Agriculture Victoria

Representing agriculture, biosecurity, regulation and compliance within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, @DEECA_Vic.

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

Emergency relief payments are now available for eligible people impacted by the bushfires.

If you have immediate relief needs, check the VicEmergency website to see if you are eligible 👉 https://t.co/k8rj16QW4y

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

We are calling Property Identification Code (PIC) holders today to undertake initial agricultural impact assessments from the current fire situation in the North East.

If your property has been impacted and you have urgent animal welfare needs, please call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

Fire conditions remain dangerous. Our staff will access fire-affected areas as soon as it is safe to do so.

Stay up to date with warnings and incidents via VicEmergency https://t.co/HOZRjupK99

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🔥 Don’t be caught short on a bad fire day.
⛽ Check your pumps & generators including pull cords, your petrol supply and your hoses – and be prepared in case you need to use them.
#FarmFirePreparedness #FarmFireSafety
https://t.co/vpbmP9xdtl

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🐝 With climate change making weather patterns unpredictable, planning can be challenging.

In this episode, third generation beekeeper, Richard Collins, shares his tips on planning for the unexpected and future climate risks.

🎧 Listen now to discover more about his experience in dealing with climate variability and risks: https://t.co/Ps9sRRprec

#Adaptingtotheseasons

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

Farms are homes as well as workplaces. With school finishing for the year this week, keep #FarmingSafeandWell by making sure children are safe around the farm these school holidays.
Keep yourself, your family, and your workers safe and well – know how to manage the risks.  

Visit @KidsafeVic for resources on keeping children safe around farms: https://t.co/RurN5zsQQL

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

We now have a dedicated webpage for Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) market access arrangements. We’re helping growers navigate new requirements for moving TPP host or carrier plants and produce interstate.

The new page shows:
• Carrier and host produce lists to check if your produce is impacted
• Market access arrangements and requirements for each state
• Host type requirements and key accreditation steps
• Arrangements under development
• Alternative market access options for businesses not accredited.

TPP attacks crops like tomatoes and potatoes. Report if you suspect 1800 084 881.
It’s essential to stay updated as conditions and accreditation options evolve.
👉 Link: https://t.co/f2zjseTQ5X

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🐄 Tips for keeping your dairy herd cool as the summer heat kicks in.
☀️ On high heat days:
• ensure your cows have access to shade and water in the paddock and in the yard
• consider delaying afternoon milking until after 5 pm and as the day cools down.

For more information, review the Cool Cows booklet on the @Dairy_Australia website at https://t.co/ksj5T7QJp4

#AnimalWelfare #FarmFireSafety

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

☀️ Extreme temperatures are expected over the coming days across parts of the state.
🐃 Ensure your animals have access to sufficient shade and lots of cool water to avoid heat stress.
❗ Stay safe and follow @vicemergency for updates.

#FarmFireSafety #FarmFirePreparedness #AnimalWelfare

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🚜 Farm tasks feel endless, leaving little time for planning big decisions.

In this episode, we are joined by Peter Brown, a beef farmer from East Gippsland and Paul Blackshaw, a Farm Business Consultant from Meridian Agriculture, who discuss the importance of setting a strategic direction when planning for your farm.

🎧 Listen now to learn more about how planning is fundamental for your farm’s success: https://t.co/mL6SzpNlNA

#Adaptingtotheseasons

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

Watch this video to see how artificial intelligence (AI) might transform plant breeding.

Nivin Goonesekera, a PhD student with our Higher Education Program, is developing a custom designed tool called Gingerbread using AI to help breeders and researchers view the Horsham SmartFarm’s Australian Grains Genebank’s database like a world map.

This tool will help breeders and researchers narrow down necessary data much quicker than before to help advance plant breeding and develop more resilient varieties.

Nivin is jointly supervised by Agriculture Victoria Research and La Trobe University, and his thesis is titled ‘Seeing is Believing: Visualising the Australian Grains Genebank’.

Learn more about our Higher Education Program and careers in research here: https://t.co/h0ZO4hc2Az

#Agribio #SmartFarms #HorshamSmartFarm #AustralianGrainsGenebank #AGG #Genebank #AI #AgTech #Innovation #AgTwitter @theGRDC @latrobe

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

💧 As we approach increased wet and humid weather conditions, it’s important to take proactive steps to reduce health risks to your cattle.

🐄 Infectious diseases, parasites and decreased water quality are just some of the risks to cattle that can increase during wet and humid weather.

Regular monitoring and record-keeping are integral to protecting your cattle from disease.

👉 You can read more about what you can do to protect your cattle here: https://t.co/uxpBUocCGa

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

#FarmingSafeandWell tip of the week – make sure you and your workers are operating side-by-side vehicles safely and responsibly.

More fatalities occurred due to side-by-side vehicle accidents in 2024 than quad bikes.

Visit @WorkSafe_Vic for guidance on how to stay safe while operating side-by-side vehicles: https://t.co/gzLnjGPNwo

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🐄 New regulations for Australia’s national ruminant feed ban came into effect in Victoria last week.

These regulations continue to protect animal and human health from mad cow disease.

What this means for Victorian livestock producers:

✅Read the label to ensure your feed does not contain Restricted Animal Material (RAM)
✅Thoroughly clean your machinery of all RAM to prevent cross contamination of ruminant feeds
✅Ensure your stock do not have access to feed containing RAM
✅Keep records of your purchases and Commodity Vendor Declaration for each purchase

‼️ Heavy penalties can apply for non-compliance.

For more information on Australia's ruminant feed ban visit https://t.co/BSqjO5R3Tw

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

❓ What’s in your fire preparedness plan this season?

🫖 If you missed our recent webinar, make yourself a cuppa and take some time to listen. Kylie Macreadie discusses key preparedness activities and the tools and templates you can use to plan ahead.

🎤 Farmers who have been impacted by fire also share stories and insights of putting their plans into action. Hear from:
• Rob Pelletier and Kate Blood, horticulture business owners, Beaufort Victoria
• Doug and Jan James, livestock producers, Bungeet Victoria
Listen here: https://t.co/YBDXNmkFEA

📗 Get your copy of the Fire Preparedness Toolkit and start planning today: https://t.co/VaT7MRIRLy

#FarmFirePreparedness #FarmFireSafety @VicFarmers

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

👉 Join us in delivering the next phase of our drought technical decision-making group events program.

🚜 We’re seeking applications from service providers across the state – agronomists, farm business planners, veterinarians, to name a few – to deliver local group-based events in 2026.

🖥️ If you missed our recent webinar about the program, you can catch up with it on Zoom at https://t.co/5mvqwirSCX Use the passcode: e3RYvb

📆 Applications are open until 11.59 pm on Sunday 21 December.

✍️ For more information and application forms visit https://t.co/vxE699nffz

#DroughtSupport #DrySeasons

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🌱 Subsoil amelioration improves water infiltration and moisture storage to depth.

In this episode, we are joined by Chris Smith who runs a mixed farming enterprise west of Horsham and is on a mission to improve the soil on his property through subsoiling.

🎧 Listen now to hear his insights on the benefits and challenges of improving soil health: https://t.co/8gJpWj4puA

#Adaptingtotheseasons

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

Don’t wait until a ‘bad’ fire day to discover if your fire plan is enough.

Get your copy of the Fire Preparedness Toolkit and start planning today: https://t.co/VaT7MRIRLy or request a hard copy at [email protected]

#FarmFirePreparedness #FarmFireSafety

https://t.co/oRi7p8Bhdr

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) wellbeing counsellor role in the south west will continue through to 31 December 2026, offering a free, confidential and independent service to farmers 🤠

RFCS wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line.

👉Wellbeing counsellors are also available in the north east, north west and Gippsland.

To speak to a rural financial counsellor today, call 1300 771 741.

Find out more at https://t.co/w6yFQcBb6d

#DroughtSupport #DrySeasons

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

Wednesday 3 December was International Day of Persons with disabilities. People living with disability make valuable contributions to agriculture every day, and with the right tools and mindset, we can help to make farming more accessible.

Visit @AbilityAg_ and take a look at their new resources that aim to break down barriers and provide support to create accessible workplaces.

https://t.co/Yl02zDBxtC

#FarmingSafeandWell

[Agriculture Victoria @VicGovAg]

🚜Taking care of yourself in tough times is as important as taking care of the farm.

🫂Along with family and friends, there are wellbeing and mental health services and resources available in the community to help you manage stress, including:

🔹National Centre for Farmer Health: https://t.co/R2zogDIcdc
🔹Flying Doctor Wellbeing: https://t.co/TS5xC5sWgb
🔹Rural Financial Counselling Service wellbeing support: https://t.co/w6yFQcBb6d
🔹Lifeline: call 131 144
🔹Beyond Blue: call 1300 224 636
🔹Rural Aid: call 1300 327 624

#DroughtSupport #DrySeasons