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Thursday 10 April 2025
Come and see us at the Violet Town Farmers' Market
Come and say hello to our staff who will be on-hand to discuss the current avian influenza response and to provide helpful information on how to keep your birds happy and healthy.
When: Saturday, 12 April, 9 am - 1 pm.
Where: 41 Tulip Street, Violet Town.
We are contacting residents within the control area around Euroa
Agriculture Victoria is contacting residents who are within the control area around Euroa for the current H7 avian influenza response.
To help us to transition back to normal – we need to hear from you.
Animal disease investigation courses held across Victoria
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
During March, Agriculture Victoria ran 3 Animal Disease Investigation (ADI) courses. The regionally based courses were held in Ellinbank, Bendigo, and Hamilton.
Each course hosted 12 private livestock veterinarians. The majority of participants came from local veterinary clinics in each of the regions.
The courses were presented by a combination of local Agriculture Victoria veterinary officers along with a pathologist from Agriculture Victoria’s state laboratory Agribio, located in Bundoora, Melbourne.
The 2-day intensive courses focus on up-skilling livestock veterinarians across Victoria to conduct disease investigations, and to be especially on the lookout for exotic diseases such as Foot and mouth disease.
The courses have a strong practical theme, with veterinarians getting hands-on experience in learning new techniques and procedures, as well as being given a refresher of their existing skills and knowledge.
Agriculture Victoria has been running ADI courses for well over 10 years, training upwards of 50 private veterinarians a year, and in doing so strengthening the skills of Victoria’s veterinary profession and overall biosecurity preparedness for emergency animal diseases.
The courses have been made possible thanks to the Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program, which is funded through duties generated by the sale of cattle, sheep, goat and pigs and their carcasses in Victoria.
H7 avian influenza restrictions reduced in northern Victoria
Restrictions on poultry owners near the H7N8 avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak near Euroa have been reduced, following no new detections since 24 February 2025.
As of Monday 31 March 2025, the current control area will be reduced to about 40 kilometres from east to west, and 30 kilometres from north to south, including Euroa and Longwood. Mandatory movement controls are no longer in place for townships including Violet Town, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie, as well as for game bird hunters and hunting activities in these areas.
The housing requirement for premises with 50 or more birds in the restricted area is now also lifted, with the voluntary housing of birds still encouraged.
Save the date – BWBL and BB networks roadshow
Our BetterBeef (BB) and Bestwool/Bestlamb (BWBL) networks are hitting the road! The 2025 Beef and Sheep Networks Roadshow will bring top industry experts to 4 locations across Victoria, delivering the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.
In response to seasonal challenges, we’re taking a fresh approach in 2025. Instead of one big Bestwool/Bestlamb and BetterBeef state-wide conference, we’re bringing the knowledge to producers with a series of half-day events, making it easier to attend without spending a whole day off-farm. Same high-quality content — just more accessible and closer to home.
Roadshow dates and locations:
✅ South West Victoria – 28 and 29 May
✅ Gippsland – 3 June
✅ North East Victoria – 4 June.
This format ensures more producers can connect, learn, and plan for the seasons ahead — without the travel commitment of a conference. Mark one (or more) of the roadshow events on your calendar.
Full event details will be published on the Agriculture Victoria events website, and Beef and Sheep Networks Newsflash email newsletter. If you would like further information, email us at beef.sheepnetworks@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Subscribe to the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Newsflash at agriculture.vic.gov.au/newsflash
The Very Fast Break is now available
The first 2025 edition of the Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip is now available.
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.
Victorian tech start-ups take on circular agriculture
The Victorian Government is working with the state’s brightest technology start-ups to develop innovative new solutions to challenges facing the agriculture sector.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the new CivVic Labs challenge theme would be circular agriculture – with a focus on how technology can be used to maximise efficiency, minimise waste, and unlock new revenue streams.
2025 drought resilience scholarship opportunity -now open
The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is committed to building capacity that enhances the future resilience of farmers and regional communities. The Vic Hub is offering 5 awards of $2,000 each to support aspiring research students in the delivery of their research.
The awards are open to students conducting research as part of Honours or post-graduate study. Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Come and see us at the Violet Town Farmers' Market
Come and say hello to our staff who will be on-hand to discuss the current avian influenza response and to provide helpful information on how to keep your birds happy and healthy.
When: Saturday, 12 April, 9 am - 1 pm.
Where: 41 Tulip Street, Violet Town.
Managing On-Farm Safety and Security
Do you want to hear about some options for managing and monitoring farm security and safety?
If you answered yes, then Agriculture Victoria has the workshop for you!
Where: Colbinabbin Country Hotel, 18 Mitchell Street Colbinabbin
When: Thursday, 17 April, from 9 am – 12.30 pm.
This free workshop will cover key risks in managing farm security and explore practical solutions to mitigate them. Led by Grant Sutton, co-founder of AgCloud, the session will focus on farm security challenges and the latest advancements in technology to address them.
Topics will include camera solutions, AI-based machine learning, connectivity, and cybersecurity.
Participants will gain insights into how these tools can help protect farm properties, assets, and operations more effectively.
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
The presenter - Grant has worked in the IT industry for 24 years, with the past 7 years dedicated to developing technology solutions for agriculture. He and his team provide connectivity, asset monitoring, cybersecurity, and other IT solutions, supporting farmers across Victoria. Grant is passionate about combining agriculture and technology in ways that have real and practical applications.
For queries about this workshop and other upcoming events contact: Darryl Pearl on 0417 432 711 or at darryl.pearl@agriculture.vic.gov.au or Roger Harrower on 0407 729 024 or at roger.harrower@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Seasonal stocktake session – Benambra
Join Fiona Baker from Agriculture Victoria and Nicole Frost from Peak Pastures and Livestock for discussions on making the most of pasture, crop and stock decisions for the coming months.
Where: Benambra Recreation Reserve
When: Wednesday 23 April, 11 am – 1 pm
Topics include:
- maximising feed from crops and pasture
- options to rebuild fodder reserves
- protecting pastures in difficult seasons
- the golden rules of supplementary feeding
- animal health – what to look out for.
Lunch will be provided at this free event.
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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