Agriculture Victoria

23/10/2026

Applications are open for up to $1,000 to assist households in south-west Victoria with household expenses.
The Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. - CWA is administering the program that provides cash flow relief during tough times.

Recipients have used the grant to cover school expenses, groceries and food, dental and medical treatment, rent and residential rates.

The payments are available to farmers, farming families, farm workers and farming contractors in 11 local government areas (LGA) and some parts of West Wimmera Shire.

Find out if your LGA is included in the program and apply at https://cwaofvic.org.au/household-financial-relief-program/

22/10/2026

There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in livestock in Australia.

H5 bird flu mainly affects birds. While there have been occasional cases in mammalian livestock overseas, these events have generally been linked to close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.

The dairy cattle outbreak reported in the United States was associated with a virus strain that is genetically different from the virus detected in Australia.

The Australian Government’s assessment found the risk of H5 bird flu infection is low for dairy cattle and pigs, and negligible for beef cattle, sheep and goats.

Good biosecurity remains the best protection against H5 bird flu and many other diseases.

Producers should:

✅ Know the signs of disease and promptly report unusual illness or deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
✅ Minimise contact between livestock and wild birds, where practical
✅ Monitor newly introduced livestock and any animals exposed to sick or dead wildlife
✅ Protect feed and water from contamination
✅ Maintain good hygiene for people, vehicles and equipment
✅ Keep accurate records
✅ Ensure staff are trained in farm biosecurity practices.

22/10/2026

📢 Expressions of interest are now open for a new Gippsland farmer network.

Gippsland Irrigator Network (GIN)💧 is open to irrigators across the region to share knowledge, experience and gain practical solutions to common issues.

Interested? Complete the EoI form here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TFkzvDSqXU

21/10/2026

️☀️Phase 2 of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program is underway!

💰Up to $1.55 million is available in each of the nine regions across Victoria to deliver local drought resilience projects.

🌾Building on the momentum of Phase 1, the funds continue to support the coordination, planning and delivery of regional action.

✍️We're now seeking applications from regional organisations and businesses to lead the program in each region.

👇You can find more information in the comments.

21/10/2026

H5 Bird Flu affects wild birds and some mammals.

Hear from Chief Biodiversity Officer, James Todd, about how community reports help our understanding of how the H5 virus is spreading and its potential impact.

If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:

✅ avoid direct contact
✅ record the exact location and what you observed
✅ report it online

🔗 agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

20/10/2026

🤝 Thanks to all the farmers and landholders who have been busy preparing for locust management this spring.

Surveillance from our teams and landholders means we know locusts are forming bands near Meringur, south-east of Werrimull, and along the Mallee Highway between Underbool and Murrayville.

Farmers have been telling us they’ve been spraying their land as a result – and we’re continuing our 🔎 surveillance in the area and other high-risk parts of the Mallee and Wimmera.

Hatching is ongoing, and we’re seeing locusts at different growth stages, which means landholders may notice activity over a longer period.

🦗 If you’re in these areas, check your properties, be ready to spray bands before they can fly using an approved product, and report activity at

The Australian plague locust is a native insect found across Australia. It can have devastating effects on agricultural production.

20/10/2026

📢 Expressions of Interest are now open for the next round of irrigation farm demo projects!

Have an idea you would like to trial on your farm?

We are looking for local irrigators who would like to explore new technologies, management practices or innovative approaches on their farm.

Participants receive financial and extension support to trial ideas, monitor outcomes and share learnings with the broader irrigation community.

👉Learn more: https://wgcma.vic.gov.au/.../learn-irrigate-grow-on-farm.../

19/10/2026

Join us at the 2026 Wimmera Pulse Field Day.

Farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry representatives are invited to join us at Minyip to explore the latest developments in pulse research and production.

The Wimmera Pulse Field Day is an opportunity to see research trials firsthand and hear from researchers and industry specialists about:

🌱pulse agronomy
🌱pulse breeding
🌱nutrition management
🌱nitrogen fixation research

The field day showcases practical research and insights to support informed on-farm decision-making, pulse performance and profitability, while providing an opportunity to connect with others working across Victoria's grains industry.

📌 Wednesday 28 October, 9 am – 1 pm
📌 75 Hemphills Road, Minyip

Find out more here: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1655040

We look forward to seeing you there.

Grains Research and Development Corporation

19/10/2026

🐂 Cattle coming onto or leaving your farm?

Loading and unloading cattle shouldn't be a high-risk job. A safe, well-maintained loading ramp helps protect workers, truck drivers and livestock while making the task easier and more efficient.

Many existing ramps can be upgraded with practical modifications to improve safety and usability.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/cattle-handling to view the video and learn more tips about safe yard design.

WorkSafe Victoria

18/10/2026

Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: applications for financial support close Wednesday 21 October.

🔶 Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises.
🔶 Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have experienced major asset damage or loss of income.

Applications can be made at ruralfinance.com.au/grants