October 12th, 2026Northern Ag News
Locust response – current situation
Webinar recording
Missed last week’s webinar on Australian plague locust risk and management?
Farmers and landholders can now watch the recording to learn more about identifying Australian plague locusts, their potential impacts, and management options, along with updates on our monitoring and guidance for the season.
Passcode: Locusts
Seen locusts or signs of locust activity? Report them online. Your report helps us monitor locust populations and support early management efforts across Victoria.
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.
Our on-ground and aerial surveillance continues across the state, and we are working with experts to inform surveillance of at-risk areas, particularly as we move into the spring breeding season for many waterbirds, including the arrival of migratory species.
As H5 bird flu becomes established in wild bird populations in Victoria, our response activities continue to focus on surveillance, public safety and protecting high-risk species.
For birds and wildlife:
• AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment. This helps to avoid disease spread by people.
• RECORD what you see.
Keep pests away from bird feed and housing
Reduce the risk by:
• Storing poultry feed in sealed containers
• Cleaning up feed spills promptly
• Keeping grass and weeds short around coops and runs
• Removing rubbish, unused equipment and other hiding places
• Checking regularly for signs of rodents or other pests
• Using safe pest control where needed
Less food and shelter for pests means less opportunity for disease to spread.
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.
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.
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.
It looks at their research which is helping keep Australia free from exotic pests and protecting citrus growers from damaging plant pathogens.
Drought support
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.
Bushfire recovery
Grants and concessional loans
Farmers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires: you may be eligible for financial support for recovery.
• 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 suffered major asset damage or loss of income.
Grant applications close 4 pm, 21 October.
Farm Business Resilience program
Want practical ideas you can put to work on your farm?
The Farm Business Resilience Program can help you plan and work through practical decisions about production, water, cash flow, people and farm risks.
Learn alongside other farmers and experts and put plans into action that suit your farm.
Rebates to improve digital connectivity for primary producers
The On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 helps primary producers adopt digital technologies that improve productivity and farm safety. Through approved suppliers, eligible producers can access a rebate of up to $20,000 (excluding GST), covering up to 50% of the cost of eligible equipment, including its delivery, installation and training where applicable.
Applications close 5 pm, Thursday 15 October.
RIC loans
RIC low-interest loans support Australian farm businesses involved in the agricultural, horticultural, pastoral, apicultural (beekeeping) or aquacultural industries.
Visit the RIC website for an overview of eligible industries.
Use RIC’s eligibility tools to see if a RIC loan is right for you
Plan ahead for the fire season
The Inquiry into the January 2026 bushfires found that ‘Strategically located water tanks can assist in protecting assets during major fire events, particularly where mains water supplies fail or natural water sources are limited’.
Your plan should include consideration for your water supply failing.
If this happens, then having access to full water tanks in key locations around the farm will help protect your assets.
Elmore Field Days
Are you planning on visiting the Elmore Field Days? Drop in and have a chat with us!
We’ll be there from 6-8 October at site 353 to answer your questions about animal health, invasive pests and weeds, locusts and bird flu and will have plenty of information on hand to assist with drought support too.
Hope to see you there!
What’s On
Success with succession planning
When: Tuesday 6 October, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Elmhurst Golf Club, Golf Course Road, Elmhurst
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.
Presented by Dr Kate Burke, an independent consultant with extensive experience in coaching and facilitating farm business strategy.
Register for Elmhurst on trybooking
Farm Fire Preparedness
When: Monday 5 October 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Where: Molesworth Public Hall, 4364 Goulburn Valley Highway, Molesworth
When: Thursday 8 October, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Osbornes Flat Hall, 315 Osbornes Flat Road, Osbornes Flat
Livestock owners are invited to attend a practical workshop to help prepare their property for bushfires.
Participants will:
• learn key actions to take before, during and after a fire event
• hear expert advice on farm infrastructure, property preparedness, livestock management, business continuity and recovery
• use planning templates and an A3 farm map to support their own bushfire preparedness
• gain additional skills and knowledge needed to help shape future bushfire preparedness workshops and training opportunities.
Places are limited, register by Thursday 1 October.
Register for Molesworth on trybooking
Register for Osbornes Flat on trybooking
Pre-harvest People Check
When: Monday 12 October 7 pm
Where: Online
Join Agriculture Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo for a free webinar with Cath Jenkins from Rural People Co. and discover practical ways to improve communication, accountability and productivity in your workplace.
Perfect for anyone working with employees, contractors or family members this coming harvest.
Register on Zoom
Soils, Pasture and Feed
When: Tuesday 13 October 12:30–3:30 pm
Where: Callamondah, 7909 Maroondah Highway, Merton
Join Aziza Coridas, Agriculture Victoria Agriculture Recovery Officer and Matt Mahoney from Agridome for an informative walk and discussion focusing on pasture recovery and management following bushfire impacts.
A free lunch will also be provided.
Let’s Talk Future Farming – Loddon Region
When: Thursday 15 October 5:30–7:30 pm
Where: Bridgewater Hotel
Farmers, growers and agribusinesses across the Loddon region are invited to a free evening exploring the future of farming.
Hear local stories on virtual fencing, autonomous vehicles, innovation and more.
Register via Humanitix
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.
Register on Microsoft Forms
Your legacy, their future: Success with succession planning
When: Thursday 29 October 9:30 am – 3 pm
Where: Longwood Community Centre, 2A Down Street, Longwood
Planning for the future of your farm business? Join us in Longwood for a free practical workshop designed to help farming families navigate succession planning with confidence.
Presented by Dr Kate Burke, the workshop will explore how effective succession planning can help:
• Protect your family legacy
• Maintain a viable business
• Grow and transfer wealth
• Strengthen family relationships across generations
Participants will develop a succession timeline and identify practical goals to support a successful transition.
Morning tea and lunch provided
Places are limited and registration is essential.
Register on trybooking
Save the date – Wimmera Pulse Field Day
When: Wednesday 28 October from 8:30 am
Where: 75 Hempills Road, Minyip
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 BBQ lunch and an opportunity to network with fellow agronomists, researchers and industry representatives.
This event is free however registrations are essential for catering purposes.
Register on trybooking
GRDC events
• 6 October Wimmera Faba Bean Crop Walk – Vectis
• 8 October FAR Australia VIC Crop Technology Centre Field Day
• 9 October Choosing canola varieties for 2027 | Disease Management Extension Network webinar
• 14 October GRDC Farm Business Update, online – Storage options to keep harvest moving and protect grain quality
• 23 October Grains and Mixed Farming Research Field Day 2026 – Dookie College
• 23 October Net blotch resistance and management: practical insights for 2027 – DMEN webinar
