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Thursday 21 August 2025
One-on-one farm advisory service
All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist.
The advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to help farmers take stock and develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is suited to your situation, from a consultant that you nominate from the registered panel.
Agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists and farm business advisors, can support you with:
- feed and water budgeting
- farm safety and workload management
- farm business and financial management
- soil health and pasture re-establishment
- animal health and welfare, and more.
For more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Farm Drought Support Grants
The Victorian Government is providing practical support to farmers impacted by drought.
The Farm Drought Support Grants (formerly On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants) program is available to assist primary production businesses to implement on-farm infrastructure improvements and undertake essential business activities that improve drought.
Eligible farmers will receive up to $5,000 (ex-GST) as a co-contribution grant that will support activities including water infrastructure upgrades (such as pipes, tanks, troughs and dams), stock containment areas, and grain and fodder storage.
Avoid losses from exposure following shearing
Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer
It is well known that wool is an excellent insulator, therefore imagine the effect when it’s suddenly gone.
A freshly shorn sheep, especially if in light condition, may experience a threefold increase in heat loss and therefore prone to hypothermia. Shorn sheep are at greatest risk of cold stress in the first 3 days (or nights) after shearing, and remain at risk for up to 2 weeks, with mortalities seen in some mobs up to 4 weeks after shearing.
Although there is little wool growth, acclimatisation and considerable skin thickening occurring after shearing. It is therefore essential to closely monitor predicted weather conditions before putting shorn sheep into a paddock after shearing.
The impact of cold weather, particularly when combined with wet and windy conditions, can be severe for sheep.
The impact of the cold weather will depend on its duration, rainfall, wind speed, and temperature.
The type of weather most likely to cause catastrophic sheep losses due to hypothermia is usually associated with the passage of a strong cold front or a rain-bearing depression.
Sheep grazier alerts are issued when a combination of rain, wind, and low temperatures reaches a critical level.
If a sheep grazier alert has been received at the end of shearing, shed as many sheep as possible and provide hay for the duration. Once the bad weather has passed, move the sheep to a paddock with adequate shelter and continue to provide supplementary feed.
In areas prone to winter storms, a 'cover comb' or 'snow comb' can be used, which leaves ½ cm of wool to help protect against hypothermia.
Once freshly shorn sheep get cold, they may become extremely difficult to move, so always put shorn sheep into a protected paddock with plenty of shelter from the cold and wind.
Off-shears paddocks should be small and well protected from cold winds by relatively impermeable shelter belts. Extra feed should be provided to the mob for up to 4 weeks following shearing to meet their increased energy requirements.
Shearing a month before lambing encourages ewes to seek shelter and hence protection for their lambs. However, pre-lambing shearing must only be considered if ewes are in good condition and have free access to good feed and shelter. Heavily pregnant ewes should not be subject to the handling and feed deprivation that shearing involves.
For further information, please contact your local veterinarian or an Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
Travellers urged to check luggage for hitchhiking toads
An unexpected guest has been found in a Melbourne motel room – and it wasn’t on the booking list.
Agriculture Victoria is urging travellers to thoroughly check their luggage for unwanted stowaways after an Asian black-spined toad was recently discovered at a city motel.
Strengthening food security in Victoria
The Victorian Government is strengthening planning rules to support and secure food production and protect our agricultural land and green wedge as Melbourne grows.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced an amendment to the Victorian Planning Provisions to make it easier to establish micro-abattoirs where they are needed most.
Growing Victoria's plantations estate to its strength
The Victorian Government is fast tracking the establishment of timber plantations in Victoria, helping to boost local timber supply for construction and manufacturing and create more jobs.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced $10 million as part of the Victorian Plantation Support Program to establish new long-rotation timber plantations.
Seeking private vets
Private vets play an important part in an Emergency Animal Disease response
Agriculture Victoria is looking for private vets to help support future emergency animal disease outbreak response efforts.
Emergency response work for private vets could include:
- investigation of suspect cases
- in-field surveillance
- diagnostic sampling
- euthanasia and vaccination.
Putting your hand up is a great opportunity to share your expertise, learn new skills and help protect Victoria’s agriculture sector. Casual employment and veterinary service contracts are available.
Training and resources
We have a range of online courses tailored for vets available on our website covering different topics, including some that contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
Apply now for Summer of Cyber Program
Summer of Cyber is a government program being delivered in partnership with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN).
The program is boosting the cyber capabilities and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses and startups across all sectors, including technology.
It aims to bridge the cyber skills gap by connecting businesses with skilled women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates.
The program works by matching businesses with women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates to solve cyber-related challenges over 10-12 weeks, at no financial cost to the business.
To participate, businesses will need a cyber-related problem or project that needs solving. Businesses are also expected to provide in-kind support including:
- mentoring and guidance to students
- holding meetings with the project team and being involved in the process
- providing a desk and equipment for the student (if permitted).
Applications for the Victorian Government’s Summer of Cyber Program are now open and close on 15 September 2025.
For all enquiries, please contact summerofcyber@awsn.org.au
We are joined by Jason Letchford from the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia and Craig French from Australian Wool Innovation.
In this Farming Safe and Well episode, they discuss the key safety issues in the shearing industry, including musculoskeletal injuries, exposure to viruses, and the importance of improved shearing shed safety.
Learn about the SafeSheds program and practical strategies for enhancing safety and productivity in shearing sheds.
Listen to this inspiring episode to gain valuable insights from industry experts on enhancing safety and productivity in shearing sheds.
Popular irrigation incentive program set to benefit even more Gippsland farmers
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria are pleased to open a new round of farm plan incentives, and for the first time, farmers in Warragul, Thorpdale, Noojee and Perry Bridge and across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment are eligible to apply.
Up to $10,000 per farm is available through the Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program to help with the cost of a professionally designed irrigation plan.
What's On
Understanding your farm dams
When: Friday 22 August, 12 to 1 pm
Join this upcoming webinar to assess the suitability of existing dams to prepare for, cope with, and recover from drought.
If you are a farmer, farm advisor, whole farm planner, Landcare facilitator, or part of a farming systems group, this webinar is for you!
LPA, NLIS, eNVD and eID update for Victoria: ISC State Partner webinar
When: Monday 25 August, 7 pm.
Join us and ISC to learn more about:
- Livestock Production Assurance (LPA)
- sheep and goat electronic identification - update and reminders
- latest eNVD web-based system improvements
- NLIS Database Uplift Project - receive an update on this significant project to uplift the NLIS database.
Virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly
When: Tuesday 26 August, Tuesday 9 September, Tuesday 23 September, 9 to 10 am
Where: online
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.
While you don't get to taste her scones, you do get to learn all that she knows about feeding livestock in tough conditions, and to enjoy an hour of mateship away from the feed cart.
Intro to lean and drought support business planning
When: Wednesday 27 August, 12:30 to 2:30 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.
Join Moshie for an engaging and practical business management session where we’ll guide you through simple yet effective ways to reduce waste, manage resources more efficiently and make informed decisions that improve business efficiency and profitability, even through climate and economic uncertainty.
You’ll be introduced to Moshie’s tailored suite of tools and templates for green-industry businesses, including:
- business planning templates and self-assessment tools
- resources to help identify waste and opportunities for improvement
- labour costing and overhead calculators
- strategies for building drought resilience and long-term business sustainability.
These tools are designed to help you gain clarity, take control of your operations and build confidence in your decision-making, whether you’re navigating day-to-day challenges or planning ahead.
As an added benefit, you’ll receive 12 months of access to Moshie’s exclusive online resource portal containing downloadable templates and support materials.
You'll also learn how to access further assistance, including:
- free one-on-one specialist business support through Moshie
- current on-farm infrastructure grants
- mental health and wellbeing support.
Managing Dry Season Conditions to Maximise Spring Pasture Growth - Buffalo, Woodleigh, Phillip Island and Neerim South
When: Monday 25 August, 9:45 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Woodleigh Hall, 86 Woodleigh - St Helier Road, Woodleigh
When: Tuesday 26 August, 9:45 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Surf Beach, location provided on registration
When: Thursday 28 August, 9:45 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Neerim South Football Clubrooms,15 Neerim E Road, Neerim South.
With low rainfall, and minimal hay and silage stocks, we need to ensure we have the knowledge and confidence to manage a potentially dry spring and summer.
Presenters include:
- Dale Grey (the Fast Break) - weather outlook and what we can expect in the next few months
- Fiona Baker - setting ourselves up for spring, and summer, water requirements, and maximising our potential growth leading into our peak growing season
- James Paulet – will talk about the 6 new soil moisture probes and weather stations located in West and South Gippsland and using this data to make informed decisions
- farmers Chris Nixon (beef and dairy - Orbost) and Trevor Caithness (beef and cropping – Goon Nure) will talk about strategies they implemented to get through the 3-year drought in East Gippsland and what worked and what didn’t, and what they would do better next time.
After lunch we will visit Ross Batten, and Madeline and Bernard Buckley’s farm and discuss strategies they are implementing in preparation for a potentially dry spring and summer.
Technical irrigation workshop – vegetables
When: Tuesday 26 August, 11 am to 2 pm.
Where: Peter Schreurs & Sons, Devon Meadows.
This half-day, on-farm practical irrigation workshop will be held at Peter Schreurs & Sons in Devon Meadows. It will be presented by irrigation agronomist and designer Jeremy Giddings.
You will learn about:
- efficient vegetable irrigation systems and design
- water usage
- budgeting
- and much more.
A light lunch will be provided to all registered attendees.
Irrigating berries technical workshop
When: Wednesday 27 August, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Lilydale Lakeside Conference Centre, 1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale.
Agriculture Victoria irrigation agronomist and designer Jeremy Giddings will present a session focused on berry irrigation systems and design, including:
- how to test for drip application uniformity
- designing and maintaining optimum system drainage, avoiding ‘wet patches’
- chlorination, flushing and system maintenance checks
- pressure and discharge maintenance.
The event also includes an on-farm practical irrigation demonstration at a berry farm in the Yarra Valley.
Decisions that drive drought recovery – Meeniyan
When: Wednesday, 27 August, 9 am - 3:30 pm
Where: Meeniyan Community Hub, 95 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan
A powerful and practical 1-day workshop on how to build resilience, navigate crisis and adapt to change.
Feel confident and equipped to make the decisions necessary to navigate your farm business through the current seasonal crisis/challenges by:
- learning how to navigate competing priorities for limited resources (family, farm and business)
- identifying key resource issues, stressors, risks and opportunities for your farm business
- learning improved decision-making skills and how to manage key priorities – especially when under pressure and stress
- learning skills to rebuild capacity after battling personal/health and business challenges
- connecting to networks that support recovery and resilience.
Morning tea and a light lunch provided.
VFF Stock Sense: Goat Diseases and Nutrition webinar series
Session 1 - Wednesday 27 August, 6 - 7:30 pm: Goat nutrition essentials for small landholders after a dry winter with Jess Revell from Rumenate Livestock Services.
Session 2 - Wednesday 3 September, 6 - 7:30 pm: Managing Victoria's most common goat diseases - identification, prevention and treatment with Berwyn Squire from Agriculture Victoria.
CFOP workshop and farm walk – Bass Coast
When: Friday 29 August, 10 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Archies Creek (address provided after registration)
Join us for this informative Bass Coast Carbon Farming Outreach Program (CFOP) workshop and farm walk.
This event will be hosted at the Archies Creek property of Ric Oldham, who has developed a CFOP action plan, and will be supported by expert CFOP presenter Nick Dudley.
Nick has over 15 years of experience in carbon farming and will be speaking on the following topics:
- fundamentals of carbon farming
- tracking and calculating your farm emissions
- estimating your farm’s carbon footprint
- using carbon accounting tools including a greenhouse accounting framework and LOOC–C
- introduction to developing an on-farm emissions action plan
- showcasing Ric Oldham’s case study action plan.
Host farmer Ric Oldham will also provide insights into the development of his action plan and showcase some of the works he has implemented on his property during the farm walk.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided. BYO chair and mug. Please RSVP by Monday 25 August.
All about feralSCAN
When: Thursday 4 September, 5 to 6:30 pm
Where: online.
Join Peter West from the NSW Department of Primary Industry to hear about how and why recording pest animal sightings on feralSCAN is one easy way we can contribute to pest animal management.
Peter has 20 years’ experience in pest animal research and management and is responsible for the national feralSCAN program.
Download the feralSCAN app to your phone now.
Contact Kirby on kirby@sgln.net.au or 0480 749 731 if you need any help.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnerships against Pests program
Plant and soil health seminar – Maffra and Pakenham
When: Tuesday 9 September, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: DEECA, 1 Stratford–Maffra Road, Maffra.
When: Wednesday 10 September, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Mercure Pakenham conference room, 77 Racecourse Road, Pakenham.
International soils expert Joel Williams is returning to the region. Learn about foliar nutrition and soil management in baby leaf and brassica crops, including sap testing.
Submit your questions to Joel through the registration page.
Regional Renewables Farm Forum and Tour
Gippsland New Energy Conference
When: Wednesday 10 – Thursday 11 September
Where: Traralgon and Sale.
Forum
When: Wednesday 10 September, 1 pm
- From Social Licence to Social Performance: Nathan Hart
- Transmission Planning for Community Benefit: Adele McCarthy
- Farming the Future – Regional Voices for Climate and Energy: Ben Gebert
- Panel: How can Australia’s shift to renewable energy succeed if it leaves farmers behind?: Kitty Walker, David Clark, Lindsay Marriot
- Powering Paddocks – On-Farm Energy in Gippsland: Sandra Jefford, Stephen Soutar.
Tour buses from Traralgon and Sale
When: Thursday 11 September
Visits to farms using renewable energy technologies:
- chicken broiler circular economy solution and potential anaerobic digestor site
- gravity-fed and solar-powered irrigation solutions
- fully robotic dairy
- solar panel Recycling plant
PPS Annual Conference
This conference, “Taking Stock” focuses on where our region’s farms are at after a period of low sheep and wool prices followed by very dry conditions.
The conference will also look at the effect of the PPS project on farm resilience to help get through these tough times.
When: Tuesday 9 September, 8 am - 5 pm.
Where: Ararat Town Hall, corner of Barkly and Vincent Streets, Ararat.
Best Practice Fox Control
When: Friday 12 September, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Sandy Point Community Centre
The lead up to lambing season is a great time to plan a control program.
Attendees to this event will have the opportunity to borrow camera traps from South Gippsland Landcare that can be used during a control program or to help you understand your pest animals.
At this event Aaron Stephens from Bass Coast Landcare Invasive Species team will cover:
- all available fox control methods
- how to integrate methods for the most successful control
- what qualifications are required
Fox control is currently being undertaken in Sandy Point and along the Bass and Bunurong coast. Aaron will also talk about this fox control program.
Kasun Ekanayake from Birdlife Australia will talk about how fox control along with other methods have been implemented to try and increase the success of Hooded Plover breeding along the coast. Learn how you could get involved.
Please email kirby@sgln.net.au if you have questions.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnerships against Pests program.
Youth Agritech Jobs Expo
When: Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September
Where: Gippsland Agriculture Centre.
Head along to the Youth Agritech Jobs Expo - showcasing the broad range of careers in agriculture.
For more information, call 0423 205 007.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Food & Fibre Gippsland's events on their website.
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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