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Thursday 04 June 2026
Don't let your dog roam
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer
One of my most vivid childhood memories was of a dog attack on the sheep on our neighbour’s property.
For our neighbour’s sheep, it was carnage with dead and injured sheep across the paddock.
The dog involved was caught and euthanised, which also left me sad and angry since it was somebody’s pet, and it seemed like a nice, friendly dog.
BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Conferences early bird ticket sales end this Sunday
The theme of this year’s BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Conferences is ‘Turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities’.
We’ve lined up some amazing speakers who will test your thinking and inspire new ideas.
Among the program you’ll find:
- John Francis (Agrista): speaking on both days, John will challenge how producers think about risk, revealing why mindset, not markets, may be the biggest driver of profit
- Ricky and Marni Luhrs (Mooralla Merino Stud): hear how Ricky and Marni utilised knowledge from a BestWool/BestLamb Conference to create a resilient whole farm system
- Prof. Peter McGilchrist (University of New England): 1 of the Feeder Steer Masterclass speakers, Peter will explore what’s next in beef eating-quality improvement beyond marbling, including red meat yield, tenderness and ageing
Join us in Ballarat on 23 and 24 June - early bird ticket sales end this Sunday! Tickets are available at trybooking.com
Is your PIC up-to-date?
In an emergency such as fire, flood or disease outbreak, every minute counts. Your Property Identification Code (PIC) helps us to contact you quickly and trace animals accurately when needed.
Keeping your PIC details current is a simple step that helps protect your livestock, your property, and the wider livestock industry.
Remember to update your PIC when:
- your contact details change (phone, email or address)
- your livestock changes (type/species)
- your management changes (new manager or changing business ownership)
- your property details change (new land or you have downsized your landholdings)
Do your part to help keep Victoria’s livestock industry safe.
Drone did you know? Maintain full control at all times
Pictured: a drone operator preparing to fly a drone for chemical spraying
Remotely piloted aircraft, or drones, can be a useful tool for aerial spraying. But not all their features can be deployed in the paddock. Fully autonomous spraying is not allowed under Victorian rules or aviation safety laws.
Pilots must maintain control at all times and actively monitor the flight from start to finish. This is important to reduce the risk of spray drift, crashes and chemical exposure if conditions change during a flight.
You must not use a drone that:
- flies without the pilot being able to intervene
- sprays chemicals without a manual override
- continues operation if communication with the pilot is lost.
More productive trees on farms to benefit landowners
Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle announced the roll-out of the Trees on Farms Utilisation Program and the latest recipients of the Incubator Program.
The Trees on Farms Utilisation Program is a $4.5 million initiative that will help farm forestry plantation owners make the most of their existing plantations.
Eligible landowners can access a free professional assessment of their plantations, providing tailored insights into timber quality, market opportunities and next steps – all with no cost or obligation.
Guide how we care for Victorian waterways
Pictured The Sale Swing Bridge at the junction of the Thomson and Latrobe Rivers
Consultation has opened for the new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy, which guides how we will sustain Victoria’s waterways, while balancing the many ways we use and value them.
Waterways are the lifeblood of communities, supporting our health, wellbeing and productivity, as well as providing critical habitat for Victoria’s native wildlife and plants.
This will be the third iteration of the 10-year waterway management strategy and will build on more than 20 years of learnings and achievements in waterway and catchment management across Victoria.
Securing Victoria's farming future
The Victorian Government is supporting farmers to increase production and build stronger businesses.
Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle recently visited Ellinbank SmartFarm in Gippsland to announce 2 research projects to support Victoria’s agricultural sector.
Victorian scientists will explore potential RNA treatments that could protect crops and livestock from diseases.
Nominate a safety star for the WorkSafe Awards
Individuals and businesses championing health and safety improvements at work are encouraged to share their stories, with nominations now open for the 2027 WorkSafe Awards.
In its 37th year, the annual awards will shine a spotlight on efforts that reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers – celebrating the employers, workers and teams who have developed creative health and safety solutions, fostered a strong safety-first culture, and supported injured workers in their return-to-work journey.
Access to fertilisers during global supply disruption
Picture: Fertilizer Australia
Farmers are finding it harder to get enough fertiliser. Conflict overseas has disrupted production and supply chains, reducing availability and driving up prices in Australia.
When supply is disrupted overseas, the impacts are felt locally. It is important to plan ahead, understand Victorian regulations before purchasing, and avoid compromising on fertiliser quality.
Victoria regulates fertilisers to reduce risks that harm soils, animals and people. The rules apply to fertilisers sold in packaging and in bulk. They focus on managing heavy metal contamination and making sure buyers receive clear product information.
For more information on what fertiliser regulations are in Victorian, visit the Agriculture Victoria fertiliser regulation page.
Look Over the Farm Gate applications
Pictured: the Look Over the Farm Gate community grants program has funded projects including creative workshops, like this Blooming in the Dry event in Kyabram
In response to the bushfires and ongoing drought, Look Over the Farm Gate applications are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
For more information on bushfire support, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
Don't forget to nominate
Nominate a biosecurity champion for the 2026 Australian Biosecurity Awards.
With 9 categories, the awards recognise significant biosecurity contributions across industry, science, community, education and more.
If you know someone whose leadership, collaboration or innovation is enhancing Australia’s biosecurity, consider nominating them.
Nominations close 5 pm, Tuesday 16 June.
Drought Hardship Loans
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 information can be found here: drought.gov.au
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line, providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across Gippsland.
Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:
✔ managing stress
✔ building resilience for tough times
✔ balancing work and life with practical tools
✔ getting support for big decisions and life changes
To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 045 747.
Find out more at: www.nexsolutions.org.au
For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Be work ready - jobs on farms
When: 9 - 19 June. 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Heyfield Community Resource Centre 5 George Street, Heyfield
Looking to start a rewarding career in agriculture? With strong industry connections, farm visits and support to make the first steps into employment, this course will make you better prepared to secure real job opportunities in your community.
This course runs over 5 sessions: Tuesday 9 June, Wednesday 10 June, Wednesday 17 June, Thursday 18 June, Friday 19 June.
Cost is $20.
Perennial multi-species pasture demo
When: 27 June, 10 am – 1:30 pm
Where: 450 Cardinia Road, Officer
Simon and Michelle Beard from ‘Meat me at the Gate’ will show their demonstration site where they are trialling 2 different practises to establish perennial multi-species pastures on their beef farm.
Jade Killoran is an independent multi-species cover crop consultant and researcher, working with Victorian farmers through her consultancy, Healthy Farming Systems. She helps farmers trial, adopt and manage multi-species crops on-farm.
Jade will talk about the role of multi-species pastures to:
- build soil resilience
- extend growing seasons
- provide opportunities to increase quality dry matter production in a beef breeding and fattening operation
All farmers are welcome.
Catch up with other farmers, see a great farm and have a yummy meal together.
Lunch is provided, so please RSVP by Sunday 21 June.
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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