Victoria's peak farming body is calling for greater scrutiny of the state's rapidly expanding data centre sector, warning agriculture must not be overlooked as development accelerates.

The Victorian Farmers Federation says new VicGrid Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines are a welcome acknowledgement of long-standing concerns, but fall well short of providing enforceable protections for landholders affected by renewable energy projects.

In Victoria, farmers affected by the January bushfires are being encouraged to explore the recovery assistance still available to help rebuild their businesses.

Agriculture Victoria is reminding regional dog owners to keep their pets securely contained as the threat posed by roaming dogs to livestock remains an ongoing concern for producers.

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.

The Victorian Farmers Federation says Federal water buybacks are distorting the irrigation market, with family irrigators unable to compete against government and corporate buyers.

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.

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority has welcomed a significant funding injection aimed at strengthening frontline emergency response. The State Government has committed more than 148 million dollars toward new vehicles, upgraded stations and improved equipment over the next decade.

Farmers and regional communities in Victoria's North-West are once again pushing for the state and federal governments to finish the long-delayed Murray Basin Rail project and restore a direct freight link to key ports. Regional advocacy group Ouyen Inc has stepped up its campaign advocating for the project's completion ahead of the November state election, arguing the time is right to prioritise regional infrastructure and address a critical gap in the state’s freight netwo

Drought-affected farming families and workers in Victoria’s south west are being urged to access financial relief, as prolonged dry conditions continue to place pressure on household budgets.

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority is urging farmers to monitor haystacks closely following a spike in fires linked to recent rainfall. The authority says volunteers have been called out to more than 30 incidents involving haystacks since the start of summer, including several in recent weeks.

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging bushfire-affected farmers to access recovery support, as it passes two months since the blazes caused significant damage to agricultural land and regional communities.

A new alliance of farmers, conservationists and community groups is calling for urgent action on invasive species, warning Victoria is falling behind in managing the growing threat.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters have met with farmers and producers in central Victoria to see firsthand the damage left by January’s bushfires.

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.

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.

Farmers in fire-affected areas are being encouraged to closely monitor farm dams following heavy or prolonged rainfall to protect water quality. Agriculture Victoria says many dams have been contaminated by ash, charcoal and organic debris washed in after fires.

Almost $100 million in additional recovery funding has been committed by the Victorian and Federal Governments to support communities and businesses affected by recent bushfires.

As catastrophic bushfires continue across Victoria, the Victorian Farmers Federation has activated its Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate, farmer-led assistance to producers impacted by the fires.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed concerns about the Victorian Government’s planning priorities, following the announcement of a proposed $300 million hot chip processing facility near Horsham - VFF President Brett Hosking told FlowFM in their most recent catch-up.