and well-being in agriculture – and especially during challenging times. Through expert-led demonstrations and practical advice, attendees will learn safer methods for cattle handling including loading and unloading cattle, preventing Q fever and needle stick injuries.

Whether you’re managing or working on a family farm or a large property, or you are a student in agriculture, this event offers valuable insights and tools to protect your livelihood, your team, and yourself. Come away informed, connected and better equipped for a safer future on the land.

Pasture Cropping Workshop

When: 3 October, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Loddon Plains Landcare Network, Inglewood

Farm business health check

When: 8 October, 8:30-11 am
Where: Nareen Hall

Join us for a free breakfast and hear from guest speaker Neville Brady.  Neville will speak about improving team (family) performance by reducing conflict.  You will get a farm business health check, looking at gaps between actual and ideal structures

RSVP: Sardie on 0478 053 943. 

Soil moisture probes and grain storage

When: Monday 13 October, 3-6 pm
Where: 'Girvan Lea', 55 McGenniskens Road, Wonwondah

Join fellow farmers for a practical, on-farm workshop designed to help you get the most out of the Wimmera soil moisture probe network and improve your grain storage practices. The workshop will include presentations by Chris Warrick GRDC grain storage specialist, Tim Powell (Integrated Irrigation) and Dale Boyd (Ag Vic) followed by an inspection of a soil moisture probe, grain silos and a complimentary dinner. 

GRDC events

Birchip Cropping Group 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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