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Thursday 13 November 2025
Primary producers – drought support is available
Apply today for a Farm Drought Support Grant to support drought management activities including:
- Stock containment areas (SCA)
- Reticulated water systems
- Irrigation system upgrades
- Grain and fodder storage
- Internal re-fencing
- Feed system upgrades
- Pasture/crop restoration
- Water carting for livestock and essential business activities.
Eligible primary producers across the state can access up to $5,000 (ex-GST) as a co-contribution grant, while south west Victorian producers can access up to $10,000 (ex-GST).
For program guidelines, a list of eligible drought management activities and to apply, visit Rural Finance.
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.
Farmers across the state are using Farm Drought Support Grants to set themselves up for the current, and future droughts.
Farmers can claim expenses on eligible activities since 30 September 2024.
For program guidelines, a full list of eligible activities, and to apply visit Rural Finance.
Pest detection prompts market access requirements
Agriculture Victoria has fast-tracked new accreditation processes to help horticultural businesses with market access requirements after a new detection of tomato potato psyllid (TPP).
Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Rosa Crnov confirmed TPP was recently detected in a home garden in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and outside of the current restricted area on the Bellarine Peninsula.
‘The new detection occurred outside the restricted area, indicating that the pest may be present beyond the previously identified area.’
‘We’ve worked with industry to develop a new arrangement, helping businesses to maintain interstate market access,’ Dr Crnov said.
Agriculture Victoria co-hosted a webinar with Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria recently to help guide businesses through the changes.
The webinar, along with information and resources, will also be available on the Agriculture Victoria website for businesses to access.
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.
Vet Talk – Importance of regular checks to monitor for eye cancer
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
This week I’m drawing attention and urging cattle producers to regularly check their livestock for signs of eye cancer, a condition that can cause significant animal suffering and financial loss if left untreated.
Eye cancer, which typically affects the eyelid or eyeball, is most commonly seen in white-faced breeds such as Herefords.
The disease is associated with prolonged exposure to sunlight and typically begins as a small growth that gradually enlarges, potentially invading surrounding tissue and spreading to other parts of the body.
If undetected, eye cancer can result in animals being condemned at the abattoir, reduced productivity and breaches of animal welfare standards.
Prompt veterinary treatment or culling can significantly reduce the severity of the disease.
Genetic selection also plays a role in prevention. Breeding cattle with pigmentation around the eye, particularly in the sclera and eyelid, can lower the risk of developing tumours.
When a tumour is found, the recommended course of action depends on its size and condition:
- small tumours (under 5-cent piece, clean and not flyblown): Animal may be sold through a saleyard for slaughter only.
- medium tumours (between 5-cent and 20-cent piece, clean and not flyblown): Direct sale to an abattoir is permitted.
- large or infected tumours (bleeding, flyblown, or larger than a 20-cent piece): Animal must be disposed of on-farm or sent to a knackery.
Failure to act appropriately may result in prosecution under the Livestock Disease Control Act or the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
A photographic guide to assessing eye cancers is available from Agriculture Victoria. For further advice, producers are encouraged to contact their local veterinarian, Agriculture Victoria Animal Health Officer.
What can you do about an evaporating dam?
Kerri Goschnick, Land Management Extension Officer
As we head into the warmer months, it's essential to monitor your water storage regularly. This helps you understand how much water stock is drinking and what you may be losing through evaporation or leakage.
See if you can identify which is having the greatest impact – water used through stock consumption or water lost through evaporation or leakage. Have you simply run out of water because there has not been sufficient rainfall to produce the required runoff?
To generate runoff into storages, rainfall events typically need to exceed 20mm. If your grass height is over 50 mm, you may need 60 mm or more per event. Many regions have not had these types of events for some time.
Funding available to boost CALD workforce participation in agriculture
Agriculture Victoria and Gardiner Foundation are inviting expressions of interest (EOIs) for local projects that help strengthen the integration of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities into Victoria’s agricultural workforce.
The Accelerating CALD Workforce project supports place-based initiatives that create opportunities for CALD people to access employment, while building the capability of agricultural businesses to attract and retain a diverse workforce through inclusive and culturally safe practices.
Funding of up to $50,000 per initiative is available for eligible projects delivered in the Goulburn Murray (Greater Shepparton, Campaspe, Moira) and Leongatha–Maffra (south Gippsland, Wellington) regions.
Eligible applicants include local governments, agricultural businesses, industry bodies, multicultural organisations, community groups and education providers.
Round 1 EOIs open 6 November and close 5 December 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by 17 December 2025, with projects delivered from January to December 2026.
Find out more or apply by downloading the following form(s):
For more, place-based information please contact:
- Goulburn Murray: Tonia Lincoln, tlincoln@primarycareconnect.com.au | 0447 219 158
- Leongatha–Maffra: Mandy Bucholtz, mandy.buchholtz@gardinerfoundation.com.au | 0407 792 558.
VFF asking transporters to register for emergency fodder delivery
Victoria is becoming drier, which means more risk of bushfires.
With the support of the Victorian Government and as part of the Emergency Fodder Support Program, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is reminding truck transport operators to pre-register their details with them.
In the event of a bushfire or other significant emergency, the VFF may call on those registered to help deliver fodder to where it’s needed most.
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.
Protecting Victorians from mosquito-borne diseases
More Victorians will have protection from the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), with the Victorian Government delivering free vaccines to at-risk regional Victorians this mosquito season.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas is encouraging Victorians to understand the risks of mosquito-borne diseases and to take simple steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites while enjoying more time outside over the warmer summer months.
Backed by a $2.3 million investment, the vaccine is now available to people in 24 regional local government areas, primarily inland riverine regions, where there is a higher risk of exposure to the virus.
Most people with JEV infection do not have symptoms or have only mild symptoms such as a fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.
However, a small number – around one in every 250 people – can develop severe infection of the brain (encephalitis) or meningitis, which can be fatal.
The free JEV vaccine is available for eligible people through GPs, Aboriginal health services, community pharmacies and some local councils.
Simple and practical steps that Victorians can undertake to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, include:
- wearing long, loose and light-coloured clothing when outdoors
- using mosquito repellents that contain active ingredients including Picaridin or DEET
- spraying or rubbing repellent on children’s clothes is recommended, avoiding their skin
- limiting time spent outdoors when mosquitoes are most active such as at dawn and dusk
- removing stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around the home or a campsite
- making sure windows are fitted with mosquito netting or screens.
The government’s mosquito surveillance program is helping track the presence of diseases in mosquitoes across Victoria, providing an early warning system to protect the public.
The surveillance program helps to monitor the presence of JEV, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and West Nile virus – informing public health advice so local communities, holidaymakers and livestock managers can be aware of the risks.
More information is available at: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/protect-yourself-mosquito-borne-disease.
The latest Very Fast Break video is available now
The latest The Very Fast Break video is now available.
The Very Fast Break is delivered as short YouTube videos summarising oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers and the summarised model predictions for rainfall and temperature for Victoria. Visit the Very Fast Break Youtube channel here The Very Fast Break - YouTube
Apply now: irrigation incentive program
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria are pleased to open a new round of farm plan incentives, and for the first time, farmers in Warragul, Thorpdale, Noojee and Perry Bridge and across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment are eligible to apply.
Up to $10,000 per farm is available through the Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program to help with the cost of a professionally designed irrigation plan.
Listen while you work
Hear farmers across Victoria chat about the agriculture sector, like using Ag Tech on-farm and improving farm safety from the paddock to the kitchen table.
Farmers share their inspiring stories of managing the dynamic nature of farming, in droughts or recovering from fires and floods. Plus, much more.
Next time you’re out in the back paddock, driving the tractor, straining a fence, or harvesting a crop, put on a podcast that’s all about you.
Find more information on drought support at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
What's On
Lardner Park Beef Day
When: Friday 14 November, 8:30 am - 2:45 pm
Where: Lardner Park
Ticket Price: $35
Join Lardner Park for the 50th Anniversary Steer Trial Final Day - a celebration of beef, knowledge, and community.
- Expert Insights: learn what makes the difference between a top-quality carcass and one that misses the mark, hear the latest industry analysis from Simon Quilty, and gain culinary perspectives from Coles Ambassador and MasterChef Michael Weldon.
- Special Guest: former AFL star and Essendon captain Dyson Heppell shares his story.
- See the Cattle: witness the final weighing of this year’s steers and the results of Australia’s only grass-fed Steer Trial.
- Taste and Connect: enjoy a beef-focused lunch, network with industry leaders, and share in engaging stories and demonstrations.
Down to earth farm field day
When: Thursday 20 November, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Malabar Farm, 1720 Buffalo-Waratah Rd, Tarwin Lower.
Jenny and Paul O’Sullivan invite you to Malabar Farm to share their valuable insights into sustainable farming. Hear how critical decisions have benefited their bottom line and shaped their farming philosophy.
Alison Kelly, Agriculture Victoria, will explain the process of estimating your farm greenhouse gas emissions, and the power of ‘knowing your number’.
Peter Ronalds, Inspired Ag Solutions, will dive into long-term soil test results and explore how recent dry conditions may have impacted carbon levels.
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.
Webinar – Taking stock of feed quality
Making metabolizable energy and protein work effectively.
Variable seasonal conditions impact quality and quantity of available pasture, silage, hay and grain. Now is the time to look at what ‘fuel’ – metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) – is available to manage livestock productivity through the season ahead.
Join Dr Jill Kelly to explore the fundamentals of ruminant nutrition to drive performance of the rumen to support good productivity. Making the most of ME and CP in conserved fodder, grain and standing feed is vital in running an efficient production system.
When: 2 December
Where: Online
Time: 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Hear from Julian Carroll and Ed Weatherly using in-paddock weighing for cattle and sheep that assists understanding feed and animal performance.
There are a limited number of free feed tests available to Victorian farmers attending, so register early!
For more information, contact Greg Ferrier on 0438 738 634 or greg.ferrier@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Keep up to date with GippsDairy's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Gippsland Agricultural Group's events on their website.
Keep up to date with Food & Fibre Gippsland's events on their website.
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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