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Thursday 19 June 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.
Drought support
Rebates for farmers to manage kangaroo impact
More support has been announced to help farmers whose agricultural property is impacted by kangaroos.
Farmers will soon be able to apply for rebates to engage professional shooters to control kangaroos under an approved Authority to Control Wildlife (ACTW).
Find out more or apply for an ATCW online, visit Wildlife management and control authorisations | vic.gov.au
To register an interest to be notified when the program is open email: drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au
SmartFarms to break new ground for soil research
Pictured: Dr Anne Yusuf, soil physicist and senior researcher taking soil samples.
Agriculture Victoria’s soil research capabilities at its Horsham and Tatura SmartFarms have been boosted with a $1.49 million investment from the Australian Government’s National Soil Action Plan (NSAP).
Agriculture Victoria Research Scientist Dr Katherine Dunsford said the ‘Improving soil structure for resilient ecosystems’ project will fund critical research into increasing drought resilience.
‘In Australia soil is the basis for most agriculture, both food and fibre, and directly tied to our food security and economy.
‘This project funding has helped us appoint a dedicated soil physicist Dr Anne Yusuf to our soil physics laboratory facility at the Tatura SmartFarm.
‘Dr Yusuf will apply her soil science, hydrology and ecosystem knowledge to our project and make the most of the technology and facilities available at the soil physics lab and our SmartFarms,’ Dr Dunsford said.
‘Poor soil structure limits rainfall capture and root access to water, shrinking the soil's water bucket.
‘It can also lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced fertility, resulting in lower plant production and poor environmental outcomes.
‘Soils can have naturally poor structure or as a result of management decisions, such as excessive tillage or trampling by cattle in wet conditions.
‘Our research focuses on understanding how different soil amelioration strategies such as organic materials and gypsum can improve soil structure and soil function,’ she said.
Dr Dunsford said they are looking to expand understanding across a wider range of soil types and industries, particularly grains and dairy.
‘The goal is to guide farmers to effective soil improvement strategies to maintain or boost productivity, enhance drought resilience, and increase environmental services in a changing climate.
NSAP is a 5-year plan under the 20-year National Soil Strategy. The funding aligns to priority actions which aim to improve Australia’s soil health and long-term security.
Learn more about NSAP at agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/soils/national-soil-action-plan.
To learn more about our SmartFarms visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/research.
Quick quiz to help evaluate your farm water system
Farmers can use a simple online quiz to evaluate the effectiveness of their farm water supply system – which is available on our website.
Agriculture Victoria Climate Change Service Development Officer Heather Field said the short quiz could help farmers develop a farm water improvement plan for their property.
‘There are 14 questions to help farmers assess their current farm water system,’ Ms Field said.
The quiz is designed to help you assess whether your farm water system is easy to maintain, performs well and is suitable for climate challenges such as warmer, drier climatic conditions, fire risk and other natural disasters such as storm events.
At the end of the quiz, you will receive a score and summary report based on your responses.
‘The quiz is best suited for livestock enterprises that have dams and a reticulated farm water supply system.’
Go to https://go.vic.gov.au/4l4PKDJ and visit the Goals Catalogue to access the quiz. Sign in to our Learning Management System to complete the quiz.
Find more information on drought and dry seasons support and technical decision-making support at https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought
Don’t sacrifice your perennial pastures
With good rain across most of Victoria, farmers may be looking to return stock to paddocks following months of containment feeding.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock and Land Management Extension Officer Neil James said returning stock too early may result in damage or death of deep-rooted perennials such as phalaris, cocksfoot and fescue.
‘The loss of perennial pasture is primarily caused by over-grazing, but when combined with extended dry periods, pasture decline can intensify.
WorkSafe risk warning for silage wrappers
Farm machinery is the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries on farms.
In-line silage wrappers have many hazards and risks.
There are many contributing factors and recommended ways to control risks, for more information go to Employee killed whilst operating a silage wrapper | WorkSafe Victoria
Q Fever eStatements
Make sure you have your Q Fever eStatement before the current register closes. You can download your eStatement up until 30 June 2025.
How to get your Q Fever eStatement - you can start by clicking on this link Q Fever Register Login - Australian Q Fever Register then follow the steps in the document.
If you have problems logging in, call 1300 733 837.
Alternatively, people may have received their statement when immunised from the following email address (if you want to search your own email database): register@mg.qfever.org
Once you have downloaded or received an email of your eStatement, you can take your eStatement to a medical professional like a doctor or practice nurse, who can then load this information to the Australian Immunisation Register on your behalf.
The Australian Immunisation Register will hold this information so you can access it in the future.
A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program
A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program will be available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress.
In response to deteriorating seasonal conditions across the state more LGAs will be eligible for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program.
Agriculture Victoria will continue to monitor conditions and ensure support is given to farmers who need it most.
Find out more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186.
Seasonal Outlook Mythbusting webinar
Did you miss our recent webinar? Click below to watch.
Hear Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey discuss the timing of the autumn break, if summer is really dry - does it have any bearing on the autumn break, why is it so hard to accurately predict the autumn break, current forecasts and what tools are available to help with planning.
Nominations now open for the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards
The awards provide important recognition for biosecurity champions across industry, government and the public, who have made a significant contribution towards protecting our nation from pests and diseases.
If you need help with your nomination or would prefer to provide it in a different format email ABA@aff.gov.au.
Nominations close 9 am, Monday 30 June 2025.
Partnership Against Pests grants
Do you have a great idea to help your community combat established pests and weeds in Victoria? Round 4 of the
Partnerships Against Pests grants program is now open to organisations operating at a regional or local level with an interest in established invasive species management.
Applications close on Friday 4 July 2025 for 1 or 2-year projects between $10,000 and $50,000.
We encourage all eligible groups with innovative and impactful ideas to apply.
Our Agriculture Victoria Research plant pathologists were thrilled to join delegates and speakers from around the world at the 25th Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS) conference in Sydney.
Speaking to the theme ‘From Field to Future, Scientific Collections and Plant Pathology’ staff presented on a diverse range of pathology topics affecting grain and horticulture industries.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Know Your Number, Control Your Future
Join North Central CMA to learn how understanding your farm’s number can help you improve efficiency, boost soil health, and gain access to emerging markets, while providing practical insights to help future-proof your business and maintain profitability.
Free workshops will feature locally relevant strategies and be delivered by people who have practical experience in agriculture.
Drop-in sessions at:
- St Arnaud - 2 July
- Castlemaine - 3 July
Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool, Ultima and St Arnaud
When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool
When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: The Ultima Hotel, Ultima
When: 23 and 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud
Join Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting for a Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success 2 day workshop series commencing in Underbool Wednesday 23 July followed by workshops in Ultima and St Arnaud.
Learn:
- What an effective business plan is and how to define success
- Cashflow management
- Dealing with downturns
- How to undertake a business fitness check
- Identifying success drivers and benchmarking
Catch up with Ag Vic experts Dale Grey and Jim Moran to discuss seasonal risk and biosecurity concerns. Hear Brendan Williams from Autonomous Ag talk about latest in AgTech.
Drought Ready Think Tank
When: Thursday 3 July, 9 am - 4 pm
Where: Horsham Town Hall
Hear about Wimmera Southern Mallee's 11 drought resilience projects and help shape the region’s drought ready future.
Talking trees webinar
When: Thursday 3 July, 5:30-7 pm
Join this Landcare webinar to learn more about how trees can benefit your farm while being used to generate additional revenue through agroforestry, carbon farming, or biodiversity markets.
Winter drought feeding 'Smoko Sessions'
When: 25 June, 9:30-11:30 am
Where: Ballan Recreation Reserve
Join Rumenate and Ag Vic for a yarn at smoko and pick up practical tips to stay on track during a tough season.
- Getting livestock through winter - Jess Revell, Rumenate
- Decision making and mental wellbeing - Ken Solly, Solly Business Services
- Paddock therapy and recovery - Allan Reid, Reid Rural Solutions
- Financial advice and planning
Interpreting soil moisture monitoring equipment
When: Thursday 26 June, 9-11 am
Where: Robinvale Hospital Conference Room
When: Friday 27 June, 9-11 am
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple
Agriculture Victoria, in conjunction with irrigation monitoring and management services company Green Brain (now owned by CropX), is offering a half day workshop for irrigators looking to have a greater understanding of interpreting soil moisture monitoring data.
Drought Resilience 2025
When: Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July
Where: Deakin University, Geelong.
Join experts from all disciplines to learn about and discuss the latest drought resilience research.
Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Cam Nicholson
When: Tuesday 15 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm
Where: Apsley Golf Club.
This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions.
It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future and highlight the relationship between emissions and productivity.
Why should farmers attend?
New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm’s carbon emissions.
Presenter
Cam Nicholson
Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Dr Cass Schefe
When: 22 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm
Where: Kaniva LINK Neighbourhood House
This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions. It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future.
Why should farmers attend?
New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm's carbon emissions.
Presenter
Dr Cass Schefe
Tumpinyeri growers soil biology workshop
When: 1 July, 10 am — 2 pm
Where: 129 Morgantis Rd, Eganstown
Tumpinyeri Growers have been working with RMIT University and the University of Melbourne on a research project examining soil biological health with a focus on nematodes, bacteria and fungi. The workshop will present a summary of the research findings. This will be an opportunity to hear from scientists about soil biology, soil health, and how management practices influence soil properties, plant growth and healthy production systems.
Australian Brassica Conference 2025
When: 21-23 July
Where: Horsham SmartFarm, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham
The 22nd Australian Brassica Conference (ABC) is held every 2 years and is the peak Australian conference for canola research and development, focussed on advancement of canola production and utilisation.
The conference will bring together scientists and representatives from the canola/oilseeds sector to showcase new developments.
For more information, visit www.brassicaconference.com.au
Talk the talk workshop
When: 22 July, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: Harrow Golf Club
A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges.
Bookings essential by 17 July.
GRDC events
Spread Smarter, Grow Better!' workshop – Ouyen
24 June, 8:45 am – 3:30 pm
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/events
25 June, 9-11 am Birchip season & soil discussion: Compaction and deep ripping
25 June, 12 noon to 2 pm Berriwillock season and soil discussion: Dryland salinity & scalds
26 June, 9-11 am Kooloonong season & soil discussion
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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