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Thursday 14 August 2025
Drought support for south west farmers
Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events.
Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events.
Drought support
Helping families make ends meet through the drought
Drought-affected farming families and farm workers in Victoria’s south west are now eligible to apply for payments of up to $1,000 to help with urgent household expenses.
The Household Financial Relief program is being administered by the Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. (CWA), and will help provide much-needed cash flow relief during tough times.
The payments are available to farming families, farm workers and farming contractors in the LGAs of Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, Greater Geelong and some parts of West Wimmera.
To apply for a payment visit cwaofvic.org.au .
Find more information about the Victorian Government’s drought support at: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Farmers who have livestock competing with kangaroos for fodder can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate now.
Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution.
Rebates are to be used to engage professional harvesters (authorised by the Game Management Authority) to control eastern and western grey kangaroos under an Authority To Control Wildlife.
For more information about drought support visit: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Celebrating pathways to participation in Agriculture STEM Research
Hands-on science workshops for Victorian school students are shining a spotlight on the wide range of careers in agricultural research.
In celebration of National Science Week (11-19 August), Agriculture Victoria’s Get into AgSTEM program will launch a new workshop exploring on-farm energy generation and cultivation of plants under solar panels.
Get into AgSTEM is a free curriculum-linked education program delivered by Agriculture Victoria and offered to secondary school students.
Agriculture Victoria Community Education Manager Anna Vietz said the new Energy Ag – Agrivoltaics workshop gives students the chance to use laboratory-scale solar panels and circuitry to generate power.
Private vets needed for future Emergency Animal Disease outbreaks
Agriculture Victoria is looking for private vets to help support future emergency animal disease outbreak response efforts.
Emergency response work for private vets could include:
- investigation of suspect cases.
- in-field surveillance.
- diagnostic sampling.
- euthanasia and vaccination.
Putting your hand up is a great opportunity to share your expertise, learn new skills and help protect Victoria’s agriculture sector. Casual employment and veterinary service contracts are available.
Training and resources
We have a range of online courses tailored for vets available on our website covering different topics, including some that contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
Look over the farm gate event grants
The Look Over the Farm Gate grants help communities come together to promote social connection and support mental health and wellbeing during drought.
The program is coordinated by the National Centre for Farmer Health and is offering grants of up to $5,000 to help local organisations run events that bring together and support farmers, farming families and communities under stress.
To apply for a grant visit farmerhealth.org.au/look-over-the-farm-gate
For information about the Victorian Government’s drought support package visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Employment opportunities for drought affected Ag sector
Farmers, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by the ongoing drought conditions in the south west can now apply to be part of the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program.
The Victorian government funded program, delivered in the Corangamite and Glenelg Hopkins CMA regions, provides meaningful off-farm employment opportunities for people experiencing hardship because of dry conditions – either through reduced hours, profitability or loss of employment – to take on a role with their CMA over the next 12 months.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA CEO Adam Bester said the program enables not only drought affected workers to be employed but gives their usual employers time to get back on their feet.
Check your luggage for stowaways
Spotted a toad in your luggage? It could be an Asian black-spined toad – an invasive species sneaking into Victoria via suitcases and travel gear.
If you're returning home, remember to:
- Check in shoes and bags
- Report any sightings by calling 136 186 or on our website.
Ag Vic Talk season 10
Farming with a disability with Nigel Corish and Josie Clarke
Hear an inspiring story from Nigel Corish, the 2023 Farmer of the Year and Chair of Ability Agriculture.
In this Farming Safe and Well episode, Nigel shares his incredible journey of farming with cerebral palsy, the challenges he's faced, and how he's overcome them.
Plus, hear from Josie Clarke, founder of Ability Agriculture, about her mission to create an inclusive agriculture sector
Listen to this inspiring episode to discover how Nigel and Josie are transforming agriculture through resilience and inclusivity: https://go.vic.gov.au/4m8Qc4I
🎧 Listen now to learn how to recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to improve your mental wellbeing.
In case you missed it 📰
Victorian Trees on Farms Information Session
When: 18-19 August, 2 pm
An introductory session for community members to learn the basics of the Victorian Trees on Farms Program and the Trees on Farms Program.
Program:
- Welcome and Introduction
- Victorian Trees on Farms Program Trees on Farms
- Incubator Program
- How do I apply?
- Q and A
Learn more about the program at agriculture.vic.gov.au/trees-on-farms.
In good times and in bad: adaptive skills for your farming future
When: 18-19 August, 8:30 am — 3 pm
Where: Wonwondah Hall, Wonwondah Hall Road, Wonwondah
When: 21-22 August, 8:30 am — 3 pm
Where: Dunkeld Bowling Club, Memorial Park, Dunkeld
Livestock and grain farmers join us for a 2-day adaptive farming workshop with Think Agri consultant Dr Kate Burke.
Learn valuable strategies to manage your business in the current challenging conditions and how to develop a plan for your farm’s future success.
Topics
- Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
- Identifying opportunities for growth and mitigating risk
- Reviewing key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
- Analysing income versus cost of production
- Evaluating your appetite for risk and production potential
- Scenario planning for 2025 and beyond
Free, morning tea and lunch included, but register early as numbers are limited.
Find more information about available drought support at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
Understanding your farm dams
When: 22 August, 12 noon to 1 pm
Explore dam reliability, catchment size, runoff, and legal requirements.
Free webinar for farmers, advisors, planners & facilitators.
Feral Cat and Fox Management Online Forum
When: 20-21 August, 9 am — 5 pm
The National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program are running two, day-long free online forums dedicated to sharing knowledge on effective fox and feral cat management.
Setting strategies for farm business success
When: 26-27 August, 9 am — 3 pm
Where: Millewa Community Complex, Lake Cullulleraine
When: 28-29 August, 9 am — 3 pm
Where: Ultima Hotel
Join Gavin Beever, Brendan Williams and Dale Grey for a Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success 2-day workshop in Underbool and Lake Cullulleraine.
Topics:
- What an effective business plan is and how to define success
- Cashflow management
- Dealing with downturns
- How to undertake a business fitness check
- Identifying success drivers and benchmarking
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to learn more and register.
Farmer's Night Off
When: Friday 5 September, 5-11 pm
Where: The Logan Pub, 6742 Wimmera Highway, Logan
Join us for a free, in-person session designed to support individuals and farm businesses navigating challenging times. This event brings together practical business advice, financial support options, and wellbeing strategies—all aimed at building resilience.
Topics:
- Business advice and grant guidance from Richard Bales (Dundee Swanwater Consulting)
- Mental health strategies with Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer
- Support from East Wimmera Health Service, Rural Financial Counselling Service, and Authentic Conversations
- Farmer-to-farmer networking
Australasian Seed Science Conference
When: 22 - 25 September
Where: Horsham
ASSC 2025 offers a platform to explore cutting-edge research, share new technologies, and exchange ideas on common scientific, legal, and policy challenges in seed conservation and use.
The program will feature diverse topics including:
- Revitalisation of traditional food systems through Indigenous leadership
- Policy frameworks enabling access to, and sustainable use of, plant genetic resources
- Advances in germinating and conserving hard-to-propagate species
- The role of genomics and digital tools in climate adaptation and crop recovery.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead - and be part of seeding innovation for a more resilient future.
23 September, 9 am - 3 pm GRDC Harvester Set Up Workshop – Horsham
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
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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