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Food & Fibre Gippsland recently attended the East Gippsland Field Days, held on 10–11 April 2026 at the Bairnsdale Aerodrome, as a proud partner in one of the region’s most important agricultural events.

The Field Days continue to play a vital role in bringing together the East Gippsland farming community, along with industry groups, service providers and regional organisations — creating space for connection, learning and conversation at a grassroots level.

‍Gippsland is known across Australia for its rich agricultural landscape, world‑class dairy, premium beverages, and growing health‑and‑wellness manufacturing sector. As producers in the region continue expanding into value‑added products, consumer-ready goods, and export markets, the need for high‑quality flavour solutions, ingredients, and technical expertise has never been more important. ‍Michaelona Flavours, a Melbourne-based flavour, fragrance, and ingredient specialist, has become a quiet achiever in this space—supporting brands nationwide, including regional innovators, to develop products that stand out in competitive markets.‍

Climate volatility is becoming part of everyday farming life across Gippsland. More frequent droughts, intense rainfall events and ongoing pressure on water security are challenging producers to rethink how they manage one of their most critical assets—water.

Against this backdrop, farmers, Landcare groups and industry representatives came together on 19 March 2026 for South Gippsland Landcare Network’s Greening Dams field day, a hands‑on event exploring practical ways to improve farm water quality, biodiversity and long‑term resilience.

On 12 March 2026, the Gippsland Circular Economy Hub marked a significant milestone—hosting its first fully in-person meeting at the iconic Tinamba Hotel. Delivered by Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) in partnership with Sustainability Victoria (SV), the event brought together passionate changemakers from across the region to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of circular economy action in Gippsland.

Farm World 2026 marked an exciting milestone for Food & Fibre Gippsland, as we officially launched three major initiatives that will shape our work and impact over the coming years: our Strategic Plan 2026–29, our new membership offer, and our refreshed Food & Fibre Gippsland brand.

It was a pleasure to celebrate this moment alongside so many friends, partners and stakeholders, and we extend our sincere thanks to the Gippsland’s Shire Councils, One Gippsland, our Board and Board Observers (TAFE Gippsland and Federation University), Members of Parliament and of course our Members and new Members across our Gippsland’s farming and business community who joined us for our launch, and continue to play such a vital role in supporting our work across the region.

We continue to actively represent our members and the wider agriculture sector through participation in a range of high‑level government and industry forums, ensuring regional perspectives are heard where it matters most.

Over recent months, this has included direct engagement with the Premier and relevant Ministers, participation in Agriculture Victoria sessions, and discussions with DAFF focused on understanding and responding to the impacts of the current international fuel crisis on agriculture, supply chains, and regional food systems.

Food & Fibre Gippsland was proud to attend the Wellington Sustainability Festival in Sale recently, joining community groups, businesses and organisations from across the region to celebrate sustainability, innovation and environmental leadership.

On the 4th March, I had the pleasure of attending the AusVeg International Women’s Day Luncheon, celebrating the incredible contributions women make across the horticulture industry - by Amanda Gould.

As Gippsland farmers continue to face tightening margins and increasingly variable seasons, practical solutions that strengthen both productivity and resilience are more important than ever. On Tuesday 17 February, growers, advisors and industry representatives came together at Yannathan for the Multispecies Pastures and Cover Crops Field Day, hosted by Bass Coast Landcare and Western Port Catchment Landcare, to explore how diversity-driven pasture systems can play a role in meeting these challenges head-on.

In early February, Food & Fibre Gippsland took part in the Cluster Connect March meeting, hosted by the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN). Delivered via a national online forum, the meeting brought together regional cluster leaders to connect, share insights and strengthen collaboration across Australia’s food and fibre sector.

Gippsland farmers are increasingly searching for practical ways to build resilience as they face rising climate volatility, from prolonged dry spells to unpredictable storms and flooding. These pressures, combined with longstanding challenges such as feed gaps, low soil productivity and tight margins, are driving producers to explore new approaches to pasture and land management.

One promising pathway was on full display at Bass Coast Landcare Network’s multi-species pastures field day on 12 February 2026.

Food & Fibre Gippsland representatives Rod Hayes and Merrin Curnow attended the recent REG Committee Meeting & ‘AI in Ag Masterclass’ in San Remo hosted by the Bass Coast Shire Council, gaining first-hand insight into how artificial intelligence can be used as a practical tool to support Gippsland’s farming and agribusiness sectors.

Across Gippsland, our growers work hard to produce the fresh, high‑quality food our region is known for. Yet every year, tonnes of edible produce never make it to market—not because it isn’t nutritious or delicious, but due to size, shape, cosmetic imperfections, oversupply, or market pressures.

Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) has a commitment to sustainability, reducing food waste and strengthening community resilience. For this reason, we are proud to support the important work of Foodbank Victoria and to help connect their team with growers across our region as they expand their innovative GROW program.

Gippsland’s food and fibre sectors are entering one of the most important periods in our region’s history — and Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) is stepping forward with renewed energy, purpose, and confidence.

After months of engagement with stakeholders, thoughtful review, and careful planning, we’re preparing to release our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan — a bold roadmap designed to strengthen our industries, grow our region, and position Gippsland as a national leader in sustainable, innovative food and fibre production.

And we can’t wait to share it with you.

Over recent months, this project has delivered a highly productive and impactful program of activities across Gippsland, with a strong focus on hands-on learning, farmer engagement and improved fodder management. Through a series of well-attended events, local producers have gained increased knowledge, confidence and technical capability in hay and silage production—skills that are increasingly critical under changing seasonal conditions.

Gippsland’s Regional Drought Resilience Plan (GRDRP, the ‘Plan’) continues to provide a coordinated, proactive, and community informed approach to preparing for a future of increasing climate variability. With a clear vision — Gippslanders acting now, to be well prepared for, and capable of managing the known impacts of drought and severe weather — the region is strengthening its long-term resilience through collaboration, innovation and local leadership.

The horticulture sector is adjusting to the unexpected closure of Dicky Bill Australia’s Gippsland operations, with the loss of approximately 182 jobs across its national sites. The closure of the Maffra farm has had a profound impact on local workers, including seasonal, backpacker and PALM scheme employees.

Following the detection of Tomato Potato Psyllid outside the designated Restricted Area in October 2025, Victorian producers moving plants and produce interstate will soon be required to comply with updated market access arrangements. Agriculture Victoria has developed a suite of accreditation procedures to support the movement of host produce, host nursery stock, and carrier produce.

The Pasture 365 Program is a national, long-term research initiative exploring multi-species pasture systems with the aim of providing feed for livestock 365 days a year. In Gippsland, satellite trials are underway at the Ellinbank Research Farm, Gippsland Ag Group’s Bengworden site, and numerous private properties, testing these innovative pasture mixtures in local conditions.

Gippsland is emerging as a leader in the development of an industrial hemp industry, bringing together community, industry, government, and key organisations to explore opportunities for growth. After the inaugural Round Table in September in Tinamba, the work has advanced with an important meeting of minds and interest at the Orbost Hemp Forum this month (November 18-19). Representatives from the Future of Orbost & District Project, Victorian Hemp Association, Australian Hemp Council, and Food & Fibre Gippsland joined forces with local stakeholders to advance collaboration and continue to chart a path forward.

Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) is pleased to share important news about our team structure, designed to strengthen the sector’s resilience and foster ongoing innovation in drought management across Gippsland. This change reflects our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for our food and fibre industry.

50th Anniversary of Lardner Park Steer Trial Showcases Industry Insights and Opportunity

This month Food & Fibre Gippsland’s Brodie Anderson, Project Manager – Resilience and Innovation, and Rod Hayes, Senior Manager – Resilience and Innovation, attended the Lardner Park Beef Field Day, a cornerstone event in Gippsland’s food and fibre calendar on November 14th. The field day this year marked a significant milestone—the 50th anniversary of the Lardner Park Steer Trial.

Opal and European Energy Australia have announced an exciting new collaboration that marks a significant step toward advancing renewable energy and circular economy initiatives in Gippsland. The companies have commenced a feasibility study at Opal’s Maryvale Paper Mill to assess the potential for carbon capture of biogenic CO₂ and its conversion into e-methanol, a sustainable fuel.

We are pleased to share the key outcomes from our Annual General Meeting (AGM), held recently, with our members, our Board and leadership team. The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the past year, celebrate our achievements, and set a clear direction for the year ahead.

Gippsland is exploring a bold new direction for its fibre industry — and industrial hemp is at the heart of it.

In late September, leaders from across government, industry, and community gathered in Tinamba for the inaugural Gippsland Industrial Hemp Roundtable. The event, hosted by the Future of Orbost & District (FoOD) project in partnership with Food and Fibre Gippsland, marked a significant milestone in the region’s journey toward post-timber transition and sustainable economic development.

Food & Fibre Gippsland and GAgG’s joint approach for hosting the Spring Field Day in October was to represents an effective model for revitalising agricultural extension—one that is collaborative, grounded in real-world experience, and focused on profitability and sustainability. The event showcased the power of farmer-led innovation in building drought resilience across the region.

The Gippsland Agricultural Group (GAgG) hosted its highly anticipated Spring Field Day on Thursday 23 October at the Gippsland Research Farm, Bairnsdale Airport. The event brought together farmers, researchers, and industry experts to share practical insights aimed at strengthening drought resilience across the region.

Food & Fibre Gippsland hosted a landmark event in November 2025 that brought together industry leaders, government representatives, and international partners to explore transformative opportunities for Gippsland’s future.

The Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) team recently attended the 2025 Gippsland New Energy Conference (GNEC25), held on 10 and 11 September at the Traralgon Arts Centre, with CEO Simon Johnson and staff, Brodie Anderson, Amanda Gould, and Rod Hayes participating.