Thursday 5 February 2026

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

Has your farm been impacted by recent bushfires? 

The Victorian Government has recently announced 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, including: 

• engaging a tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises or equipment; 
• hiring and leasing equipment, or purchasing materials to clean a property, premises or equipment; 
• purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials that are essential for immediately resuming operation of the primary production enterprise, including pumps and generators; 
• removing and disposing of debris, damaged goods and material, and injured or dead livestock; 
• Other activities as listed in the program guidelines. 

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 4pm 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. 

If you need help working through what support you can get or how to apply, the Rural Financial Counselling Service is available at www.ruralfinance.com.au/grants  

Essential Water Replacement

In a bushfire FFMVic and CFA may need to take water from private property using tankers or aircraft to help put out fires.

If essential water is taken from your property, you can make a request for its replacement via the FFMVic website.

Essential Water is water that is needed for:

• Health of residents and pets
• Health and productivity and stock
• Agricultural and horticultural crops, permanent plantings and intensive industries

Find out more and download the request form from the FFMVic website.

Emergency relief drinking water

Communities in bushfire affected areas and who are not on reticulated (town) water, may be eligible for a tank refill of up to 20,000 litres through the Emergency Relief Drinking Water program.

Your household may be eligible if you are not on reticulated (town) water and rely on tank water for domestic use, and your household tank has been impacted by fires.

Impacts may include that you’ve emptied your tank for fire-fighting purposes, or it may now contain ash or other contaminants.

Further information on the Emergency Relief Drinking Water program can be found on DEECA’s website.

Managing and treating dams in fire affected areas

Farmers in fire affected areas are encouraged to monitor their dams and remove floating debris as soon as possible following heavy or prolonged rain. They should also consider installing sediment traps upstream of their bigger dams.

Following fires, many dams became unusable due to pollution from decomposing organic matter or after being filled with soil, sand, and gravel.

While little can be done in the short term to remove the heavier materials, quick action to remove floating materials can be highly effective in maintaining water quality. Typically, these floating materials consist of ash, charcoal, straw, grass, leaves, and manure. These materials can cause issues for the water supply if they aren’t quickly removed.

Read the full article here.

New videos show how we’re shaping the future of dairy farming 

We’ve released a new 2-part video series that showcases some of the research happening at our Ellinbank SmartFarm. This research is helping Victorian farmers deal with change, improve productivity, and prepare for a climate smart future.  

In the videos, our scientists take you behind the scenes of 2 major research projects:  

• Methane research: Our work trialling and testing new feed additives and different ways of managing livestock to help cows produce less enteric methane.   

• Multi-species pastures: Studying how livestock grazing pastures can stay strong in tough conditions, use less synthetic nitrogen and producing quality feed for cows.  

The video series shows how our research leads to practical, evidence based solutions that work in real-life farming conditions. Watch both videos now on our YouTube channel.  

Helping regional shows thrive and connect communities 

The Victorian Government is helping regional communities showcase the best of Victoria, providing funding to 40 agricultural and pastoral societies to deliver projects that families and visitors can enjoy. 

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced 40 recipients of the 2025 Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program, with a total investment of more than $300,000 – supporting projects that bring communities together and promote Victoria’s agricultural industry. 

Read the media release in full here 

Drought support

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 Gippsland. 

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 045 747.  

Find out more at: www.nexsolutions.org.au  

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. 

Drought Farm Advisory Service

Farmers from across the state have access to two Farm Advisory Service 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.  

Affected by the close of the Solstice Gas Network?

In parts of Victoria starting in 2026, Solstice Energy, a private energy business, will be closing its compressed natural gas (CNG) networks across Victoria. The CNG network is closing in the following towns: 

• Lakes Entrance
• Orbost 

If you are a Solstice Energy customer and need help navigating this transition, with tailored advice and support the Victorian Government has established a Solstice Case Management team. Additionally, eligibility criteria has been eased for impacted Solstice Energy customers to access Solar Homes rebates and Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts. 

Email: solstice.support@deeca.vic.gov.au 

Telephone : 1800 413 137 from anywhere in Australia, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.  

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. 

Visit DEECA online: www.energy.vic.gov.au/solsticesupport 

Consultation begins on new biosecurity strategy implementation plan

Victorians can have their say on implementing the state's Biosecurity Strategy through a new consultation that opened this week.

The Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (the Plan) sets out what everyone can do to reduce the risks and impacts that pests and diseases have on what we value most.

'Biosecurity threats to Victoria such as H5N1 bird flu, red imported fire ants and varroa mite are dynamic. That means we must coordinate our efforts and approach to be constantly learning, flexible and responsive to emerging risks by working together,' said Biosecurity Victoria Acting Executive Director Sharyn Williams.

The Plan outlines key activities, roles and timelines to ensure delivery of actions aligns with the Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria.

Take the dairy accommodation survey

Access to affordable, secure housing is becoming a major barrier to attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in Victoria’s dairy regions.

This is a challenge to the long-term sustainability of the state’s $3 billion dairy industry and the strength of the rural communities that support it.

The Gardiner Foundation has launched a Housing and Accommodation initiative to better understand the scale of the challenge and identify practical solutions.

As part of this work, Gardiner has partnered with Regional Housing Victoria and launched a short survey to gather insights from dairy farmers, processors and community members.

To participate in the survey click on the link below.

• Gippsland sheep farmer fined for animal cruelty 
• Funding for communities to get together in tough times
• On the ground support for fire affected farmers
• Prepare fire-damaged properties ahead of storms

Trees on farms field day - Darriman

When: Tuesday 17 February, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: 3310 South Gippsland Highway, Darriman

Planting trees on farms offers opportunities for farmers to diversify their income through revegetation, carbon benefits, increased agricultural productivity and timber supply.

Speakers

• Forestry expert Tim Fowler from Heartwood Unlimited will talk about plantation management and how his agroforestry company works with landholders to plant and protect trees on farm.
• Callam Reynolds from Maffra and Districts Landcare Network will explain how the Victorian Trees on Farms Program works and the funding opportunities available for landholders.

Lunch will be provided – Please register to RSVP.

Trees on farms field day - Torwood

When: Tuesday 24 February, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Where: 585 Torwood-Topiram Rd, Torwood

Planting trees on farms offers opportunities for farmers to diversify their income through revegetation, carbon benefits, increased agricultural productivity, and timber supply.

This event will include a site visit to a 14-year-old hardwood plantation within a sheep and wool enterprise and will showcase mid-rotation machine thinning operation.

Speakers

• Bob Gray, sheep and wool farmer, will share his experiences establishing a hardwood agroforestry system in wet, steep country and what he’s learned over 14 years.
• Callam Reynolds from Maffra and Districts Landcare Network will explain how farmers can apply for funding under the Victorian Trees on Farms Program.

Lunch will follow the presentations. Please register to RSVP.

Online Farm Business Resilience Program

When: Wednesday 25 February, 12-2:30 pm
Where: Online

The online Farm Business Resilience Program is supporting farmers to build on their knowledge and skills, strengthening their farm business to better manage the risks associated with a variable climate.

Facilitated by farm business consultants Rural People Co., this free online short course runs over 6 weeks, covering 5 modules:

• Module 1: Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals (25 February)
• Module 2: Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making (4 March)
• Module 3: Climate risk and natural resource management (11 March)
• Module 4: Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety (18 March)
• Module 5: Business planning (1 April)

The program includes a one-on-one session, to be held between Module 4 and 5, to review business plans. Participants are expected to attend all 5 online sessions.

Future-proof your family farm business

When: 25-26 March, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Sale Greyhound Club, Sale Showgrounds, Maffra–Sale Road, Sale

Farmers are invited to participate in a 2-day workshop to help ‘future-proof’ your family farm business with adaptive planning skills.

Develop practical strategies to manage climate risk, build resilience and shape a stronger, more adaptable business.

Presenter Dr Kate Burke is an agri-strategist and educator with extensive experience across technical, commercial and people-focused aspects of farming. Kate provides insights into crucial farm success factors, including:

• managing climate variability and uncertainty
• optimising productivity
• farm financial performance
• people, leadership and succession.

Participants will:

• work out what's most important to them
• understand the productivity, people and profit components of their business
• identify strategies for balancing growth and risk
• prioritise and plan.

Participants are eligible to review their business plans post this workshop in a one-on-one session with Kate.

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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