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Thursday 13 August 2026
H5 bird flu update as cases spread to new regions
Reports from community members and land managers across the state continue to play a critical role in pinpointing new cases of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
A further 7 cases of H5 bird flu have been detected in greater crested terns in Phillip Island, Mildura, Warrnambool, Hamilton, Hawkesdale and St Andrews Beach. The new cases bring the total current number to 60 statewide.
Chief Biodiversity Officer James Todd said the detections in new parts of the state – including at Seal Rocks on Phillip Island – were significant developments, but ones that were anticipated based on the spread of the virus in the south-west of the state.
'These detections show us that the virus is continuing to move through wild bird populations, and its ability to move across large regions.'
Backing wildlife volunteers to respond to bird flu
The Victorian Government is providing more support for wildlife volunteers and organisations, following the detection of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes announced a $500,000 funding package for the wildlife sector.
It includes $250,000 for frontline wildlife rescuers and shelters and $250,000 for Wildlife Victoria.
The funding will help wildlife rescuers and carers buy personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies needed to meet strict biosecurity requirements.
Protecting Victoria's penguins from bird flu
The Victorian Government is moving quickly to protect Victoria’s little penguins from H5 bird flu.
Following the Commonwealth’s vaccine announcement, doses have arrived at Phillip Island and are ready to be administered early next week, pending final regulatory approvals.
More than 5,000 little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda are expected to be vaccinated as part of the program.
Victorians invited to help shape biosecurity in the state
Victorians with an interest in protecting and enhancing biosecurity are encouraged to apply for Biosecurity Reference Group (BRG).
Agriculture Victoria is seeking expressions of interest for the third term of the BRG, from 2026 to 2029.
The group brings together people from across Victoria to provide independent advice and support the implementation of Victoria's Biosecurity Strategy.
Lifting lamb survival through better lambing management
Alison Desmond, Project Leader BestWool/BestLamb
For many sheep producers, lambing is already underway or completed. However, those lambing in August and September still have opportunities to influence lamb survival and marking percentages through management of the lambing environment.
Improving lamb survival remains one of the most profitable opportunities in sheep production. While genetics and seasonal conditions play a role, management decisions before and during lambing can have a major impact on the number of lambs weaned.
Agricultural and pastoral society grants now open
The Victorian Government is backing agricultural and pastoral societies to help regional communities come together, support local economies and promote Victorian agriculture.
Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle announced the opening of applications for this year’s Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program. The grants provide successful applicants with up to $10,000.
Prepare now for spring plague locust hatchings
Now is the time to prepare for spring plague locust hatchings
The risk of plague locusts has increased across Victoria due to favourable autumn and winter conditions, more egg laying, and high locust numbers in New South Wales and South Australia. Egg hatching is expected to occur sooner than originally predicted.
Mallee: moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from mid-September.
Wimmera: low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in spring, with hatching expected from late September.
Now is the time to prepare:
- check paddocks, roadsides and bare or lightly grassed areas for egg beds
- learn what young locusts look like
- get your chemical and management plans ready.
Spraying is most effective about 2 weeks after hatching, when young locusts can’t fly and start to band together.
See locusts? Report them to us. Early reporting helps track locust movements and supports timely management responses.
Celebrating National Biosecurity Week
Biosecurity benefits us all, and we each have a part to play in protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases.
National Biosecurity Week raises awareness and showcases the collaborative efforts of government, industry, peak bodies and the community in protecting the Australian way of life.
Bushfire information
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Support for farmers and workers in the south west
Drought impacted farming families and workers in the south west are encouraged to access financial support to ease cost-of-living pressures caused by prolonged drought conditions.
Up to $1,000 is available for farmers, farm employees and farm dependent contractors in 11 south west local government areas and parts of the West Wimmera Shire through Household Financial Relief Payments coordinated by the Country Women's Association (CWA).
Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan
Pictured: RIC Drought Hardship Loans are available for farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts.
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support: drought.gov.au
- Gippsland Red Meat Conference comes to Sale
Grants for timber and fibre businesses to innovate - Be on the lookout for foot problems in sheep
- Understanding the risks of Q fever
- Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship closes 14 August
- Building a new home for animals in Ballarat
- Australian-first
Stubble Quail GPS tracking research begins in Victoria
WorkSafe Noise Basics workshop
When: Tuesday 18 August and Thursday 3 September 9 am – 12 pm; and Wednesday 9 September 1–4 pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Noise Basics is a free education program helping Victorian employers who manage occupational health and safety (OHS) in small to medium businesses. Get practical tools to prevent noise-related injuries, improve safety and support a more productive workplace.
The online workshop helps you:
- improve your knowledge about the types of occupational noise and what makes it hazardous (e. g. level of noise to which employees are exposed, duration of exposure to the noise, systems of work, plant and other sources of noise at the workplace)
- improve your risk management practices in relation to occupational noise
- understand your OHS responsibilities
- spot early warning signs of an injury from occupational noise
- access free resources and support tools
- keep your workplace safe.
The workshops are designed for Victorian employers, managers and supervisors with OHS responsibilities; and small and medium-sized businesses (1-199 employees), including full-time, part-time and casual workers.
Get RIC Ready free webinar
RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) is hosting a free online Get RIC Ready webinar to help you understand if a RIC low-interest loan is right for you and get prepared to apply, so you can take the next step with confidence.
When: Wednesday 19 August, 12 pm
Where: Online
The webinar is for farmers, advisers and industry representatives keen to find out more about RIC loan eligibility, how to apply, and how RIC loans can help farmers in financial need. RIC Agri Lending Specialists and Rural Financial Counsellors will lead the session to answer your most frequently asked questions.
Can’t attend the live event? Register anyway and RIC will send you the webinar recording.
Success with succession planning – Skipton and Lake Bolac
When: Monday 17 August, 8:30 am (for 9 am start) – 2:30 pm
Where: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, Geelong Road Skipton
Lake Bolac (19 August) and Skipton (18 August) events fully booked
Farm business owners, partners and family members are invited to a free 1-day workshop to learn how to plan a smooth transition of their family farm.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke will work with participants to understand the success factors and common pitfalls in farm succession, ensuring the legacy continues, the business remains viable, wealth grows and families stay connected for generations to come.
Registration is essential. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to farming families before advisers.
For further information, contact Julio Vargas (0428 316 018) or Kate McCue (0407 099 793).
Farming Forecaster webinar
When: Tuesday 18 August, 7–7:30 pm
Where: Online
Join Agriculture Victoria and South East Local Land Services (NSW) for a 30-minute webinar on Farming Forecaster, a decision support tool providing real-time soil moisture data and three-month pasture production forecasts from sites across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Hear from Matt Lieschke (Senior Agricultural Adviser, South East Local Land Services) and Jane Court (Agriculture Victoria) as they demonstrate how to access and use the platform to support on-farm decision making.
Farm and livestock: Water workshop
When: Wednesday 19 August, 12–4:30 pm
Where: Finlay Emporium, 21 Henty Street Casterton
Cost: Free
Join us at this practical workshop and gain insights to support future livestock water planning and management decisions.
Topics covered include:
- Livestock water supply and demand calculations
- Dam siting and construction
- Storage volume estimation
- Runoff management strategies
- Current water access requirements, including the use of groundwater, bores and guidance for pumping water from creeks and rivers
- The effects of changing land use and declining runoff over recent decades
- The Glenelg River Compensation Flow and its importance for both environmental and agricultural water security
- Guidance on the best time to access flows for stock water.
- Practical approaches to capturing, conserving, and maximising on-farm water resources, including:
- pasture roofs
- contour drains, and
- products designed to reduce evaporation losses.
The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion and question-and-answer session. Participants will have the opportunity to seek answers and discuss their own circumstances.
Lunch and afternoon tea provided.
Springing back better – strategies that count
Ballarat: Monday 17 August, 7–8:30 pm
Where: The Red Lion Hotel, 223 Main Road Ballarat
Woolsthorpe: Friday 21 August, 10:30 am – 12 pm
Where: The Union Hotel, 23 Manifold Street Woolsthorpe
Cobden: Monday 24 August, 7–8:30 pm
Where: Thompson's Hotel, 36 Curdie Street Cobden
Colac: Wednesday 26 August, 10:30 am – 12 pm
Where: Colac Bowling Club, 35 Moore Street Colac
Come along, hear what's worked for others in recent seasons, and pick up ideas to set up for spring and beyond. The discussion will cover:
- learnings and successful farm strategies that farmers have used to manage the drought and prepare for the future
- key decisions for a successful spring, including nitrogen fertiliser use and maximising fodder production.
There will be time to catch up with others over a meal.
This workshop is brought to you by Agriculture Victoria and WestVic Dairy as part of the Farm Business Resilience Program.
The FBR Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government's Sustainability Fund.
AI in horticulture workshop – Werribee
When: Thursday 27 August, 2:30–5 pm
Where: Werribee
Victorian growers are invited to a practical demonstration on how AI can be used to support horticulture - from farm to packing shed and beyond.
Learn from two presenters about a wide variety of uses for AI, including: the different AI options available - cost, pros/cons etc privacy and data protection using AI to analyse farm and factory data AI in meetings, the pack-shed and much more.
The event will be tailored to grower questions - tell us how you would like AI to support your farming operations. Minimal cost input for maximum efficiency output.
Future-proof your family farm business – Kaniva and Hopetoun
Kaniva: Tuesday 1 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Kaniva Community Hub, 132 Budjik Street Kaniva
Hopetoun: Thursday 3 September, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Hopetoun Golf Club, Hopetoun-Rainbow Road Hopetoun
Kaniva and Hopetoun farmers are invited to a free 2-day workshop.
Learn practical planning skills to help prepare your farm business for the future. Build strategies to manage climate risk, strengthen resilience and create a more adaptable business.
Presenter Dr Kate Burke is an independent farm consultant, agri-strategist and educator. Kate has extensive experience in farm business management and works with farming families and businesses across a range of areas.
Kate will share practical insights on:
- improving farm productivity
- strengthening farm finances
- leadership, people and succession planning
- managing climate variability and uncertainty.
Participants will:
- identify what matters most to them
- learn how to improve productivity, people and profit areas of their business
- explore ways to balance growth and risk
- set priorities and create a practical plan for the future.
This workshop will give participants tools and strategies they can apply to their own farm business.
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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