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Thursday 10 April 2025
Drought support for south west farmers
Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Bushfire recovery support
If your business or industry has been impacted by the 2024-25 bushfires in western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery.
Upcoming supports include:
- Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
- Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.
These programs are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
Visit the Business Victoria website for more information.
Top tips before sowing retained seed this season
Felicity Pritchard, Regional Manager Grains South West
The quality of seed at sowing is a critical component of a crop’s success.
Many crops in western Victoria were impacted by a dry finish and spring frosts last season, while in northern Victoria they were affected by rain during harvest.
Now is the time for farmers to run a germination test on seed retained from 2024, to ensure your new crop has the best possible start. Testing of retained seed allows you to assess the seed’s viability and to adjust sowing rates.
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.
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
Remember to protect paddock trees
Remember to protect paddock trees if you’re burning to manage stubble on your property this autumn.
- slash around trees to establish an adequate fire break
- wet the area around trees before beginning your burn
- be prepared with enough people, water and the right equipment to extinguish the fire.
A permit is required during Fire Danger periods.
Visit the CFA website to check restrictions in your area, or register a burn by calling 1800 668 511, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out more about native vegetation and farming here.
Report any concerns about the destruction of paddock trees during stubble burning to your local council.
The Very Fast Break is now available
The first 2025 edition of the Very Fast Break seasonal climate update video clip is now available.
Biosecurity Roundtable 2024 'What was said?' Report
Victoria’s Biosecurity Roundtable Report 2024 is now available!
Local experts – from the wine industry, wildlife sector, horticulture and more – explored phylloxera impacts on the wine industry, what to do to prepare for our biggest biosecurity threats and reaching diverse communities with important messages.
Drought resilience scholarship opportunity – 2025 scholarships 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.
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool
When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Ultima
When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Recreation Reserve (Ultima Football Club Rooms), Culgoa - Ultima Road, Ultima
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Great Western Low Emissions Farming with Cam Nicholson
When: Monday 14 July, 2 to 6 pm
Where: Great Western Hall, 103 Main Street, Great Western
Topics include:
- Productivity benefits to farm business
- External factors driving the need to track farm emissions
- Carbon neutrality vs carbon intensity
- Best calculators to use to determine farm emissions
- Farm data required to calculate emissions
- What solutions will become available to the livestock and grains industry to help lower emissions in the future?
Emissions in agriculture: Opportunities and risks with Cam Nicholson
When: Tuesday 15 July, 1 to 5 pm
Where: Taylors Lake Hall, 2032 Horsham–Lubek Road, St Helens Plains
Topics include:
- Productivity benefits to farm business
- External factors driving the need to track farm emissions
- Carbon neutrality vs carbon intensity
- Best calculators to use to determine farm emissions
- Farm data required to calculate emissions
- What solutions will become available to the livestock and grains industry to help lower emissions in the future?
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – St Arnaud
When: Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud
The 2 days will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy. Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/events
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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