Thursday 28 August 2025

Jail time for animal cruelty charges

Mallee farmer Steven Ralston pleaded guilty to 14 charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which included 9 charges of aggravated cruelty comprising of 128 animals, in the Bendigo Magistrates Court recently.

Mr Ralston was sentenced to a 6-month immediate term of imprisonment for the cruelty offences and further fined $10,000 for failing to comply with 3 notices issued by Agriculture Victoria officers.

Chemical residue exposure risk to stock

With the dry conditions and paddocks looking a bit bare, it’s only natural to start eyeing those unused corners of your property.

Perhaps it’s the area around the old shed, the house paddock that hasn’t seen stock in years or even that overgrown tree plantation.

Some might even be thinking about letting cattle into places like an old dip site or the farm rubbish tip.

AgVic and VicPol working together for Victoria’s livestock producers

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s method for identifying and tracking of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.

It uses an electronic ear tag or device, marking each animal with its own, individual identification number.

Water quality testing during drought essential for food safety

Horticulture growers should take appropriate action to ensure that produce impacted by weather events or drought conditions is safe for consumption.

Weather events can include dust storms, floods, strong winds or rainfall.

These events can physically damage produce and/or contaminate it with dirt, chemicals or animal faeces carried by wind or water. It is recommended that growers keep records of key weather events that impact their farm, including rainfall records and periods of strong wind.

Ag Vic Talk season 10 

Farm Safety First: Tackling Fatigue, with Simon Craig 

In this Farming Safe and Well episode, Simon Craig discusses the critical issue of fatigue in farming.   

He shares his journey managing a broad-acre grain and sheep farm in Kulinong, Northwestern Victoria, and the steps he has taken to reduce fatigue related risks on his property.    

Simon highlights the importance of recognising fatigue signs, implementing training sessions for seasonal workers, and creating a culture of safety and well-being. By hiring additional staff and managing shifts effectively, Simon has seen increased productivity and a better work-life balance.  

Listen now to learn how you can create a safer and more efficient farm.   

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

Our website provides information on available support, 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.

Check it out today at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought

Taggerty – Introduction to soil test interpretation

29 August, from 7 to 9:30 pm at Taggerty Hall, 5 Taggerty–Thornton Road, Taggerty

This session is for farmers and landholders looking to understand soil chemical properties for production and carbon farming.

Topics include:

• soil acidity and how to manage it
• key plant nutrients to monitor
• growing and maintaining productive pastures
• managing bent grass
• soil carbon and carbon farming 101

Presenters include:

• Richard Evans, agronomist
• Stuart Foy, Nutrien Ag Solutions
• Rhiannon Sandford, GBCMA

Bring along your soil test results if you have them.

Join the virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly

9 September from 9 – 10 am

23 September from 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.

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.

Corryong – Farm budgeting masterclass

9 September from 9 am to 3 pm at Upper Murray Events Centre, Strezlecki Way, Corryong 

In this workshop Carmen Quade of AgriFocused will look at strategies for farm budgeting.

Taking a profit-focused perspective, you will learn how to use a budget as a tool to manage difficult times as well as speed recovery and growth.

What we will cover:

• how to estimate income and expenses realistically
• saving money on overhead expenses
• tracking and reviewing budgets
• the programs you can use to write and monitor your budget
• negotiating better deals or finance with your bank
• drought support availability

Euroa – Farm office efficiency and record keeping 

10 September from 9 am to 3 pm at the Euroa Football Club Function Room, Slee Road, Euroa

In this workshop we look at strategies, tools and tips to speed up office work:

• managing the email overload
• systems for keeping receipts and invoices
• dealing with paper records
• IT security
• cloud-based storage
• strategies for keeping up to date
• what you need to keep and how to find it again
• apps and programs that can help.

Numurkah – Farming Stronger

11 September from 10 am to 2 pm at the Shamrock Hotel, 5–13 Melville Street, Numurkah 

Farming is more than just hard work – it’s about working smart to ensure you can keep yourself performing even in challenging times, make good decisions, keep your mindset positive, maintain good relationships and have the energy you need to run a profitable farm business.

This free Farming Stronger workshop will give you simple, evidence-based tips and tools to help you stay sharp, energised and ready for what’s next, without burning out.

You’ll learn how to:

• make better decisions when the pressure’s on
• manage your mindset to stay positive, focused and confident in good times and bad
• manage stress so it doesn’t manage you
• keep your energy up for the long haul
• lead and motivate the people around you
• create a farm culture that helps everyone work well together and that supports healthy performance and wellbeing.

Your facilitator, Cynthia Mahoney, is an agricultural scientist with a Masters in Farm Business Management Economics and a leadership coach. She has worked extensively with farmers and ag teams across Australia. She’ll share practical, proven strategies from brain science that you can use straight away to lift productivity, protect relationships and get more done – without adding more hours to the day.

This is not a ‘sit and be talked at’ workshop. It’s a relaxed, fun and hands-on session for men and women farmers and agricultural service providers from all ag industries who want to perform at their best and better support the people they work with. There’ll be plenty of time to connect with others, share ideas and have valuable conversations while learning together.

You’ll get a workbook to take home, lunch on the day, and a few new ideas to make life on the farm a bit easier.

Mooroopna – Understanding water markets and preparing for drought

11 September from 1 to 3:30 pm at Bill & Beats, 106A McLennan Street, Mooroopna 

A half-day workshop, ‘Understanding water markets and preparing for drought’, will be held in Shepparton on Thursday 11 September, commencing at 1:00 pm following lunch at a local restaurant.

The workshop is designed to support Victorian fruit growers in managing water risk by improving their understanding of how the southern Murray–Darling Basin water market operates, how to interpret water prices and how to plan for reduced water availability during drought conditions.

Benalla – Farm budgeting masterclass 

11 September from 9 am to 3 pm at DEECA office, 89 Sydney Road, Benalla 

In this workshop Carmen Quade of AgriFocused will look at strategies for farm budgeting.

Farm budgeting is all about knowing where you are up to and what you can do to best manage the seasons you are presented with. In this workshop we will cover.

• how to estimate income and expenses realistically
• saving money on overhead expenses
• tracking and reviewing budgets
• the programs you can use to write and monitor your budget
• negotiating better deals or finance with your bank
• drought support availability

Corryong, Benalla and Mansfield – From vision to action: building your farm business strategy 

• Corryong - 16 September from 9 am to 4:30 pm at RSL Hall, 42 Donaldson Street

• Benalla - 17 September from 9 am to 4:30 pm at Lakeside Community Centre, 2A Bridge Street
• Mansfield - 18 September from 9 am to 4:30 pm at Delatite Hotel, 95 High Street.

Join Pinion Advisory consultants Esmée de Looff and Nathaniel Modra as they guide you through the process of developing a strategic plan tailored to your business.

You’ll leave with a renewed sense of clarity, practical tools and a roadmap to move forward with confidence. Whether you’re planning for growth, succession, or simply want to run a more streamlined operation, this workshop is designed to help you take action.

Bring your business partner(s) along to make the most of the opportunity of going through the process, and collaborate, reflect and plan together.

Topics of the workshop:

• Business strategy and culture
• Identifying strategic priorities
• Action planning for key initiatives
• Systems for business efficiency
• Risk management
• Team roles and responsibilities.

Leneva – Herbaceous weed control workshop

20 September from 10 am to 1 pm at Leneva Hall, 3081 Beechworth-Wodonga Road.

Herbaceous weeds are more than just a nuisance; they pose serious threats to our landscapes. These invasive plants can take over pastures, outcompete native species, shelter pest animals, and reduce the productivity of both farmland and natural areas.

Join us to learn how to identify priority species and apply proven control techniques as part of a broader, collaborative approach to weed management across the region.

What you’ll learn:

• how herbaceous weeds impact biodiversity, agriculture, and waterways

• how to identify common and priority weeds in our region, including:

1. Paterson’s curse
2. St Barnaby’s thistle
3. Wild watsonia
4. Chilean needle grass
5. African lovegrass
6. St John's wort.

• best practice control methods: manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological
• importance of safe and effective herbicide use
• ideas for the most effective control strategies on your property
• local case studies and success stories
• hands-on guidance in identifying herbaceous weeds in the field.

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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