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Thursday 1 May 2025
H7 avian influenza restrictions reduced
Areas where there are restrictions on the movement of birds, bird products, equipment and vehicles, for the control of the H7N8 avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak near Euroa, have been reduced.
From Monday 28 April, restrictions will apply only within a new 5 km control area around the four affected properties near Euroa.
Mandatory movement controls including those for game bird hunters and hunting activities, will no longer apply in areas outside the new control area.
Agriculture Victoria will further revise the restrictions as it continues to monitor for disease, complete decontamination of affected properties and eradicate the outbreak.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Sally Salmon, thanked the poultry industry and the community for their cooperation to date.
“This is a significant step towards establishing Victoria’s freedom from high pathogenicity avian influenza.”
“We have been able to further ease restrictions due to the cooperation and hard work of industry, community and the impacted property owners.”
“We are in the final stages of decontaminating the affected premises. We have had over 100 staff and contractors working on the response for almost 3 months and we appreciate their ongoing commitment.”
Restrictions remain in place for the movement of birds, poultry products (including eggs and manure), equipment, and vehicles on or off properties in the new control area. Game bird hunting is also not permitted in the control area.
To prevent and eliminate biosecurity threats, every livestock producer should have an up-to-date farm biosecurity plan and be able to recognise signs of diseases that could impact their animals.
Poultry farmers and backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or to your local vet.
More information on the current H7 bird flu response, including movement permits and a map showing the new control area, is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza or by calling the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
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
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.
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
Working towards a safer future for farming families
Fourth-generation Wimmera farmer Scott Arnold knows that safety improvements can have a big impact – not only on productivity but on peace of mind.
2025 drought resilience scholarship opportunity closes tomorrow
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. Applications close Friday 2 May.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found our website.
Preparing for the season ahead BBQ
When: Friday 2 May, 8:30 - 10:30 am
Where: Cudgewa Recreation Reserve
When: Friday 2 May, 12 noon - 2 pm
Where: Corryong Recreation Reserve
Presentations by Ag Vic, Rural Financial Counselling Service, AgBizz Assist on the seasonal outlook, animal health considerations, feed budgeting, financial budgeting and planning.
Call 0455 727 000 or email umlandcare@bigpond.com to register
Creating an animal health plan for beef
When: Wednesday 7 May, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Tallangatta Bowling Club, 2 Akuna Avenue, Tallangatta.
Join Agriculture Victoria and veterinarian Dr Ben Blomfield from the Mackinnon Project for a free workshop. At this interactive workshop, you will identify local health issues and learn about their prevention and treatment options to create an animal health plan for your herd.
An animal health plan is an important tool for farmers to minimise biosecurity risks and increase animal performance.
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.
When: 7 May, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Tallangatta Bowling Club
Join Agriculture Victoria and veterinarian Dr Ben Blomfield from the Mackinnon Project for a free workshop. At this interactive workshop, you will identify local health issues and learn about their prevention and treatment options to create an animal health plan for your herd.
What is healthy, productive soil?
When: Monday 12 May, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Gundowring (details sent after registration)
Dr. Cassandra Schefe will delve into the challenges you might encounter in understanding your soil's structure, fertility, and the chemical and physical barriers that may be present. Cassie will also discuss methods to increase soil carbon and improve water retention within the soil profile.
Learn how to enhance your pastures and achieve environmental benefits through better water and nutrient management, reducing the risks of surface runoff, erosion, and drainage issues.
BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb Network Roadshow
Agriculture Victoria’s BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb network 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 4 June
Where: Mansfield Golf Club, Mansfield.
The role of trees in carbon farming
When: Monday 12 May, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Gundowring (details sent after registration)
Murrindindi Climate Network and Agriculture Victoria are excited to have Dr Hugh Stewart attending as principal speaker and trainer of LOOC-C (CSIRO developed tool for the assessment of carbon sequestered by different types of tree plantings).
Topics and Presenters:
• On-Farm Emissions Action Plan pilot, Emma Smith, Senior Project Officer Agriculture Emissions & Climate, Agriculture Victoria
• Case study – the roles of trees on Yan Yan Gurt West farm, Dr Hugh Stewart, Hugh Stewart Consulting
• The Victorian Carbon Farming Program North Central Victoria, Liam Costello, A/Program Director Plantations Strategy, Forestry Industry Division, DEECA
• Hands-on training session to use LOOC-C to estimate carbon sequestration potential of your tree plantings
This is a free event but places are limited. RSVP essential.
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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