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Thursday 16 October 2025
Drought support available now
Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.
Our website provides information on available support, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services, and links to other organisations that can help.
You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.
The Victorian Drought Freight Network
The Victorian Drought Freight Network is supporting fodder and grain movements on key freight routes in south west Victoria.
As part of the network, we are also providing a free and tailored service to suppliers, transporters and farmers to help them efficiently navigate the permit requirements to bring feed into Victoria while managing biosecurity risks.
On-farm kangaroo control rebate program
Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program now.
The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos.
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.
Is hay the best option for your crop this season?
Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.
To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.
The Dry Matter Calculator helps farmers work out how much dry matter their crops may yield in tonnes per hectare so they can decide the best time to cut hay.
The Hay versus Grain Calculator compares the gross margin of both hay and grain in dollars per hectare, offering a picture of potential profitability.
The Crop Yield Calculator helps farmers quickly estimate cereal crop yield in the field using a ruler and smartphone. It’s a practical tool for assessing paddock performance, forecasting grain quality, and planning harvest logistics.
Together, these tools can help farmers to make confident, data-driven decisions in the field. To use these calculators, visit the following links:
Monitoring worms essential this spring
Alison Desmond, Project Leader BestWool/BestLamb
Drought conditions over winter may have compromised the condition of sheep and reduced their resistance to internal parasites. Short pastures and prolonged grazing close to the ground can increase the risk of worm larva uptake.
Although pasture growth in spring typically lowers susceptibility, it remains essential to stay vigilant – particularly at and after weaning, when young animals are most vulnerable.
Worm infection costs the Australian sheep industry an estimated $436 million per year in lost production. Sheep infected with worms exhibit signs such as weight loss, poor wool growth, scouring and, in severe cases, anaemia or death. The cost of worm infections can be substantial, with losses in growth, wool, and survival, along with treatment expenses.
Weaners are the most vulnerable group of animals, as they have the highest susceptibility to internal parasites. Their natural immunity, which protects them against worms, doesn’t develop until about 12 to 18 months of age. Stressors associated with the weaning process can also compromise immunity.
Conducting regular worm egg counts (WECs) provides the best chance of detecting a worm burden and targeting appropriate treatments. A WEC shows the number of worm eggs in a sample of faeces and indicates the size of an internal worm burden.
Watch for Phalaris poisoning in livestock
After months of dry conditions, recent rains have brought a lush flush of green growth across the region — but along with it comes a hidden danger for livestock: Phalaris toxicity.
Livestock producers are being urged to monitor their animals closely, as grazing on young Phalaris grass, particularly when there is little other feed available, can lead to severe illness or even sudden death.
Phalaris grass is particularly dangerous in its early growth stage — usually the first 6 weeks.
During this period, the plant contains toxic alkaloids that can trigger Phalaris staggers, a condition affecting coordination and mobility. Another threat, Phalaris sudden death syndrome, arises from high ammonia levels in the animal’s system. Sheep are especially vulnerable, while cattle are somewhat less so.
Interestingly, kangaroos are also very susceptible. Numerous cases of Phalaris staggers in kangaroos have recently been seen. Phalaris staggers may not appear immediately. Symptoms can develop between 10 days and 4 months after grazing the pasture.
Animals may stagger or stumble, adopt a ‘bunny hop’ gait, nod their heads, struggle to stand or eat, and lose weight. Some sheep may recover but remain permanently affected.
Sudden death syndrome is far more rapid. Signs, which typically emerge 12 to 36 hours after grazing, include breathing difficulties and blue-coloured gums, often leading to death within hours.
If Phalaris toxicity is suspected, affected animals should be removed slowly but immediately from the pasture to reduce further risk.
Preventive measures include:
- limiting grazing during the first 2 days to only a few hours per day
- managing stocking rates carefully
- providing hay before turning stock onto pasture to reduce overeating in cobalt-deficient areas, cobalt supplementation may help reduce the risk of Phalaris staggers, although it does not prevent sudden death syndrome.
Producers concerned about Phalaris toxicity should contact their local veterinarian, their Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.
AgTech showcase officially launches in Victoria
The Victorian Government is proud to support the launch of evokeAG 2026 – an internationally renowned agriculture and innovation event that is coming back to Melbourne.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence joined industry leaders at the launch to recognise AgriFutures Australia’s event that will be held across multiple days in February 2026.
Got chooks? Sign up for Poultry Post
Got chooks? Stay in the loop with Poultry Post.
Whether you keep one chicken or a whole flock, Poultry Post is your go-to newsletter for biosecurity tips, H5 bird flu updates, and expert advice to keep your birds safe.
Together, we can protect Australia’s poultry and wild bird populations.
Drive change: Be the next VGT Chair
The VGT is seeking a passionate and strategic leader to step into the role of Chair. This is a unique opportunity to guide the development of VGT’s new gorse strategy and help shape the future direction of community-led pest plant management across the state.
As Chair, you’ll work closely with landholders, community groups, and government partners to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and ensure gorse control efforts are effective and sustainable.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and lead the next chapter of VGT’s work, we encourage you to apply. Applications close 7 November 2025
In case you missed it 📰
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Webinar: 2026 Rural Women's Award & Acceleration Grant Q and A
When: Monday 20 October, 12 pm
Join Agrifutures Australia on Monday 20 October 2025 for a Q and A session on the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award & Acceleration Grant
WCMA Otways livestock and landscape tour
When: Monday 20 October
Where: Yan Yan Gurt West Farm, Otways
Join WCMA on a free bus tour to the Otways to visit a thriving carbon-neutral prime lamb operation with a strong focus on biodiversity.
Pickups and drop offs from Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Skipton and Beeac
Wimmera Pulse Field Day
When: Wednesday 22 October, 8:30 am for 9 am start to 1 pm
Where: 500m north of the intersection at Dimboola-Minyip Road and Keenan’s Road, Kewell. Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kbFsH4o8kKVaPbVx6
Join our pulse agronomists, researchers and experts from across the pulse industry for our annual field day and trials showcase at Kewell.
See firsthand the results of our trials in lentil, field pea, chickpea and faba bean.
Farm fire preparedness webinar
When: Monday 20 October, 12 pm
Online and free
Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital. Whether you’re a livestock producer, run a horticulture enterprise, a small landholder, or are new to farming it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season. Join us for this upcoming webinar about Farm Fire Preparedness.
Planning and preparing for the bushfire season includes identifying risks and undertaking tasks to prepare your farm well ahead of the fire season.
In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie and will discuss key preparedness activities, tools and templates to help you plan for the fire season. Landholders impacted by recent fires will share their stories of preparing for fire, putting a fire plan into practice and share information on the recovery process.
Topics include:
- preparing farm infrastructure
- farm asset inventories and insurance
- fire preparedness checklists, action plan and map
- planning for impacts and recovery
- updating your Property Identification Code (PIC)
RIC Webinar – Get ‘RIC Ready’ to apply for a low-cost farm business loan
When: Wednesday 29 October, 12-1 pm
Get ‘RIC Ready’ Webinar - an essential guide to help farm businesses, trusted advisers and interested stakeholders learn more about RIC loans. Join our free webinar to understand more about eligibility criteria before applying and what you need to know before you submit an application for an Australian Government low-cost loan delivered by RIC (Regional Investment Corporation).
Carbon Farming Outreach Program webinar
When: Friday 7 November, 3-5 pm
Join Elise Bowen, a trusted expert in sheep production from Sheep Data Management, for a webinar focussing on practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
A Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program event.
Bushfire Preparation Workshop
When: Saturday 8 November, 9:30 am - 1 pm
Where: Heritage Fruit Trees, Beaufort VIC (directions provided on booking)
Learn the measures that helped Heritage Fruit Trees defend their home and business during the February 2024 bushfire.
Practical tips on:
- Fire pumps and rooftop sprinklers
- Managing fuel loads
- Stay-or-go fire plans
- Preparing to support for firefighters
Bring a friend! Save $9.50 per person when booking in groups of 2+
Spaces are limited – book today! https://www.heritagefruittrees.com.au/bushfire.../
GRDC events
23 October, 7-8:30 pm, New Frontiers Grainstorming, online – Workshop 1
24-25 February, GRDC Grains Research Update – Bendigo
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/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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