October 12th, 2026Western Ag News

Managing fire fuel on-farm

Get on top of fuel management now ahead of the fire season.

• undertake routine maintenance of house and farm buildings.

• clear long grass and other flammable materials from around the home, yards and sheds.

• establish fire breaks.

Miss the locust webinar? Watch the recording

Missed last week’s webinar on Australian plague locust risk and management?

Farmers and landholders in the Wimmera-Mallee can now watch the recording to learn more about identifying Australian plague locusts, their potential impacts, and management options, along with updates on Agriculture Victoria’s monitoring and guidance for the season.

Passcode: Locusts

Locust hatching has begun in northern Mallee

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging landholders and managers to ramp up their surveillance efforts as locust egg hatching has begun in parts of the northern Mallee.

Agriculture Victoria’s Incident Management Team Incident Controller Alex Perera said now that young locusts have been detected, it’s important for landholders and managers to conduct surveillance of their properties to understand their specific situation.

Grants to rehome and care for our precious pets opens

The Victorian Government is ensuring more Victorian pets get the care they need and have the chance to find a new home.

Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle opened Round 14 of the Animal Welfare Fund Grants recently at Beyond Racing in Myrniong.

The $1.7 million grants round will help organisations across Victoria care for and rehome animals.

Funding will also support organisations providing animal relief facilities and services during emergencies.

New molecular tools for Australian citrus biosecurity

It looks at their research which is helping keep Australia free from exotic pests and protecting citrus growers from damaging plant pathogens.

On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3

The On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 assists Primary Producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety.

The grant is provided as a rebate to approved suppliers following the sale, delivery, installation, and training, where applicable, of eligible equipment to eligible primary producers. Eligible primary producers must access the program through an approved supplier.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them.

Avoid direct contact.

Record what you see.

Report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.

Report even 1 sick or dead:

• wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey

• marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin).

Your report helps us to understand the spread of H5 bird flu across the state. Accurate reports help us respond quickly where necessary.

Shearwaters set to arrive in Victoria

Victorians are reminded that Shearwaters are about to begin arriving in Victoria, migrating from the Northern hemisphere.

Shearwaters travel more than 15,000 km to Australia each year to breed in spring and summer, one of the world’s longest bird migrations. Some exhausted birds do not survive the journey and may be found on Victorian beaches.

DEECA wants to remind Victorians that if they see sick or dead Shearwaters to leave them in place and report their findings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or via the online reporting form.

Supporting H5 preparedness and poultry welfare reforms

With H5 bird flu continuing to pose a biosecurity threat, the Victorian Government is giving poultry producers more time to prepare for new poultry welfare regulations.

The regulations will now be introduced in mid-2027, allowing industry and government to maintain their immediate focus on H5 preparedness and biosecurity.

The existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2016 will apply during the extension.

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.

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.

As we move into the warmer months, support is still available for farmers across Victoria.

Manage current conditions, access practical advice and plan ahead with more confidence with:

• Rural Financial Counselling Service Wellbeing Counsellors – free, confidential wellbeing support alongside its usual financial and business counselling support

• Drought support events – workshops and events across the state supporting farmers in drought and recovery.

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

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.

See us at the Melbourne Royal Show

Visiting the Melbourne Royal Show this weekend?

Drop by the Livestock Pavilion and chat with our team about H5 bird flu, including what backyard chicken owners need to know.

Our team can answer your questions and share practical tips on:

• Recognising signs of disease in chickens

• Protecting your flock

• Supporting healthy habitats for plants and animals

Bring the family along and enjoy some hands-on activities for kids.

Chemical use training for commercial beekeepers

When: 16 and 17 October, 9 am – 5 pm

Where: Melbourne Polytechnic, Fairfield campus

Do you own 20 or more registered beehives? Using chemicals to manage Varroa mite? Become accredited in safe chemical use through Melbourne Polytechnic.

As part of this training program, you may be eligible to be reimbursed up to $200 for the cost of this course.

Mental health first aid training

Elmhurst: Thursday 29 October, 9 am – 3 pm

Where: Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre, 36 Green Street, Elmhurst Do you know how to safely respond when someone says they are struggling?

This free course equips participants with skills to recognise and safely respond to mental health concerns. Participants will receive an accredited Certificate of Completion upon meeting requirements.

Mental health first aid is the help you give to someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. This Mental Health First Aid International course will teach you the resources and competence to safely provide support.

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Wimmera Faba Bean Crop Walk

When: Tuesday 6 October, 8–10 am

Where: Smiley Meyer’s, Polkemmet East School Road (north of Polkemmet Road), Vectis

Cost: Free

Come along to the final crop walk in a 3-year GRDC NGN investment exploring ways to grow more consistent beans in the Wimmera. This crop walk moves to a new demonstration site, with paddock-scale strip trials testing fungicide and trace element strategies for disease and nutrition management.

Facilitated by Matthew Sparke, Sparke Agricultural & Associates, with expertise from:

• Dr Jason Brand, Director, Gem Agronomy

• Dr Josh Fanning, Research Leader, Plant Pathology, Agriculture Victoria

• Stuart Ockerby, Territory Manager, South Eastern Australia, Seednet.

We’ll discuss disease management, nutrition and trace element performance, soil amelioration, yield potential for the season, new varieties FBA Barmah (PBR) & FBA Coorong (PBR).

Your legacy, their future: success with succession planning – Elmhurst

When: Tuesday 6 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Where: Elmhurst Golf Club, Golf Course Road, Elmhurst Join this 1-day workshop in Elmhurst to learn how to plan for the future of your farm business.

The workshop is presented by Dr Kate Burke, an independent consultant who works with farm families on business planning and succession. Kate has extensive experience helping people identify what matters most to them and plan for the future.

During the workshop, Kate will help participants:

• understand the key factors that support successful farm succession

• identify common challenges and how to avoid them

• discuss ways to keep the farm business strong and viable

• explore how to support family relationships through the succession process

• plan for the long-term future of the farm and the people involved.

This workshop is suitable for farm business owners and family members who want to start thinking about succession or are already planning for a transition.

Save the date: Wimmera Pulse Field Day

When: Wednesday 28 October, 9 am – 12 pm

Where: 75 Hempills Road, Minyip

Cost: Free

The Wimmera Pulse Field Day is an annual regional showcase hosted by Agriculture Victoria and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). Gain practical insights into current research and how it can be used in on-farm decision making.

Topics will include:

• Pulse agronomy

• Pulse breeding

• Nutrition management

• Nitrogen fixation research

The morning will conclude with a barbecue lunch and an opportunity to network with fellow agronomists, researchers and industry representatives.

This event is free however registrations are essential for catering purposes.

Tickets available via TryBooking

Farm office efficiencies workshops

Colac: Tuesday 27 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Where: DEECA Office, 83-85 Gellibrand Street, Colac

Skipton: Wednesday 28 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Where: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, Geelong Road, Skipton

Goroke: Thursday 29 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Where: Goroke Community Complex, 85 Main Street, Goroke

Cost: Free

This workshop will help you improve your farm office systems and make better use of your accounting software. Bring your laptop and work through practical examples using your own records or a demonstration program. This workshop covers accounting software skills, including:

• emailing invoices

• attaching statements to line items

• using Hubdoc and Dext

• processing batch payments

• using rules and knowing when they are appropriate

• reconciling accounts

• tracking inventory such as fuel, grain and livestock

• creating and using custom reports.

You will also learn practical ways to better manage emails, receipts, paper records and cloud-based storage.

Note: Skipton and Goroke workshops are both fully booked