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Thursday 8 May 2025
Boost pastures using effluent
Rachael Campbell, Dairy Industry Development Officer
Benefit your pastures by emptying your dairy effluent ponds. The extra water and nutrients can kick start growth, ready for follow up rain.
Effluent ponds are designed to contain effluent over winter, so must be emptied before the start of the wet period.
Although it is getting closer to winter, if soils are still dry, now is the time to ensure your storage ponds are relatively empty.
Cattle composting trial underway
A small-scale cattle composting trial is underway until the end of 2025 at Agriculture Victoria’s Rutherglen site.
The trial is part of Agriculture Victoria’s Emergency Animal Disease Preparedness Program and is funded by the Livestock Biosecurity Fund.
Cattle carcasses are being composted in windrows, along with green waste and other organic matter.
The cattle were sourced from a Victorian farm and died of weed toxicity - they pose no disease risk.
The trial has EPA approval, with strict environmental and odour monitoring processes in place.
Report sick or dead birds or wildlife
High pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in poultry in the Euroa area within Strathbogie Shire. Control measures are in place to prevent further spread.
Visit the website for more information on Avian influenza.
Report any unexplained sick or dead poultry or birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Plant biosecurity services changes
Changes and improvements to how you move plants and plant products into Victoria are coming.
From mid-2025, some of our plant biosecurity services will be delivered through Agriculture Victoria Connect, a new online system streamlining access to registrations, licensing and permits.
What’s new?
- Submit plant consignment notifications
- Apply for or renew compliance agreements
- Request verification inspections
You can create a profile and register your business now to make sure you’re ready.
Working towards a safer future for farming families
Fourth-generation Wimmera farmer Scott Arnold knows that safety improvements can have a big impact – not only on productivity but on peace of mind.
The Very Fast Break
The Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip for May is now available.
We love to receive your feedback. If you have comments, questions or feedback, please contact Dale Grey at the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Webinar: Meeting the needs of your livestock feeding by-products
When: 28 May from 12:30 pm
Farmers, please join us for a webinar about using by-products to meet nutritional needs. By-products can provide a source of energy and protein supplementing traditional feed.
Presenter: Brett Davidson, Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Dairy Services
Topics
- Suitable by-products
- Meeting your stock's nutritional needs
- Potential considerations including storage and feed out
A Q and A session will follow the presentation.
What is healthy, productive soil?
When: Monday 12 May, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Gundowring (details sent after registration)
Dr. Cassandra Schefe will delve into the challenges you might encounter in understanding your soil's structure, fertility, and the chemical and physical barriers that may be present. Cassie will also discuss methods to increase soil carbon and improve water retention within the soil profile.
Learn how to enhance your pastures and achieve environmental benefits through better water and nutrient management, reducing the risks of surface runoff, erosion, and drainage issues.
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 4 June
Where: Mansfield Golf Club, Mansfield.
The role of trees in carbon farming
When: 16 May, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Alexandra Shire Hall, 55 Grant St, Alexandra
Murrindindi Climate Network and Agriculture Victoria are excited to have Dr Hugh Stewart attending as principal speaker and trainer of LOOC-C (CSIRO developed tool for the assessment of carbon sequestered by different types of tree plantings).
Topics and Presenters:
• On-Farm Emissions Action Plan pilot, Emma Smith, Senior Project Officer Agriculture Emissions and Climate, Agriculture Victoria
• Case study – the roles of trees on Yan Yan Gurt West farm, Dr Hugh Stewart, Hugh Stewart Consulting
• The Victorian Carbon Farming Program North Central Victoria, Liam Costello, A/Program Director Plantations Strategy, Forestry Industry Division, DEECA
• Hands-on training session to use LOOC-C to estimate carbon sequestration potential of your tree plantings
This is a free event but places are limited. RSVP essential.
Drought Resilience 2025
When: Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July
Where: Deakin University, Geelong.
Join experts from all disciplines to learn about and discuss the latest drought resilience research.
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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