Articles tagged: Rural
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.
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.
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.
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.
Family welcomes world to Deans Marsh farm
Deans Marsh farmers Andrew and Jill Stewart can’t wait to show off their regenerative farming practices to hundreds of people from across the world this week.
Warning to monitor beehives
A Colac district beekeeper and botanist is reminding beekeepers of the importance of testing and monitoring bee hives, after treatment resistance varroa mites were detected in Australia for the first time.
Network marks major environmental milestone
The Heytesbury District Landcare Network will celebrate 30 years of protecting and improving the local environment this month.
Harnessing sunflower power
Cape Otway resident Shayne Neal is using the power of sunflowers to fund his trip to Europe where he will represent Australia at the 2026 World Ploughing Championship.
Strong return in Colac’s annual heifer meet
Strong demand has led to a price surge at Colac’s annual dairy heifer sale.
Seasonal bounty: Otways horticulture is growing strong
Australia’s horticulture sector has posted record figures, and growers in the Otways are confirming the latest season was a bumper year for their crops.
Trip down memory lane is a hit
Familiar faces have turned out in droves for a fun-filled reunion at Larpent.
