Thursday 29 May 2025

Are your livestock fit to load?

As drought and difficult conditions continue across Victoria and livestock producers consider further destocking, Agriculture Victoria is issuing a timely reminder.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Dr Hannah Manning said it’s important to consider the condition of animals under your care before transporting them.

Dr Manning said there have been recent reports of stock arriving at livestock exchanges in poor condition.

‘It’s important to make early decisions to minimise welfare impacts on livestock.

‘Body condition of livestock must be factored in when making a decision to sell to ensure they are strong enough to make the journey ahead.

Why do dam repairs often fail?

Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer

As dry conditions continue across Victoria, many farmers may be considering repairing leaking or failed dams to increase on-farm water storage capacity once it rains.

Dam repairs are often high-risk and expensive, and should only be undertaken when the cause of failure and repair options are well understood.

Repairs should only be attempted on larger, well-constructed dams.

Understanding the dam’s history – who built it, what equipment was used, and how it has performed – is essential before any work begins.

Absentee farmer reoffends and cops another $25,000 fine

At a contested court hearing in Sale recently, Melbourne resident Pierre DeBondy was found guilty of animal cruelty at his rural property in Woodside North.

Mr DeBondy was fined $25,000 with costs awarded to DEECA of $10,350 and has been disqualified from keeping livestock for a period of 5 years.

The magistrate noted that a calfing heifer and a calf with wire wrapped around its leg had suffered due to Mr DeBondy’s lack of care. The magistrate said the calf with the wire injury had been in pain and suffering for some weeks.

Get the timing right – when to drench for liver fluke

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

In any year, it’s worth anticipating animal health issues before they emerge.

In this year’s unseasonably dry conditions, the only moist areas with a green pick remaining on many properties are in springs, swamps, drains and billabongs.

These areas would currently be heavily grazed. Unfortunately, the same areas may contain a high concentration of the liver fluke snail.

At times like these a rapid buildup of liver fluke infestation can occur.

Liver fluke is an internal parasite that lives in the bile ducts of cattle, sheep and goats and has a complex life cycle that requires a snail called Lymnea tomentosa to be involved.

The snail can be identified by its characteristic cone shaped shell and the spirals of the shell which rotate in a clockwise direction.

Liver fluke can be treated using chemicals known as flukicides.

A question worth considering is when to strategically use those chemicals.

Flukicides should be used when needed to offset the clinical effects of a burden of liver fluke, as well as strategically to minimise pasture contamination and to most effectively kill the stage of fluke present in the stock. It should be noted that withholding periods apply.

The snail cannot survive frosty conditions so consideration should be given for giving flukicides following the first frosts.

It should be remembered that liver fluke control strategies vary by region and even property to property.

Producers should talk to their veterinarian for specific recommendations. This will enable them to put in place an effective and economical fluke control plan for their property.

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer.

New adventure for East Gippsland tourism business

The Victorian Government is helping an East Gippsland business expand into a tour operator through the Forestry Transition Fund – unlocking new opportunities for business growth, jobs and drawing more visitors to the area.

The $50,000 grant will support Bruthen Outdoor Gear to build new headquarters to pack, store and clean outdoor recreation gear as well as provide food and a space for employees.

Expanded drought support package: Assistance for farmers and communities 

The Victorian Government is providing further practical support to farmers across Victoria impacted by drought and difficult seasonal conditions.  

The lack of rainfall during this autumn is accelerating the hardship being faced by farm businesses, with many farms facing significant decisions around destocking, securing fodder and managing low on-farm water supplies.

This new $15.95 million package extends the $13.53 million drought support package announced by the Premier and Agriculture Minister on 30 September 2024. 

Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support will be made available statewide, supporting farmers to manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.  

The technical, wellbeing and financial decision-making support program will ensure farm businesses have access to tailored advice through one-on-one consultations, webinars, workshops, field days, and boosted online tools and information. 

You can express your interest here for further information about the program as soon it is available. 

A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program will be available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress. 

In response to deteriorating seasonal conditions across the state more LGAs will be eligible for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program. 

This program has already supported more than 1,500 farmers in south west Victoria, will continue for the existing 11 LGAs across south west Victoria and be expanded to all West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Casey, South Gippsland, and French Island. 

There will be continued support for the Regional Drought Coordinator role and additional funding will also support small businesses in south west Victoria through the appointment of a Small Business Financial Counsellor.  

The Government is also extending its partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health by investing $900,000 to continue their important work in supporting regional communities. 

These escalated supports build on programs that are always available to Victorian farm businesses across the state. These include the Rural Financial Counselling Service, the Commonwealth Government’s Farm Household Allowance and low interest loans available through the Regional Investment Corporation.  

Agriculture Victoria will continue to monitor conditions and ensure support is given to farmers who need it most. 

Find out more at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186. 

Request for quotation (RFQ) from service providers – drought technical decision-making service delivery

Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support, incorporating a range of technical specialists, is being expanded statewide to support farmers to plan and manage the impacts of difficult seasonal conditions.

Agriculture Victoria is seeking quotes to support delivery of either or both of the following 2 services across Victoria:

• one-on-one consultations
• group-based events.

RFQ for one-on-one consultations

Quotes are sought from suitably experienced and qualified service providers including contract service providers, agricultural service agencies, agricultural consultants and/or farm advisors to join a panel of consultants to deliver the one-on-one advisory service.

RFQs for group-based events

Quotes are sought from agricultural organisations including service providers, agricultural consultants, farm advisors, agriculture-specific training organisations, farmer groups or organisations to deliver publicly advertised, group-based events.

Providers may submit quotations for delivery of one or both of the above services, provided the relevant documentation is submitted for each.

Timelines and how to register

• The RFQ will be open until 11.59 pm Monday 2 June
• Delivery of these programs is expected to occur between June and October 2025, depending on demand and farmer needs
• Visit the Agriculture Victoria website to download the RFQ documents
• A recording of the Q&A webinar held on Monday 26 May is now available. To request access, email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au

What's On

Healthy client relationships – a session for service providers

Join our webinar focused on building both personal and professional resilience. The session will explore frameworks that clarify your role, support effective decision-making and promote healthy boundaries.

In this difficult time, agricultural service providers are operating under a higher mental load. Join Kate Burke to discuss strategies for managing your personal wellbeing while continuing to provide high quality professional services for your clients. This session will equip you with the tools and confidence to stay the course and maintain strong, sustainable connections with your farming clients.

When: Friday 30 May, 12 to 1:30 pm 

20 years of techniques - direct seeding field day

When: Friday 30 May, 9 am to 12 pm 
Where: Gippsland Agricultural Center, Bairnsdale.

Join the East Gippsland Landcare Network, landholders and practitioners with over a decade of experience for an interactive and practical morning exploring how direct seeding is being used across East Gippsland to:

• enhance biodiversity and farm resilience
• restore and connect landscapes
• improve natural capital on working farms
• reduce agricultural emissions.

A guided ute tour visiting:

• Jim Reside’s property – long-term direct seeding results
• Andrew Sheridan’s revegetation trials
• the Bengworden Reserve – a look at plantings dating back to 2004.

In-field discussions on species mix, success rates, machinery, and monitoring.

A regional conversation about designing a landscape-scale revegetation project for East Gippsland.

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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