Thursday 1 May 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.

The benefits of stock containment in dry conditions

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging livestock producers to consider effective stock containment strategies to help maintain core herd or flock numbers and support pasture recovery.

Agriculture Victoria’s land management extension officer Kerri Goschnick said dry seasonal conditions and limited rainfall continue to place pressure on grazing operations, impacting pasture growth and causing bare ground across many paddocks.

‘Stock containment refers to confining livestock in designated areas, where farmers can effectively manage feed, water and shelter.

‘This allows farm paddocks to rest until an autumn break causes pastures to recover and withstand livestock grazing.

‘Stock containment doesn’t necessarily require a complicated system; it can be as simple as a sacrifice paddock with good quality water and access for feeding.

‘Farmers should be aware that there is a higher risk of weed infestation when importing feed to supplementary feed livestock.

‘Establishing a stock containment area to use supplementary feed will contain the weed seeds to a manageable area.

‘Weeds to look out for include parthenium weed, particularly in fodder sourced from parts of Queensland and New South Wales.

‘It is important that animals in containment have their nutritional, water and shelter needs met.’

Agriculture Victoria can assist in planning feed budgets and stock containment area design and management.

Further information can be found by searching for these items on the Agriculture Victoria website.

For more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support head to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

The #FarmingSafeandWell tip of the week is to consider where the dangers of confined spaces on your farm are and how to manage them to avoid suffocation from fumes, dust or low oxygen.

Confined spaces on farms can include:
• rooms, garages and sheds without adequate ventilation
• silos
• vats
• underground tunnels and wells
• water tanks
• sewers and manure pits.

Keep yourself, your family, and your workers safe and well – know how to manage the risks.

Visit Better Health Channel to read more about managing confined spaces on farms

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found our website.

Using carbon calculators

When: 12 May
Where: South West TAFE 200 Ballarat Road, Hamilton

Learn the benefits for your farm business. Coordinated by Glenelg Hopkins CMA and presented by Chris Blore from Agriculture Victoria.

More information at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events

Online Farm Business Program

Achieve your business goals, build on your skills and strengthen your farm for the future – join our upcoming online farm business course. 

Delivered over 6 weeks, this course is run in collaboration with Rural People Co. and open to livestock, grains, mixed farmers, horticulturalists and apiarists. 

Join us on Wednesdays from 7 pm.

• Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals - Wednesday, 7 May
• Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making - Wednesday, 14 May
• Module 3: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety - Wednesday, 21 May
• Module 4: Climate risk and natural resource management - Wednesday, 28 May
• Module 5: Business planning - Wednesday, 11 June.

Talk the Talk Workshop - Moonambel and Raglan

Talk the Talk is a free, practical workshop designed to help local communities build confidence to support farmers facing mental health challenges. In the three-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to recognise signs of distress, use observation and listening skills, and start meaningful conversations. Whether you’re a service provider, supplier or neighbour — this workshop gives you the tools to make a difference.

Raglan: 12 - 3:30 pm, Raglan Hall 4 Codrington Street

Moonambel: 6 - 9:30 pm, Moonambel Recreation Reserve, 6190 Stawell-Avoca Road. 

Soils - Sustainable Productive and Profitable - workshop

Young Ag Professionals join Southern Farming Systems and Glenelg Hopkins CMA in Hamilton for a 'Soils - Sustainable, Productive & Profitable' workshop.

The workshop will explore:

• Understanding and identifying soil constraints
• Reading and interpreting soil test results
• Making fertiliser decisions that are sustainable, productive and profitable

14 May, 11 am - 2 pm, HIRL Bandicoot Room, 333 North Boundary Road, Hamilton

2025 Mildura Field Days

When: Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May
Where: Mildura Racecourse, 53 Racecourse Road, Nichols Point

The Mildura Field Days is where agriculture and community unite, and is so much more than a place to keep up with technology and new farming concepts. It is about families having time out, time off and coming together to enjoy a day out experiencing a wonderful showcase of products, services and free entertainment.

• $10 per person
• Aged Concession $5
• Students and Children Under 18 - free

BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb Network Roadshow

Agriculture Victoria’s BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb networks are hitting the road!

The 2025 Beef and Sheep Network Roadshow will bring top industry experts to four locations across Victoria, delivering the latest insights on pastures, livestock, and farm business management.

When: Wednesday 28 May
Where: Edenhope and District Community Centre

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.

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.

Australian Brassica Conference 2025

GRDC events

Birchip Cropping Group 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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