Agriculture Victoria is urging growers in the state’s south west to monitor black field crickets, as dry and warm autumn conditions continue to support activity across the region.

The Victorian Farmers Federation is calling on the Victorian Government to remove dingoes from the state’s threatened species protections, following the release of new genetic research into dingo populations across south-eastern Australia.

Victorian authorities have confirmed the detection of Varroa mites resistant to pyrethroid chemical treatments in the state’s north-east, raising further concerns for Australia’s beekeeping sector.

Authorities in South Australia and Victoria are urging producers to remain alert as Australian plague locust activity increases following widespread summer rainfall.

The Victorian Farmers Federation has welcomed the State Government’s decision not to cap firearm ownership by primary producers as part of a broader overhaul of the state’s gun laws. The changes follow the Rapid Review into Victoria’s Firearm Laws, which led the Government to accept 15 of 16 recommendations aimed at strengthening regulation and community safety.

A grapevine virus known to affect plant growth and fruit quality has been detected in Australia for the first time. The Grapevine Berry Inner Necrosis Virus has been identified in vineyards in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. Authorities say the virus has been found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic vines, with the full extent of its spread not yet known.

Victoria’s official fire danger period will end at midnight on April 30, with the final restrictions lifting in Glenelg Shire.

Concerns are being raised that new road repair funding in Victoria will do little to address the worsening condition of regional transport networks. The Victorian Farmers Federation says the state government’s one-billion-dollar commitment largely keeps pace with inflation rather than tackling a growing maintenance backlog.

Dairy farmers across South Australia and Victoria are shelving infrastructure projects as the cost of poly and PVC piping surges by up to 60 per cent. The increases, driven largely by rising global oil prices, are placing additional strain on producers already managing drought and broader inflation pressures.

A recent fire at a Victorian refinery has renewed concerns about Australia’s fuel security, with Grain Producers Australia warning it highlights ongoing exposure in key supply chains.

Beef producers in Victoria’s west are being invited to take part in a practical on-farm pasture walk near Ballarat next month. The Ballarat BetterBeef Group will host the session on Wednesday, May 6, across two properties at Mount Mercer and Mount Wallace.

Australia’s peak farming bodies have united on the banks of the Murray River, calling on the Federal Government to abandon further water buybacks and commit to what they describe as smarter Basin management.

A national charity supporting rural and regional students says Australia’s persistent education divide is continuing to create major barriers for young people pursuing further study after school.

Mallee growers will have the opportunity to hear the latest research and agronomy insights this month, as Mallee Sustainable Farming launches its 2026 Research Update series. Running from late February through to mid-March, the program will deliver nine events across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

The Victorian Farmers Federation has unveiled seven priority areas it wants addressed in the upcoming Victorian State Budget, arguing strategic investment will strengthen agriculture’s role in the state economy.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has launched a multi-state compliance operation targeting heavy vehicles transporting grapes, after nearly 40 per cent of intercepted vehicles were found to be non-compliant last season.

The Victorian Farmers Federation is asking producers to report problems with public standpipes and stock watering points, as ongoing dry conditions and limited water access continue to challenge farm operations across the state.

Victorian farmers recovering from recent bushfires are being encouraged to carefully consider their options before beginning re-fencing works. Agriculture Victoria says the fires have caused widespread damage to farm infrastructure, including fences, sheds and water systems, placing significant strain on affected farming families.

Livestock producers in fire-affected parts of Victoria are reporting a spike in wild dog attacks, with bushfires having destroyed critical farm infrastructure designed to keep predators out.

Regional roads in Victoria are continuing to deteriorate, with new figures reported in the Herald Sun revealing potholes have increased by as much as 178 per cent in western parts of the state. Victorian Farmers Federation President Brett Hosking says the worsening road conditions are a serious safety hazard and a significant economic burden for local communities.