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Thursday 19 March 2026
Help at hand for farmers recovering after fires
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging bushfire affected farmers to access recovery support as it passes two months since the blazes brought significant impacts to agriculture and communities.
Agriculture Recovery Manager Sarah Wallis said farmers are navigating short, medium and long term recovery, and Agriculture Victoria staff are here every step of the way.
‘We know that all farming businesses are unique and recovery will depend on many factors and occur at different paces. We want to remind farmers that support is available.
Got root knot nematodes in your horticulture crops?
Pictured: guava root knot nematode under the microscope (left) and external signs on fruit and vegetables (right)
Agriculture Victoria is offering free assessments of fruit and vegetable samples for guava root knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) to horticulture producers in an effort to rule out the presence of this highly pathogenic nematode species in Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Diagnostician Chantelle Girgan said guava root knot nematode (GRKN), a plant-parasitic roundworm, is a concern for horticulture producers because of its rapid spread globally.
Relief payments available to assist with household costs
Household Relief payments of up to $1,000 are available for farmers, farm employees and farming contractors in the south west Local Government Areas and parts of West Wimmera Shire.
These payments are there to help you with household costs, like groceries, school expenses, utilities, rates and other incidentals.
Landcare Grant applications now open
Pictured: Landcare grants are open to support Landcare and environmental volunteer groups and networks to protect and restore the Victorian landscape
Applications are now open for Landcare Grants to help fund projects making a difference to enhance and protect Victoria’s great outdoors.
Landcare and environmental volunteer groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 for projects and $500 for support.
Applications close on 23 April 2026.
BestWool/BestLamb Conferences back in 2026
After last year’s successful roadshow, the BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences return to The Goods Shed in Ballarat on 23 and 24 June.
There’ll be two full days of insights, innovations and practical take home messages for sheep and cattle producers across Victoria – and a combined industry dinner at the end of day 1.
Pop it in your diary now for June.
Bushfire information
Following a bushfire there is a lot to consider when it comes to caring for livestock and getting your farm back on track.
To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery, a range of practical technical information and advice is available on our website.
You can also speak to an Agriculture Recovery team member on 136 186 or by contacting recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants and Concessional Loans
Has your farm been impacted by recent bushfires?
The Victorian Government has measures to support Victorian primary producers affected by the January 2026 bushfires.
You may be eligible for a recovery grant or a concessional loan to help with cleanup, restoration and rebuilding. A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
When applying for a grant or loan, it’s important that you don’t self-assess and if you’re unsure of your eligibility, contact Rural Finance with any questions.
Applications are now open and will close at 4 pm on 21 October 2026.
You can check your eligibility via Rural Finance www.ruralfinance.com.au or call them on 1800 260 425 with any questions.
Farm Drought Support Grants
Pictured: The grant covers activities like constructing new or upgrading existing feed systems - feed pads or feed troughs
Use a Farm Drought Support Grant to make on-farm infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as grain feeders, troughs, pasture restoration, stock containment areas, and more.
Farmers in south west Victoria can access $10,000.
Wellbeing counsellors
Wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with experienced financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line.
Providing practical strategies and helping you to tailor them to your specific circumstances, across the north and south west.
Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with:
✔ Managing stress
✔ Building resilience for tough times
✔ Balancing work and life with practical tools
✔ Getting support for big decisions and life changes.
To speak to a Wellbeing Counsellor call 1300 735 578.
Find out more at wswrcs.com.au/
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Farm Advisory Service
Farmers from across the state have access to 2 one-on-one consultations with a technical specialist.
Specialist consultants include agronomists, veterinarians, animal nutritionists, business advisors and farm planners, with expertise across dairy, beef, sheep and wool, horticulture and cropping.
For further drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Look Over the Farm Gate applications open
In response to the bushfires and ongoing drought, Look Over the Farm Gate applications are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government. For further drought support visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
For more information on bushfire support, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or call 136 186.
When: Friday 20 March, 4–5 pm
Where: online
Cost: free
In this series of online tutorials, multispecies pasture specialist Jade Killoran will discuss the establishment and management of your multispecies pastures.
Each tutorial will focus on a topic essential for the success of your multispecies pasture:
- Friday 20 March: Paddock Preparation
- Monday 23 March: Grazing Management
- Thursday 26 March: Monitoring Tools
Jade's presentation will be followed by time for you to ask questions and to workshop your paddock plans for an autumn multispecies pasture.
Mount Mercer Pasture Recovery and Plant Identification Workshop and BBQ
When: Tuesday 24 March, 10 am – 12:30 pm with BBQ after
Where: Mt Mercer Fire Station (CFA), 745 Shelford - Mt Mercer Rd Mount Mercer
Cost: Free
Are you wondering how your pastures will recover after fire or drought? Join Lisa Miller (Southern Farming Systems) and Neil James (Agriculture Victoria) for a morning workshop on pasture and plant identification, as well as a discussion on how pasture recovers and management options.
Free event, please register for catering purposes.
ISCC market readiness and risk awareness
When: Tuesday 24 March, 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: Bull and Mouth Hotel, 83 Wilson St Horsham
Don't miss out on your chance to update your knowledge on ISCC at these FREE information dinners.
- Take out the guesswork and get the latest ISCC information.
- Connect with industry and market representatives and growers from your local area.
- Discover how you can take the headache out of getting ISCC ready.
The ISCC market readiness and awareness project is an investment of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). It is led by Pinion Advisory in collaboration with Grain Producers SA (GPSA).
Farmer's Day Out
When: Wednesday 25 March, 9:30 am – 5 pm
Where: Ballarat Showgrounds, 6 Rose Hill Rd Mount Rowan
This event will provide farmers with an action-packed day full of workshops, stalls, and networking to enhance their capacity to run a profitable business.
The day is a chance to come together with others in the industry and build connections. Food featuring growers and producers from the Central Highlands region will be available to purchase throughout the day.
Partnerships Against Pests grants program - Round 5 webinar
When: Friday 27 March, 11 am – 12 pm
Where: online
Have you got an idea to help your community to tackle established invasive species in your area? The Partnerships Against Pests grants program can help you turn that idea into on-ground action, with grants of up to $50,000 for 12-month projects that build local capacity to manage established weeds and pest animals.
Round 5 is open to groups and organisations working at state, regional and local levels who are ready to make a difference in established invasive species management.
Planting trees for carbon sequestration
When: Saturday 28 March, 1–4 pm
Where: Irrewillipe (address provided on RSVP)
Join Angus Donaldson, sustainability advisor with Barwon Water, for a site visit and presentation about Barwon Water's offset program.
The presentation will include a discussion of two Environmental Plantings projects, with insights into their assessment, design, and delivery. Angus will explain the architecture of the national offset scheme, the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme, (ACCU), and provide information on the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) carbon calculator.
RSVP: By Monday 23 March to Mike Robinson-Koss 0448 605 919 or Sarah Brien sarah.brien@ccma.vic.gov.au
When: Tuesday 31 March, 1–2:30 pm
Where: online
Running a farm business in a challenging climate is no small task – but you don’t have to do it alone.
This free webinar is designed for business owners and management teams seeking practical tools, fresh perspective and support to begin planning for a stronger, more sustainable future for their business.
Upskilling agribusinesses for the future
When: Wednesday 1 April 2026, 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Warrnambool Golf Club, Younger St Warrnambool
These sessions are designed to assist agribusinesses to prepare for the unexpected by setting up the business to have the capability and sustainability to navigate challenging situations and prepare for the future.
Come along and hear from McLaren Hunt about what you need to think of with tax planning, preparing for grant opportunities, tax write offs to assist with water and fodder storage.
Contacting Agriculture Victoria
Call 136 186 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call (except for mobiles and public telephones).
If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service at 133 677 or visit the National Relay Service.
All contact points can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us
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