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Thursday 5 March 2026
Get shearing done to prevent animal welfare issues
Agriculture Victoria is reminding sheep owners of their responsibility to manage wool length, so it doesn’t become excessive.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Jeff Cave said sheep with more than one year’s wool growth are highly susceptible to heat stress and disease and those with overlong fleeces are also more likely to become cast – lying on their side and unable to rise.
Victoria expands support for beekeepers
Agriculture Victoria is boosting its commitment to the state’s beekeepers who are crucial to our food security, with the appointment of 2 new bee biosecurity officers in Bendigo and Attwood.
This investment through the Victorian Varroa Transition program, adds to the 4 existing apiary inspectors, with the roles providing practical support to commercial and recreational beekeepers adapting to living with Varroa mite.
Livestock tag prices lowest in Australia
Victoria continues to lead the nation in supporting its livestock producers, offering Australia’s lowest priced National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) ear tags.
Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Executive Director Charlotte Austin said the outcome of recent competitive tender process means producers can buy tags at prices equal to or lower than last year.
‘Victorian producers continue to access NLIS tags at some of the nation’s lowest prices, keeping on-farm costs down and upholding our world-class traceability reputation,’ Ms Austin said.
‘The cheapest NLIS cattle tag is now available for just 72 cents when ordered online through Agriculture Victoria, down from 75 cents last year.
‘By comparison, cattle producers in other states are paying between $2.50 and $4.00 per NLIS cattle tag,’ Ms Austin said.
The range of approved NLIS cattle tags has also expanded, including a one-piece metal tag from Shearwell Australia and NLIS tags manufactured by Enduro Tags and FOFIA.
Sheep producers will also benefit, with the cheapest NLIS sheep tag now available for $1, well below unsubsidised prices in other jurisdictions.
‘The recent tender process secured strong wholesale pricing, supported by subsidies from Victoria’s livestock compensation funds, delivering significant savings producers.
More than two million cattle tags and 10 million sheep tags are expected to be purchased in 2026.
The electronic tags enable livestock movements to be recorded on the NLIS database as animals move between properties, saleyards and abattoirs.
‘This system allows livestock to be traced quickly and efficiently during food safety or disease incidents, helping protect Victoria’s domestic and protect access to export markets.
‘Victoria led the development and introduction of the NLIS (cattle) in the 1990s, and the NLIS (sheep and goats) commencing on a mandatory basis in 2017.
‘Victoria’s livestock industries can be justifiably proud of their long-standing contribution to the development and operation of Australia’s internationally recognised traceability system,’ Ms Austin said.
Producers can order their NLIS tags by visiting Purchase Tags Online.
For more information on the operation of the NLIS in Victoria, click the button below or call 1800 678779 during business hours.
Be part of the planning for sustainable water use in Victoria's west
The development of a new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy has begun in recognition of the drought and dry conditions impacting much of western Victoria.
The strategy will cover the western third of Victoria, extending from the south-west coast, across the Wimmera and to the southern Mallee.
This includes the towns of Colac, Warrnambool, Portland, Port Campbell, Hamilton, Ouyen, Horsham, Avoca, Stawell, Ararat and Edenhope - a vast area that has a unique mix of agricultural and towns - all of which have difference values for water.
Community input is an important part of understanding local feedback, concerns, opportunities, and water values.
Expressions of interest are now open for community members who have knowledge and experience in water supply and quality matters to participate in working groups to guide development of the strategy.
EOIs for roles close on March 16.
Protect your dam with a burnt netting
Pictured: A sediment trap constructed with fire damaged netting and steel posts
Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer
Fire damaged netting and steel posts can be repurposed to become a valuable resource to construct sediment traps after a bushfire.
Sediment traps are commonly installed following bushfires to protect dams, roads, tracks, stream crossings and a range of environmental assets from fire debris and sediment that can be washed downstream after heavy rain.
Victorian Food Safety Standards - have you registered?
To help growers navigate the registration process to comply with the new food safety standards for berries, leafy vegetables, and melons, Agriculture Victoria has created a step-by-step Food Safety Registration Guide.
Agriculture Victoria will be communicating directly with many unregistered businesses to ensure you register and are meeting your compliance obligations, noting that action on unregistered businesses may be considered during 2026.
The Food Safety Standards apply to all berry, melon and leafy vegetable businesses that grow or complete primary or ‘early-stage’ processing, including small producers operating farm-gate, u-pick or local market stands. Under the Food (Primary Production and Processing) Regulations 2025 registration with Agriculture Victoria is a legal requirement for all Victorian leafy vegetable, berry, and melon businesses.
If you have any questions, please contact food.safety@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Staying safe in side-by-sides
Wearing your seatbelt and helmet means you can be there for your family.
Keeping Victoria’s Farmers And Animals Safe
The Victorian Government is making it easier for farmers to protect their livestock from pests and diseases and keep their farms productive.
The 2026 Livestock Biosecurity Fund Grants Program funds initiatives that help prevent, monitor and control diseases in animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, swine and honeybees.
This support will make it more affordable for farmers, reducing the financial burden of managing pests and diseases while easing the day-to-day costs of keeping animals healthy.
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by recent bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Emergency Relief Drinking Water program
Communities in bushfire affected areas and who are not on reticulated (town) water, may be eligible for a tank refill of up to 20,000 litres through the Emergency Relief Drinking Water program.
Your household may be eligible if you are not on reticulated (town) water and rely on tank water for domestic use, and your household tank has been impacted by fires.
Impacts may include that you’ve emptied your tank for fire-fighting purposes, or it may now contain ash or other contaminants.
Essential Water Replacement
In a bushfire FFMVic and CFA may need to take water from private property using tankers or aircraft to help put out fires.
If essential water is taken from your property, you can make a request for its replacement via the FFMVic website.
Essential water is water that is needed for:
- health of residents and pets
- Health and productivity and stock
- Agricultural and horticultural crops, permanent plantings and intensive industries.
Farm Drought Support Grants
Pictured: The grant covers activities like constructing new or upgrading existing feed systems - feed pads or feed troughs
Use a Farm Drought Support Grant to make on-farm infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as grain feeders, troughs, pasture restoration, stock containment areas, and more.
Farmers in south west Victoria can access $10,000.
Wellbeing counsellors
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line.
Providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across the north and south west.
Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:
- Managing stress
- Building resilience for tough times
- Balancing work and life with practical tools
- Getting support for big decisions and life changes.
To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 735 578.
Find out more at wswrcs.com.au/
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Farm Advisory Service
Farmers from across the state have access to 2 one-on-one consultations with a technical specialist.
Specialist consultants include agronomists, veterinarians, animal nutritionists, business advisors and farm planners, with expertise across dairy, beef, sheep and wool, horticulture and cropping.
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open
In response to the bushfires and ongoing drought, Look Over the Farm Gate applications are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government. For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
For more information on bushfire support, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
Multispecies pastures tutorial series with Jade Killoran
When: Monday 16 March, 4 pm - 5 pm
Where: online
In this series of four online tutorials, multispecies pasture specialist Jade Killoran will discuss the establishment and management of your multispecies pastures.
Each tutorial will focus on a topic essential for the success of your multispecies pasture:
- Monday 16 March - Seeds
- Friday 20 March - Paddock Preparation
- Monday 23 March - Grazing Management
- Thursday 26 March – Monitoring Tools
Introduction to Lean and drought support planning
When: Tuesday 17 March 2026, 3 - 4:30 pm
Where: online
Running a farm business in a challenging climate is no small task – but you don’t have to do it alone.
This free webinar is designed for business owners and management teams seeking practical tools, fresh perspective and support to begin planning for a stronger, more sustainable future for their business.
Machinery Investment – Riskwi$e Workshop
When: Thursday 19 March, 9 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Charlton Park, Calder Hwy Charlton
Machinery represents one of the largest and most volatile cost centres in a farm business, with decisions around purchase, replacement and scale having long-term implications for profitability and risk.
Facilitated by Rob Sands (Aglytica), this hands-on workshop will give you the skills to weigh up the pros and cons of purchasing machinery and ultimately, justify the decision based on sound agronomic and economic considerations.
The VeggieBox 2026 - Plant & Soil Health
When: Thursday 26 March, 2:30 - 5 pm
Where: Fresh Select, 610 Duncans Rd Werribee South
Victorian vegetable growers are invited to a practical workshop at Fresh Select with international soil expert Joel Williams from Integrated Soils.
Learn about plant and soil health in vegetables, including managing sodium/salts, and high chloride irrigation water.
Participate in a paddock walk featuring a brix meter/refractometer demonstration and a visual soil health assessment.
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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