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Thursday 25 June 2026
H5 bird flu detection in Western Australia and South Australia
This disease is not present in Victoria, but it’s a timely reminder to stay aware.
If you see sick or dead birds:
AVOID contact
RECORD what you see
REPORT it to 1800 675 888 or via agriculture.vic.gov.au/reportdeadbirds
Report 5 or more dead birds anywhere in Victoria, or even one high risk species like marine mammals, seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey.
Backing farmers with data to grow productivity
More farmers will have access to tools that will help grow more feed, improve productivity and manage costs.
Minister Settle recently attended the Best Wool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Conferences in Ballarat to announce a new $6 million partnership between Agriculture Victoria and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Sheep and beef farmers can participate in the program through local workshops, producer networks and on farm trials, helping them use farm data to make informed decisions.
Farmers will have better access to trusted advisors who understand local conditions, can offer clear, practical guidance and help reach farmers who may not currently participate in industry programs.
Seen something? Say something to protect our grains
Pictured: 2 Khapra beetle with larva. Image: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Jim Moran – Leading Biosecurity Officer Plants Grains Biosecurity
Everyone connected to agriculture plays a critical role in protecting Australia’s cropping systems.
Grain growers, agronomists, transport operators and rural communities are our first line of defence against exotic pests, weeds and diseases and should remain vigilant and report anything unusual.
We urge you to have a good look for anything unusual during your regular ‘drive by’ and in-paddock crop assessments. Check around equipment and structures and even while opening packages delivered by mail especially spare parts from overseas.
If you see something unusual in a crop, in or around storage facilities, on machinery, or even in imported packaging - report it immediately so that it can be identified. Don’t stay silent.
Early detection is critical. Reporting immediately gives our grain industry the best chance to get rid of an exotic pest before it establishes.
Now is a good time to start monitoring dams
Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer
With patchy rainfall across the state and the forecast of a drier spring, now is an ideal time to start monitoring dam water levels.
Over recent years stock water has become a scarce commodity across many parts of the state, significantly impacting carrying capacity over drier months.
Taking stock of dam water levels and pasture growth over the next few months will greatly assist farmers in calculating potential carrying capacity.
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.
Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants
Why roughage is needed over winter
With the ongoing challenges of drought – including higher prices and the need for other feed supplements – you could be thinking about how and why to feed roughage over winter.
Roughage may be needed this winter for any of the following reasons:
Even though some roughage may be left uneaten, for digestive function livestock require a minimum amount of fibre and long roughage to maintain their digestive systems. This is sometimes known as the ‘scratch factor’ and stimulates rumination (cud chewing).
If feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage, acidosis or grain poisoning can occur.
As we move further into winter, hay may be needed to reduce grass tetany risks and allow a way of administering Causmag.
Bushfire recovery events
Our team will be on hand for a chat at upcoming fire recovery events and activities.
Here’s what’s coming up:
Euroa Special Sale, Wednesday 1 July
Euroa Recovery Hub, Thursday 2 July
Yea Store Sale, Friday 3 July
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open now
Look Over the Farm Gate grants are now open for new applications!
Support from community is an important part of getting back on track for farmers and farming families in drought and bushfire recovery.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Look Over the Farm Gate is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Trees on Farms Utilisation Program
Applications are now open for the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program.
Eligible Victorian landowners can receive a free expert assessment of their timber plantations, including tailored management advice and potential market pathways.
WorkSafe Awards entries close 30 June
There's less than a week left to enter the Agriculture Safety Solution category in the WorkSafe Awards.
Entries close Tuesday 30 June.
The Agriculture Safety Solution award recognises Victorian farmers, workers and farming businesses implementing practical safety solutions that help everyone return home safely to their families and communities.
Webinar recording: Pasture research update
Missed our recent Emissions in Agriculture Community of Practice meeting? You can now catch the full recording.
Hear from Agriculture Victoria researchers Kevin Smith and Dr Anna Thomson as they share insights from two exciting pasture projects:
MultiMix Project
Testing diverse mixes of grasses, legumes and herbs to build more climate-resilient pastures—boosting sheep productivity while reducing methane emissions and fertiliser reliance.
Resilient Forages
Exploring nutrient-dense, diverse forage systems to support productive, profitable dairy farms under climate and cost pressures.
Watch the Zoom recording: https://tinyurl.com/2prrbn9w
Passcode: 170626
Fungicide decisions for high blackleg risk in canola
High levels of blackleg infection are already being reported in many regions.
If growing a canola cultivar rated Moderately Resistant (MR) or below for blackleg, consider the application of a foliar fungicide application to help control crown canker of blackleg while crops are at the 4-8 leaf growth stage.
If growing a canola cultivar rated Moderately Resistant (MR) or below for blackleg upper canopy infection (UCI) and flowering will commence in July or early August, consider a fungicide application at 30% bloom.
Consult the BlacklegCM and BlacklegCM UCI apps, or the 2026 Blackleg Management Guide, to determine blackleg risk.
Drought Support
Farm Drought Support Grants
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 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 771 741.
Find out more at Rural Financial Counselling Network.
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
What's On
Creightons Creek Recovery Group morning tea
When: Sunday 28 June, 10–11:30 am
Where: Creighton's Creek Hall, Creighton's Creek Road
Join Creightons Creek Recovery Group’s community morning tea on Sunday 28 June to reflect upon 6 Months On after the January bushfires.
This will be a relaxed and supportive space to:
- reflect on the past six months
- connect with others in the community
- hear from an experienced recovery practitioner
- look ahead to the next phase together
Hear from Anne Leadbeater, a nationally recognised leader in disaster recovery and community resilience.
In 2014 Anne was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to disaster affected communities. She currently supports Strathbogie Shire and Murrindindi Shire recovery teams.
Enquiries: recovery@strathbogie.vic.gov.au
Varroa mite and the effect on pollination services
When: Tuesday 30 June, 12:30–3 pm
Where: Tooleybuc Sporting Club, Lot 1 Lockhart Road, Tooleybuc
These sessions look at the effect Varroa mite will have on pollination services and horticulture businesses that rely on pollination.
Topics include:
- What has changed and what is expected
- What is a good beekeeper and how do I find them
- Hives – what is healthy, how many are required and when
- Tips for successful beekeeper engagement
- Pollination from a beekeeper’s perspective.
When: Tuesday 30 June, 12 midday – 1:50 pm
Where: Online
Free GRDC NGN funded workshop style webinar for grain growers and agronomists. Two sessions covering how to identify, select and implement the right on-farm connectivity solution for your farm.
GRDC Farm Business Update - Does every hectare earn its place?
When: Thursday 9 July, 1–2 pm
Where: Online
Does every hectare earn its place? Understanding the profit contribution of owned, leased and sharefarmed land. Tony Hudson, Hudson Facilitation
Whether land is owned, leased or sharefarmed, every block consumes capital, management time and involves risk. This session will challenge growers to look beyond yield and assess how each parcel contributes to whole-farm profitability and resilience.
Exploring practical ways to evaluate the profitability, production capacity and cost structure of individual land parcels, Tony will examine how the operating models influence returns. How underperforming blocks can affect whole-farm profitability, and the role in business growth that leasing and sharefarming can play.
Contact ORM Pty Ltd on 03 5441 6176 or email admin@orm.com.au
Interpreting soil moisture monitoring equipment
Pictured: Green Brain soil moisture monitoring graph image courtesy CropX
When: Wednesday 15 July, 9–11 am
Where: Agriculture Victoria Office Corner Koorlong Avenue and 11th Street, Irymple
When: Thursday 16 July, 9:30–11:30 am
Where: Conference Room, Robinvale District Health Service, Latje Road, Robinvale
Half day workshops for irrigators looking to have a greater understanding of interpreting their soil moisture monitoring data. This workshop has been held regularly for a number of years and has been highly popular with irrigators.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their login details and share their data with the group if appropriate.
Places are limited for this workshop. Please contact Jeremy Giddings, Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Irrigation Mallee at email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au for further information.
GRDC Grains Research Updates
When: Wednesday 22 July, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Quambatook Bowling Club, 29 River Street
Topics:
- Evolution of clethodim resistance, and what can we do? Peter Boutsalis, University of Adelaide and Plant Science Consulting
- Industry panel – pushing pulses for better crops in the southern Mallee, Audrey Delahunty (Agriculture Victoria), Claire Pickles (BCG) and Matt Bissett (ExceedAg)
- Protect your most perishable asset – latest tips on grain storage Chris Warrick, Primary Business
- Risk and reward of N fertiliser decision-making strategies - insights from a national network of RiskWi$e field experiments Yolanda Plowman, BCG
- Seasonal climate outlook: what is driving this season? Dale Grey, Agriculture Victoria
When: Thursday 23 July, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Dookie Campus, Bar Lounge, University of Melbourne, 940 Dookie-Nalinga Road, Dookie
Topics:
- Risk and reward of N fertiliser decision-making strategies - insights from a national network of RiskWi$e field experiments James Hunt, University of Melbourne
- Industry panel – pushing pulses for better crops in the north Audrey Delahunty (Agriculture Victoria), Aaron Vague (FAR) and Tom Price (FAR)
- Protect your most perishable asset – latest tips on grain storage Chris Warrick, Primary Business
- Get best bang for buck on canola fungicides Alec McCallum, University of Melbourne
- Profitable yield frontiers James Manson, CSIRO
The update for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers to see and discuss the latest in research and to network with their peers.
National Alpaca Show 2026
When: 7-9 August
Where: Bendigo Showgrounds
National auction, fleece show, art and photography competition.
BCG’s Main Field Day 2026
When: Wednesday 9 September, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Where: Main Research Site at Birchip
BCG's Field Day draws growers, advisors, and industry professionals together to explore advances in crop management, weed control, soil nutrition, new varieties, and farming systems.
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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