Thursday 23 October 2025

Listen to the Berries Australia drought support webinar 

Did you miss the Berries Australia Victorian drought support webinar for berry growers? 

You can now watch the full recording online. 

This practical session connects Victorian berry growers with the services, grants, and tools available to manage drought challenges. Hear from experts at Agriculture Victoria, NexSolutions, Berries Australia Berry Industry Partner Netafim Australia & New Zealand, and Agribusiness Yarra Valley.

Topics include: 

• drought support grants and financial assistance 
• farm water management and budgeting tools 
• advisory and counselling services for growers 
• environmental stewardship planning.

Watch the full recording via their Resource Library (search Victoria Drought) or watch directly https://youtu.be/apySk97tAmo 

On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program 

Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program. 
 
The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority. 
 
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos. 

For the full range of supports available to drought-affected farmers and communities, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.

Consider distance when transporting livestock for processing

In Australia, livestock often travel many kilometres, in some cases even thousands of kilometres interstate for processing.

This long distance travel often occurs where producers have long standing contracts that need to be fulfilled or species specific or specialised requirements that can only be met at a particular abattoir.

Agriculture Victoria District Veterinary Officer Cathy Bunter said where transport journeys are projected to be long it is important to have animals well prepared for the journey in terms of their nutrition, hydration and heat management.

‘It is also essential for producers to introduce their livestock to water troughs prior so their animals can recognise and be able to drink from troughs both during and at the end of the journey,’ Dr Bunter said.

‘Shorter transport journeys for livestock have many benefits apart from the obvious lower transport costs.’

Dr Bunter said shorter transport distances reduce the risks of injury, disease and death. There is a substantial increase in livestock welfare incidents in stock travelling greater than 400km or undergoing journeys longer than 30 hours.

‘Producers and transporters are reminded the Land Transport Standards are nationally agreed mandatory animal welfare standards and guidelines developed cooperatively by the livestock industries and government.’

Anyone who is preparing livestock for transport or transporting livestock must follow these standards which can be found at Land Transport – Australian Animal Welfare

Dr Bunter said other motivations for shorter transport distances include better meat quality, because less stress means the meat is tenderer and consumer satisfaction is increased. The producer also benefits from heavier carcass results.

‘Regardless of the distance travelled, having animals better prepared to take the journey results in better animal welfare outcomes. This is especially important where livestock are still recovering from the prolonged impacts of drought.’

2024 deer harvest report now available  

The Game Management Authority (GMA) has recently released the estimates of the 2024 deer harvest in Victoria report.  

Results show an estimated 167,600 deer were harvested in 2024. This is a 22% increase on the estimated 137,100 deer harvested in 2023 and an 83% increase on the long-term average (91,100). 

Sambar deer were the most harvested species with an estimated harvest of 128,000 deer, of which 60% were female. Fallow deer were the second most harvested species, with an estimated harvest of 35,400 deer, of which 58% were female. 

The number of licenced recreational deer hunters in 2024 was 52,098. The number of deer hunters in Victoria has remained relatively steady since 2023, when there were 52,321 licensed deer hunters. 

Of the 52,098 licensed deer hunters, 50% actively hunted in 2024. On average, active deer hunters harvested an estimated 6.4 deer over 13.5 days. 

The most popular hunting areas were around the towns of Mansfield, Bairnsdale, Omeo, Benalla and Eildon. The highest number of deer harvested were around the towns of Mansfield, Bairnsdale, Benalla, Yarram and Omeo. 

GMA Research Principal, Dr Jason Flesch said the research was based on information gathered from randomly selected licenced deer hunters who voluntarily participated in the phone surveys.  

'Throughout 2024, approximately 2,400 licenced deer hunters were surveyed about their hunting activity including how many deer were harvested, where hunting occurred, hunting methods used, and the species of deer harvested.'

'This research helps build a stronger understanding of deer harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria,' Dr Flesch said. 

The report is produced annually by the GMA in collaboration with the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. 

For a full copy of the Estimates of the 2024 deer harvest report, visit gma.vic.gov.au

Helping farmers realise the value of their plantations

The Victorian Government is helping landowners grow more trees on farms and extract greater value from their existing plantations through a new program starting in the north east.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the start of the Trees on Farms Utilisation (ToFU) Program, a $4.5 million initiative that will help farm forestry plantation owners make the most of their existing plantations.

Through the program, eligible landowners can access a free professional assessment of their plantations, providing tailored insights into timber quality, market opportunities, and next steps – all with no cost or obligation.

If an assessment identifies a commercial opportunity, landowners may be eligible for funding for management activities in later stages of the program, such as thinning, to improve their plantation for enhanced timber quality and market access.

The launch includes local government areas of Moira Shire Council, Indigo Shire Council, City of Wodonga, Towong Shire Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, Benalla Rural City Council, Rural City of Wangaratta, Strathbogie Shire Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Murrindindi Shire Council and Mansfield Shire Council.

To be eligible under the program, plantings must be between 3 and 30 hectares, planted before 2020 specifically for wood production, and not already allocated or committed for sale.

Launching initially in the state’s north east, the program will be extended to the rest of the state early next year.

This initiative supplements the suite of programs available through the Trees on Farms program which helps farmers plant more trees.

Applications for the program in the north east will close on 19 December 2025. For more information on the programs or to apply visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/trees-on-farms.

Is hay the best option for your crop this season?

Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.

To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.

Drought support information

Farmers across Victoria are using Farm Drought Support Grants to set themselves up for the current and future droughts.   

Check out the list of some eligible activities below:   

• stock containment areas     
• reticulated water systems, pipes and troughs   
• irrigation system upgrades– including repairs and maintenance    
• grain and fodder storage    
• internal fencing     
• feed system upgrades    
• pasture/crop restoration    
• water carting for livestock and essential business activities.       

Farmers can claim expenses on eligible activities since 30 September 2024.   

For program guidelines, a full list of eligible activities, and to apply visit https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/grants/     

Find more information on drought support at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186. 

Find more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Got chooks? Stay in the loop with Poultry Post

Whether you keep one chicken or a whole flock, Poultry Post is your go-to newsletter for biosecurity tips, H5 bird flu updates, and expert advice to keep your birds safe. 

Together, we can protect Australia’s poultry and wild bird populations. 

Find out more here

Use your dairy effluent now on silage regrowth – Now that paddocks are being cut for silage, dairy effluent can be applied to areas with some green leaf still present. This can be done after cutting to promote valuable pasture regrowth for an extra grazing and to replace lost nutrients.

Mansfield – Feeding livestock in dry times

Webinar – Farm fire preparedness 

Date and time: Monday 27 October from 7 - 8:15 pm

Online and free

Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital.

Whether you’re a livestock producer, run a horticulture enterprise, a small landholder, or are new to farming it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season. Join us for this upcoming webinar about Farm Fire Preparedness.

Planning and preparing for the bushfire season includes identifying risks and undertaking tasks to prepare your farm well ahead of the fire season.

In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie and will discuss key preparedness activities, tools and templates to help you plan for the fire season. Landholders impacted by recent fires will share their stories of preparing for fire, putting a fire plan into practice and share information on the recovery process.

Presenters include -

• Kylie Macreadie, Agriculture Victoria  
• Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood, horticulture business owners, Beaufort, Victoria  
• Doug James, livestock producer, Bungeet, Victoria.

Topics include -

• preparing farm infrastructure
• farm asset inventories and insurance
• fire preparedness checklists, action plan and map
• planning for impacts and recovery
• updating your Property Identification Code (PIC)

RIC Webinar – Get ‘RIC Ready’ to apply for a low-cost farm business loan

When: Wednesday 29 October, 12-1 pm

Get ‘RIC Ready’ Webinar - an essential guide to help farm businesses, trusted advisers and interested stakeholders learn more about RIC loans.

Join our free webinar to understand more about eligibility criteria before applying and what you need to know before you submit an application for an Australian Government low-cost loan delivered by RIC (Regional Investment Corporation).

Register on Teams

Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success

Want to build a stronger, more productive and effective farm business management strategy?

This 2-day workshop led by Gavin Beever will examine aspects that help make an effective farm business strategy. 

Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October, from 8.30 for 9 am sharp start – 3 pm, lunch and snacks provided.

Topics:

• succession planning
• financials
• farm resources
• human relationships
• setting business goals
• climate risk and natural resource management
• latest in AgTech
• tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go.

 Presenters:

• Gavin Beever, Principal Consultant, Cumbre Consultants
• Dale Grey, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist
• Brendan Williams, Managing Director Autonomous Ag.

Location: Powlett Plains and District Community Centre 1243 Wedderburn, Serpentine Road, Powlett Plains

For more information, contact either Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024, roger.harrower@agriculture.vic.gov.au or Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711, darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Baranduda – Blackberry biology and identification workshop

1 November, 10 am to 1 pm at Baranduda Community Centre, 3 Sage Court, Baranduda

Blackberries are a persistent challenge for landholders and the community, spreading quickly and impacting both natural ecosystems and productive land. Managing them effectively starts with knowing what species you’re dealing with and understanding their biology.

Hosted by Wodonga Urban Landcare Network (WULN) and Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups (KCLG), this free, practical workshop is designed to help landholders identify and understand blackberry species on their properties.

What you’ll get from the day:

• engage with experts from the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce
• biology and life cycle of blackberry species
• information on correctly identifying different blackberry species.

An opportunity to bring in blackberry specimens to be sent to Melbourne University for identification.

Note: if you are bringing in a specimen for ID, please collect the specimen as close to the event as possible and make sure it is new plant growth.

Morning lunch and tea provided.

Webinar – Boosting livestock performance with eID

Date and time: Friday 7 November from 3 - 5 pm

Join us for a webinar with a focus on the practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.

Why should farmers attend?

Sheep eID allows for tracking individual animal performance with precision. By leveraging this data, farmers can unlock new opportunities to increase productivity across the flock and reduce emissions by identifying and managing high-impact animals.

Suitable for farmers just starting with eID or more experienced farmers looking to refine your data strategy.

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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