Thursday 6 November 2025

Improving our animal welfare sector and safety

The Victorian Government is strengthening the animal welfare sector to better support our shelters and animal rehoming organisations and their dedicated volunteers.

The Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025 passed the Victorian Parliament as a part of our ongoing efforts to promote consistent animal welfare and management standards.

The new laws are the first step towards creating a new voluntary Pet Rehoming Organisation Authorisation Scheme.

This will help participating animal rehoming organisations access benefits such as foster animal registration exemptions and opportunities to hold adoption days in registered pet shops.

Drought support – duties and fees relief

The duties and fees relief package is helping to reduce the cost of doing business for drought affected primary producers.  

• payment of livestock duties for the sale of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs paused until 30 September 2026

• primary producers won’t have to pay the standard processing fees when ordering NLIS tags (for orders placed from 1 October 2025 to 30 June 2026)

• other livestock related fees and services for 2025–26 stay at the same rate as 2024–25. 

Find more information on our website: https://go.vic.gov.au/48FF4bG  

For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186. 

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 call 136 186.

What’s in your fire preparedness plan this season?

If you missed our webinar, make yourself a cuppa and take some time to listen. Kylie Macreadie discusses key preparedness activities and the tools and templates you can use to plan ahead.

Farmers who have been impacted by fire also share stories and insights of putting their plans into action.

Hear from:

• Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood, horticulture business owners, Beaufort Victoria
• Doug and Jan James, livestock producers, Bungeet Victoria.

Federal investment bolsters H5 bird flu preparedness

Victoria is ramping up its biosecurity defences against H5N1 bird flu, with new federal support to boost emergency preparedness and rapid response capabilities.

As part of a $100 million national biosecurity package, the Australian Government is investing $1.7 million in equipping Victoria with testing technology and specialised field response tools.

The funding will provide Victoria with crucial frontline equipment, including a PCR unit and other laboratory tools for rapid testing, as well as generators, decontamination trailers and specialised field equipment to support emergency response operations across multiple sites.

Australia remains free from the H5N1 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5 bird flu. This strain is currently circulating overseas. It mainly affects birds, but can also affect other animals, and, on rare occasions, humans.

Ongoing outbreaks of H5 bird flu globally have increased the level of risk to Australia for incursions of this virus. Annual migration of wild birds will continue to be a risk for introducing new avian influenza viruses to Australian birds.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is working with other government agencies, land managers and other relevant organisations to prepare for a H5N1 bird flu detection in Victoria.

Work continues with the poultry industry, wildlife experts and land managers to monitor for signs of the virus within wildlife and develop mitigation strategies to protect high-risk wildlife species.

Victoria’s agricultural industry is backed by a $36.7 million Victorian Budget 2025/26 investment to make sure the state is well prepared to respond to biosecurity threats and emergency diseases now and into the future, including avian influenza.

Victorian trees on farms utilisation (TOFU) program

The Victorian trees on farms utilisation (TOFU) program has launched in North-East Victoria.

The new program, released by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), will assist existing farm forestry plantation owners in the North-East realise the commercial potential of their existing plantation assets, while helping to strengthen the state’s wood supply.

Eligible landowners with plantations between 3 and 30 hectares can apply for a free assessment of their plantations conducted by professional forestry experts. This will include a report containing insights into the plantation’s commercial potential, at no cost and with no obligation.

In a later stage of the program, participating landowners may be eligible for funding for management activities such as thinning, to improve plantation growth, quality and prospects for future market access.

The program will be extended to central Victoria, western Victoria and Gippsland early next year.

The new program complements the existing trees on farms programs, which provide financial assistance to undertake tree planting projects, as well as building capacity to successfully implement tree planting projects. 

Where: Initially in the North-East region, which includes the 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, Great Alpine Shire Council and Mansfield Shire Council.

A new era for industrial hemp in Victoria

The Victorian Government is opening the door to a new sustainable hemp industry by considering ways to make it easier for Victorian farmers to grow hemp and seize the growing opportunities in this market.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently launched public consultation on proposed new legislation, inviting Victorians to share their priorities for the industry, what’s working under current laws and ideas for improvement. 

Hemp is a fast-growing crop, and fibres and seeds can be used for a wide range of products, including building materials, packaging, biofuels, textiles, seed oils and other food products. 

Industrial hemp is currently regulated under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, which exempts licensed growers from cannabis-related offence when cultivating and processing hemp for non-therapeutic use.

Largest Australian duck tracking research project takes flight

The Game Management Authority (GMA) and Deakin University are conducting new research to better understand the movements, survival and behaviour of Victoria’s most important game duck species.

The research involves attaching small solar-powered satellite tracking devices to over 400 individual game ducks from four game duck species over three years. Duck species to be fitted with the trackers are Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal.

The lightweight tracking devices capture information about the duck’s location, movement, breeding, feeding and resting patterns 24 hours a day and will send the information to GMA and Deakin University researchers via mobile phone network.

GMA Research Principal Dr Jason Flesch said this is the largest study of the movement and survivorship of game ducks undertaken in Australia.

'This project aims to identify the drivers of game duck movement in relation to fluctuating environmental conditions, including water availability, in the Australian landscape. It will also record how long game ducks survive,' Dr Flesch said.

'This vital knowledge will be used with other research to inform Adaptive Harvest Management of game ducks in Victoria, which is being implemented to ensure duck hunting in Victoria remains sustainable.'

The benefits of this research extend beyond hunting. This research will provide a greater understanding of the movement of ducks across Australia and the relationship between habitat and behaviours, which will help improve the management of waterbirds and their habitats.

Deakin University Professor Marcel Klaassen said the knowledge gained from this research will also be used to grow our understanding on the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, such as avian influenza and Japanese encephalitis.'

'By modelling game duck movements, we will, for instance, be able to predict how the highly pathogenic form of avian influenza currently impacting wildlife and poultry populations globally may spread, should it arrive in Australia,' said Professor Klaassen.

'The research began in June 2025 and will continue to 2028. Approximately 60 ducks have been fitted with trackers to date.'

Members of the public can follow the progress of the research, see where the ducks are travelling, view interviews with researchers and get more information about the project.

For information on AHM for game ducks in Victoria, visit Adaptive Harvest Management for game duck hunting in Victoria.

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.

Advice on farm water and management decisions - With the long dry period, many farm dams are yet to fill. Support is available to assist with stock water planning and other farm management decisions.

Take stock of your water reserves - With summer on the way, now is an ideal time to take stock of your water reserves.

Consider distance when transporting livestock for processing - In Australia, livestock often travel many kilometres, in some cases even thousands of kilometres interstate for processing.

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.

Intro to lean and drought support business planning webinar

Tuesday, 11 November from 12:30 - 2:30 pm.

Learn how to strengthen your operations, improve profitability, and drive long-term sustainability with expert insights from Moshie.

What you’ll gain:

• introduction to lean business management and how it applies to your farm business
• Moshie’s tools for identifying waste and improving efficiency to increase profitability and resilience
• simple business planning templates to identify areas for improvement
• straightforward costing tools to improve decision-making and resource management
• strategies for risk management, building drought resilience and long-term business sustainability
• 12 months of access to an exclusive online portal, with workshop resources.

Discover other relevant support programs, including:

• drought one-on-one advisory service – discover how to sign up for free, personalised business planning support with Moshie's expert team
• on-Farm Infrastructure Grants
• Look Over the Farm Gate (mental health and wellbeing grants).

Who should attend?

• turf, agriculture and horticulture business owners
• farmers, growers and primary producers
• retail and supply chain operators
• anyone managing business costs and resources.

Webinar: Introducing the Rural Financial Counselling Service 

When: Wednesday 12 November, 12 - 1 pm. 

Join this informative session to learn how the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) can help you, your business, or your community build resilence through financial and wellbeing support.

Discover how free, confidential services can help you:

• manage financial stress
• develop recovery plans
• access personal wellbeing support
• strengthen business and community resilience.

Register via email to: lena@theagricollective.com.au

Morning tea water webinar series: All you need to know about water

Participants are encouraged to attend all five 5 sessions, though you only need to register once. Each webinar runs from 10 to 11 am:

• Tuesday 18 November
• Tuesday 25 November
• Tuesday 2 December
• Tuesday 9 December
• Tuesday 16 December.

Grab a cuppa and join this series of 5 informal presentations every Tuesday from 18 November to 16 December. The sessions will be relaxed with plenty of opportunities for you to share your knowledge and experience.

The sessions will be led by Clem Sturmfels, Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer. Clem has over 45 years experience in the design, construction and repair of farm dams and the design of farm pipelines.

While the formal sessions will focus on a few key topics, participants will also have access to range of other recordings, videos and associated resources.

Topics will include:

• Water self-assessment
• Water planning
• Farm dams
• Pipeline layout and design
• Installation and construction.

Kyabram on-farm workshop

Trees on farm – Boosting productivity and cutting net emissions

Join our climate webinar to hear about how integrating trees into livestock systems can deliver real productivity gains and help reduce farm emissions.

When: Monday, 24 November – 12 pm

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

Privacy | Disclaimer

This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.