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Thursday 28 August 2025
One-on-one farm advisory service
All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist.
The advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to help farmers take stock and develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is suited to your situation, from a consultant that you nominate from the registered panel.
Agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists and farm business advisors, can support you with:
- feed and water budgeting
- farm safety and workload management
- farm business and financial management
- soil health and pasture re-establishment
- animal health and welfare, and more.
For more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Emily Scott, Engagement Officer Horticulture Standards, Maffra
Horticulture growers should take appropriate action to ensure that produce impacted by weather events or drought conditions is safe for consumption.
Weather events can include dust storms, floods, strong winds or rainfall.
These events can physically damage produce and/or contaminate it with dirt, chemicals or animal faeces carried by wind or water. It is recommended that growers keep records of key weather events that impact their farm, including rainfall records and periods of strong wind.
Chemical residue exposure risk to stock
With the dry conditions and paddocks looking a bit bare, it’s only natural to start eyeing those unused corners of your property.
Perhaps it’s the area around the old shed, the house paddock that hasn’t seen stock in years or even that overgrown tree plantation.
Some might even be thinking about letting cattle into places like an old dip site or the farm rubbish tip.
Agriculture Victoria veterinary officer Dr Lydia Nicholson said before farmers swing open the gate, it’s worth taking a moment to consider what might be lurking in these spots and whether they’re really safe for grazing.
AgVic and VicPol working together for Victoria’s livestock producers
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s method for identifying and tracking of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats for disease control, food safety and market access purposes.
It uses an electronic ear tag or device, marking each animal with its own, individual identification number.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Traceability Manager Ben Fahy said all cattle, sheep, goats and pigs must be tagged with an NLIS-accredited tag, device or tattoo before leaving a property.
Jail time for animal cruelty charges
Mallee farmer Steven Ralston pleaded guilty to 14 charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which included 9 charges of aggravated cruelty comprising of 128 animals, in the Bendigo Magistrates Court recently.
Mr Ralston was sentenced to a 6-month immediate term of imprisonment for the cruelty offences and further fined $10,000 for failing to comply with 3 notices issued by Agriculture Victoria officers.
At the time of offending, Steven Ralston was the owner and person in charge of approximately 2400 sheep located on properties in the Chinkapook region while living in Corack, approximately 120 kilometres away.
Apply now for Summer of Cyber Program
Summer of Cyber is a government program being delivered in partnership with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN).
The program is boosting the cyber capabilities and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses and startups across all sectors, including technology.
It aims to bridge the cyber skills gap by connecting businesses with skilled women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates.
The program works by matching businesses with women and gender-diverse tertiary cyber students and recent graduates to solve cyber-related challenges over 10-12 weeks, at no financial cost to the business.
To participate, businesses will need a cyber-related problem or project that needs solving. Businesses are also expected to provide in-kind support including:
- mentoring and guidance to students
- holding meetings with the project team and being involved in the process
- providing a desk and equipment for the student (if permitted).
Applications for the Victorian Government’s Summer of Cyber Program are now open and close on 15 September 2025.
For all enquiries, please contact summerofcyber@awsn.org.au
Farm Safety First: Tackling Fatigue, with Simon Craig
In this Farming Safe and Well episode, Simon Craig discusses the critical issue of fatigue in farming.
He shares his journey managing a broad-acre grain and sheep farm in Kulinong, Northwestern Victoria, and the steps he has taken to reduce fatigue related risks on his property.
Simon highlights the importance of recognising fatigue signs, implementing training sessions for seasonal workers, and creating a culture of safety and well-being. By hiring additional staff and managing shifts effectively, Simon has seen increased productivity and a better work-life balance.
Listen now to learn how you can create a safer and more efficient farm.
Popular irrigation incentive program set to benefit even more Gippsland farmers
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.
In case you missed it
What's On
CFOP workshop and farm walk – Bass Coast
When: Friday 29 August, 10 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Archies Creek (address provided after registration)
Join us for this informative Bass Coast Carbon Farming Outreach Program (CFOP) workshop and farm walk.
This event will be hosted at the Archies Creek property of Ric Oldham, who has developed a CFOP action plan, and will be supported by expert CFOP presenter Nick Dudley.
Nick has over 15 years of experience in carbon farming and will be speaking on the following topics:
- fundamentals of carbon farming
- tracking and calculating your farm emissions
- estimating your farm’s carbon footprint
- using carbon accounting tools including a greenhouse accounting framework and LOOC–C
- introduction to developing an on-farm emissions action plan
- showcasing Ric Oldham’s case study action plan.
Host farmer Ric Oldham will also provide insights into the development of his action plan and showcase some of the works he has implemented on his property during the farm walk.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided. BYO chair and mug. Please RSVP by Monday 25 August.
South Gippsland Dairy & Farming Expo
Heading to the South Gippsland Dairy & Farming Expo on the 3 and 4 September?
Drop by site 76 to say g'day and talk about:
- Drought resources and support
- Farm biosecurity
- Climate resilience and recovery
- Carbon farming
- And more.
Trigger Point Workshops - Buchan, Omeo and Bairnsdale
Buchan: 3 September, 10 am - 3 pm.
Buchan Rec Reserve - 5609 Buchan - Orbost Road, Buchan.
Omeo: 9 September, 10 am - 3 pm.
Omeo Rec Reserve - Park Street, Omeo.
Bairnsdale: 10 September, 10 am - 3 pm
Gippsland Ag Centre (Bairnsdale Aerodrome) - 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale.
How can information from soil moisture and temperature probes assist your farm management?
Join Agriculture Victoria for an interactive workshop designed to identify seasonal trigger points, plan for seasonal variation and refine decision making on your farm. The workshop will help you use data to inform decisions.
Workshop topics:
- accessing and using soil moisture probes to inform management decisions
- setting trigger points throughout the year for your farm
- data collected from the demonstration sites to date.
VFF Stock Sense: Goat Diseases and Nutrition webinar series
Session 2 - Wednesday 3 September, 6 - 7:30 pm: Managing Victoria's most common goat diseases - identification, prevention and treatment with Berwyn Squire from Agriculture Victoria.
All about feralSCAN
When: Thursday 4 September, 5 to 6:30 pm
Where: online.
Join Peter West from the NSW Department of Primary Industry to hear about how and why recording pest animal sightings on feralSCAN is one easy way we can contribute to pest animal management.
Peter has 20 years’ experience in pest animal research and management and is responsible for the national feralSCAN program.
Download the feralSCAN app to your phone now.
Contact Kirby on kirby@sgln.net.au or 0480 749 731 if you need any help.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnerships against Pests program
Virtual drought smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly
When: Tuesday 9 September and Tuesday 23 September, 9 to 10 am
Where: online
Drought smokos are an hour a fortnight to get away from the paddock and catch up with a group of farmers who are all in the same boat!
We will talk about the science of feeding, how much, which commodities, pros and cons, cost, different options, trigger points and planning.
Dr Jillian Kelly is a vet and nutritionist from Coonamble, in north-west NSW. She ran drought smokos every fortnight through the 2018–20 drought and it made a difference to hundreds of farmers and thousands of livestock.
While you don't get to taste her scones, you do get to learn all that she knows about feeding livestock in tough conditions, and to enjoy an hour of mateship away from the feed cart.
Plant and soil health seminar – Maffra and Pakenham
When: Tuesday 9 September, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: DEECA, 1 Stratford–Maffra Road, Maffra.
When: Wednesday 10 September, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Mercure Pakenham conference room, 77 Racecourse Road, Pakenham.
International soils expert Joel Williams is returning to the region. Learn about foliar nutrition and soil management in baby leaf and brassica crops, including sap testing.
Submit your questions to Joel through the registration page.
Agri Connect: cultivating connections
When: Wednesday 10 September, dinner from 6 pm, followed by a presentation from David Younger at 6:30 pm
Where: Cora Lynn Recreation Reserve, Corner Nine Mile Road and Bunyip River Road, Cora Lynn.
Join Cardinia Shire Council for an insightful session with David Younger, a disaster and community recovery advisor, as he shares practical strategies for managing uncertainty, community challenges, and health impacts.
What to expect:
- Tips on protecting your wellbeing
- Participate in a Q&A with David
- Take home useful tips and ideas
- Connect with others in your community.
For more information, email a.groves@cardinia.vic.gov.au or call 5945 3690.
Intro to lean and drought support business planning
When: Wednesday 10 September, 12:30 to 2:30 pm.
Where: online.
Learn how to strengthen your operations, improve profitability, and drive long-term sustainability with expert insights from Moshie.
What you’ll gain
- introduction to lean business management and how it applies to your farm business
- Moshie’s tools for identifying waste and improving efficiency to increase profitability and resilience
- simple business planning templates to identify areas for improvement
- straightforward costing tools to improve decision-making and resource management
- strategies for risk management, building drought resilience and long-term business sustainability
- 12 months of access to an exclusive online portal, with workshop resources
Also discover other relevant support programs, including:
- Drought one-on-one advisory service – discover how to sign up for free, personalised business planning support with Moshie’s expert team
- On-farm infrastructure grants
- Look Over the Farm Gate.
Who should attend:
- turf, agriculture and horticulture business owners
- farmers, growers and primary producers
- retail and supply chain operators
- anyone managing business costs and resources.
Regional Renewables Farm Forum and Tour
Gippsland New Energy Conference
When: Wednesday 10–Thursday 11 September
Where: Traralgon and Sale.
Forum
When: Wednesday 10 September, 1 pm
- From Social Licence to Social Performance: Nathan Hart
- Transmission Planning for Community Benefit: Adele McCarthy
- Farming the Future – Regional Voices for Climate and Energy: Ben Gebert
- Panel: How can Australia’s shift to renewable energy succeed if it leaves farmers behind?: Kitty Walker, David Clark, Lindsay Marriot
- Powering Paddocks – On-Farm Energy in Gippsland: Sandra Jefford, Stephen Soutar.
Tour buses from Traralgon and Sale
When: Thursday 11 September
Visits to farms using renewable energy technologies:
- chicken broiler circular economy solution and potential anaerobic digestor site
- gravity-fed and solar-powered irrigation solutions
- fully robotic dairy
- solar panel Recycling plant
PPS Annual Conference
This conference, 'Taking Stock' focuses on where our region’s farms are at after a period of low sheep and wool prices followed by very dry conditions.
The conference will also look at the effect of the PPS project on farm resilience to help get through these tough times.
When: Tuesday 9 September, 8 am - 5 pm.
Where: Ararat Town Hall, corner of Barkly and Vincent Streets, Ararat.
Youth Agritech Jobs Expo
When: Wednesday 17 September, 9 am to 3 pm.
Where: Gippsland Agriculture Centre, 345 Bengworden Road, Bairnsdale.
Head along to the Youth Agritech Jobs Expo - showcasing the broad range of careers in agriculture.
For more information, contact Lily on lily.mccole16@gmail.com or phone 0497 694 372.
Look Over the Farm Gate: Help a Mate!
Farming families are invited to a series of community BBQs to connect during the drought conditions.
11 am to 2 pm.
- Tuesday 23 September: Buln Buln
- Thursday 25 September: Longwarry
- Wednesday 1 October: Trafalgar
- Wednesday 8 October: Neerim South
- Tuesday 14 October: Ellinbank
Be Work Ready - Jobs on Farms
- Monday 13 October
- Tuesday 14 October
- Monday 20 October
- Tuesday 21 October
Heyfield Community Resource Centre, 5 George Street, Heyfield.
To book your place, email coordinator@heyfield.net
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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