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Thursday 2 April 2026
Pictured: bringing fodder into your property can increase the risk of introducing pests and weeds to the property
If purchasing fodder to see the farm through to the autumn break, or build reserves coming into winter, don’t forget to consider the increased risks of introducing pests and weeds to the property.
There are key steps that farmers should follow to minimise the risk of introducing and spreading unwanted weeds and pests.
Support through prolonged drought: Drought Hardship Loan
Pictured: RIC Drought Hardship Loans are available for farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts.
The Australian Government has introduced the RIC Drought Hardship Loan to support farm businesses experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
The loan provides up to $250,000 over 5 years, at the RIC’s concessional interest rate (currently 5.18%), with a 2-year repayment holiday, to help farmers manage essential operating costs and improve cash flow during extended dry conditions.
It is available to eligible farm businesses that have managed through at least 24 months of drought and expect further impacts ahead. The loan complements other drought support and can be accessed alongside state programs.
Australian Government drought support: drought.gov.au
The Bee Pest Blitz is on!
This April, make a bee-line for your hives to check for pests.
Surveillance is key to the early detection of new pests and provides the best chance for industries and governments to respond before pests become established and widespread.
Applications close 11 May for Partnership Against Pests
Pictured: The Partnerships Against Pests grants program aims to improve the capacity of land managers to manage established weeds and pest animals on their land
The final round of the Partnerships Against Pests program is closing soon.
The program helps farmers protect their crops, and livestock pasture from invasive pests, and improve the long-term health of their land.
Applicants can apply for grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 to deliver projects over a 12-month period.
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.
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 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.
Upskilling agribusinesses for the future: managing bills and cashflow
When: Tuesday 14 April, 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Warrnambool Golf Club, Younger St Warrnambool
Cost: free
Come along and hear from McLaren Hunt about what you need to think of when using software to track and pay bills, prepare for payday super, creating budgets and monitoring overdrafts. Session snapshot:
- Using Xero and other software to track and pay creditors
- Are you utilising your software such as xero to its maximum potential?
- Creating budgets using Figured and other cashflow tools
- When will I exceed my overdraft?
- Are you prepared for payday super?
This event is being delivered by McLaren Hunt on behalf of Agriculture Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package.
Succession Planning and Business Growth - Warracknabeal
When: Thursday 16 April, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Warracknabeal (details provided on registration)
Cost: free
Participants will gain awareness of key success factors and principles related to succession planning and wealth creation that will support them in pursuing their goals.
This one day workshop is designed for all farming families, no matter your size or enterprise type.
The workshop will equip participants with clarity on:
- the value and approach to adopting business systems that will enable growth
- the required mindset
- value of
personal development to support emerging generations
Farm Financials for Future Decisions - Longerenong
When: 16-17 April, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Where: Longerenong College Skills Hub, Longerenong Rd, Longerenong
Cost: free
Build the confidence to make long term, strategic decisions about your farm business to manage the impacts of drought, seasonal conditions, and market variabilities.
This two-day workshop incorporates interactive sessions, discussions and practical sessions using your farm financial statements - so you can identify, plan for and manage risks that are relevant to your farm business.
Upskilling agribusinesses for the future: understanding opportunities
When: Wednesday 22 April, 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Warrnambool Golf Club, Younger St Warrnambool
Cost: free
Come and hear from McLaren Hunt about what you need to think of when negotiating your milk price. Session snapshot:
- What is my breakeven milk price
- Milk price negotiations coming up, what milk price do you need?
- How do I know if I am paying the right price for inputs?
With my debt levels am I producing enough to cover costs, drawings, chattel mortgages?
This event is being delivered by McLaren Hunt on behalf of Agriculture Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s statewide Drought Support Package.
Irrigation masterclass
When: Thursday 23 April 2026, 2-5 pm
Where: Fresh Select, 610 Duncans Rd, Werribee South
This hands-on training will provide practical and theoretical training on how to get the most value out of your irrigation system.
Jeremy Giddings has more than 3 decades of irrigation experience and has developed tools to assist farmers understand their sprinkler heads and irrigation efficiency. Jeremy will also addressing related topics such as salinity, cleaning, and wind.
Afternoon tea will be provided. Registration is required for catering purposes.
Travelling Trials Review Day - Kaniva
When: Monday 30 March, 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Kaniva Community Hub, 130 Budjik St, Kaniva
Join Birchip Cropping Group's Dr Yolanda Plowman and Lucy Giles at the Kaniva Travelling Trials Review Day to unpack the latest local BCG research results.
The session will cover topics such as durum trial results, the latest on nitrogen including enhanced efficiency fertilisers, bio-stimulants and pest monitoring, with practical insights for growers and time to discuss how the findings can be applied on farm.
Come along for the latest local updates to improve the productivity and profitability for your farm business.
BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences
When: 23-24 June 2026
Where: The Goods Shed, Ballarat
The BestWool/BestLamb and BetterBeef conferences return to The Goods Shed in Ballarat on 23 and 24 June. There’ll be 2 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.
Early bird tickets are on sale now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1553856
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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