$15m investment in Vic biosecurity projects

Victorian Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has announced $15 million for 22 projects that will strengthen the state’s biosecurity and safeguard its livestock industries as part of the 2025 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program.

The program supports projects that help prevent, monitor and control diseases in animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, swine and honey bees.

”Biosecurity risks are constantly changing and the Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program helps industry get ahead of emerging challenges — safeguarding our livestock industries,” Spence said.

Veterinary Support Services will use the government’s investment of more than $102,000 to pilot FarmVet Connect — a new program giving early-career vets a year working alongside beef and dairy farmers. These placements will allow them to build rural networks and relationships, and support veterinary and agriculture industry education and support.

Producers will play an active role, sharing insights from their own operations and welcoming vets into discussion groups, industry events and social events. Up to 12 veterinarians in regional clinics will be matched with at least two local producers.

“FarmVet Connect will help early-career vets jumpstart their on-farm understanding and knowledge, while getting the benefits of relationship building and collaboration from proven producers,” Spence said.

The Victorian Apiarists Association will use its combined funding of more than $205,000 to educate and inform beekeepers on the biosecurity risks posed by the varroa mite, and for a research program to ensure the state retains healthy ironbark forests into the future.

The Victorian Farmers Federation will use its grants of more than $1,660,000 to extend its Stock Sense program, helping the program reach peri-urban areas and ensure owners and hobby farmers know how to keep their animals healthy. Stock Sense works with local communities to raise awareness of biosecurity issues and preventative measures through educational workshops, webinars and resources.

Agriculture Victoria and the state’s livestock advisory committees developed the grant program, which is funded through duties generated by the sale of cattle, sheep, goat and pigs and their carcasses in Victoria, as well as beekeeper registration fees.

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