Articles tagged: Rural
Open farm showcases focus lessons
Bostocks Creek farmers Pete and Marnie Kerr are welcoming community members to learn more about their ‘Focus Farm’.
Extended program delivers more trees
Colac district farmers are encouraged to apply for a grant to establish more trees on their properties.
Colac’s yards enjoy strong cattle prices
A typical winter yarding attracted solid competition at Friday morning’s store cattle sale.
Dogs, handlers show off skills at Cressy reserve
Top sheepdogs across the state have put their best foot forward at one of Cressy’s biggest events of the calendar year.
Council set to discuss Irrewarra subdivision
Colac Otway Shire Council officers have recommended rejecting a controversial subdivision permit, warning that creating a lifestyle lot from an Irrewarra farm would permanently fragment the region’s productive agricultural land.
From sheep to the stage: Farmer’s double life
During the day 25-year-old Irrewillipe and Rokewood farmer Lachie Walton can be found working on his family’s sheep farm. But at night, he’s DJing to crowds of hundreds across the region.
Counsellor ready to support farmers in new aid role
Whether it involves walking through a pen of sheep or having a cuppa at the kitchen table, south-west Victoria’s newest Rural Aid counsellor Lawrence Maskill wants the district’s farmers to know she has their back.
Sustainable course welcomes farmers
Farmers across south-west Victoria are invited to apply for a new Resilient Farming Course, offering learning opportunities and skill development to support more informed and sustainable farm management.
Farmer to lead reunited group
Larpent dairy farmer Mark Billing has been elected as vice president of the reunified Victorian Farmers Federation United Dairy Farmers of Victoria.
Ploughmen take out top titles
Three south-west ploughmen have returned home from the 2026 State Ploughing Championships with outstanding results.
Award of lifetime for district dairy
A Cooriemungle dairy business has received a statewide accolade for a lifetime of achievement in the industry.
Local beekeeper earns sweet rewards
Barongarook beekeeper Laurence Towers has seen plenty of changes in his two decades of beekeeping but he still gets plenty of satisfaction from harvesting honey.
Plans help guide crop growers
Agriculture Victoria’s 2026 cereal and pulse disease guides are now available to help Colac and district grain growers make informed decisions on disease management this season.
Drone sprayers must obey rules
With drones increasingly being used for aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals, Agriculture Victoria is urging operators of the remotely piloted aircraft to be aware of the rules to keep people, animals and crops safe.
Real-time soil data benefits district farmers
Colac and district farmers are encouraged to subscribe to Agriculture Victoria’s Soil Moisture Monitoring Cropping Report e-newsletter.
New era but same team
The same friendly faces, the same products and the same quality service from more than 70 years of servicing the region will continue at Swayn and McCabe despite a change in ownership.
Budget praise, body says more needed
Rural advocacy bodies have welcomed elements of the Federal Government’s 2026-27 budget, despite cuts across areas impacting agriculture.
Off-farm work for residents hurt by dry times
South-west farmers, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by ongoing drought conditions are invited to join a new round of an employment program.
Young leaders called to join advisory group
Colac and district emerging leaders across Victoria’s agriculture industry are encouraged to join the next term of the Young Farmers Advisory Council.
Prices ‘outstanding’ at typical store sale
Prices for Angus weaner steers surged at Colac’s latest store cattle sale, with a standout pen reaching $7 a kilogram.
District project supports not-for-profits
Facilitators from Colac, Maryborough and Swan Hill have joined forces to share insights and strategies as part of a rural community program.
Paula continues connections in farming
Former Colac resident and businesswoman Paula Doran says her new role in the agriculture industry comes back to her passion for forming connections and farming.
Bulla payment for additional support
Bulla Dairy Foods has introduced a temporary support payment for its milk suppliers.
Watch burns on farms to protect stock
With fire restrictions lifting across the Colac district, Agriculture Victoria is reminding farmers who are looking to ignite burn piles to be cautious around livestock.
