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Thursday 5 February 2026
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 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 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.
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/
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 at DEECA’s website: www.water.vic.gov.au/about-us/news/news-stories/emergency-relief-drinking-water-2026
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.
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 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.
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 2 Farm 1-on-1 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.
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.
- Multispecies 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.
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:
- Loddon Mallee: Marong, Heathcote, Swan Hill, Maldon, Robinvale, Kerang
- Hume: Nathalia.
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
What's On
Farm Office Efficiencies Workshops
When: 9 February, 9 am - 3 pm
Where: Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex, Recreation Road, Murrayville.
When: 12 February, 9 am - 3 pm
Where: Barook Senior Citizens, room 2, Station Street, Koondrook.
Delivered by Carmen Quade from Agri Focused, a rural based training and business, this workshop has 2 components:
Xero
- Emailing invoices to Xero
- Attaching statements to line items
- Hubdoc and Dext Demo
- Batch payment
- Rules – when to use when not to use
- Reconciling
- Using items to track inventory (fuel, grain, livestock etc.)
- Reporting using custom reports.
Office efficiencies
- Setting up emails
- Managing receipts
- Dealing with paper records
- Cloud bases storage
- Strategies for keeping up to date.
Designing and building a profitable feedlot
When: 11 February, 9 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Piangil Community Centre, 8 Beveridge Street, Piangil
Join us for 3 workshops (February, March and June 2026) where Elders Senior Livestock Production Advisor Rob Inglis will present key aspects of sheep production and offer practical advice on setting up or restarting a feedlotting enterprise.
Workshop 1 - Designing and Building a Profitable Feedlot
Topics:
• Why feedlot sheep
• Regulations and site suitability
• Design principles and infrastructure options
• Feed storage and delivery systems
• Practical planning and layout
• Setup costs and cost breakdown exercise
• Group cost-analysis activity.
Soil test interpretation workshop with Declan McDonald
Date and time: Wednesday 11 February from 9:30 am - 3 pm
Location: Molyullah Hall, 115 Centre Road, Molyullah
The workshop will cover:
- how to read your soil test
- an in-paddock soil assessment
- how soil chemistry supports living soil
- management practices to enhance soil function
- specific actions for your paddocks.
Presenter
Declan McDonald is a certified practising soil scientist with 30 years experience in soil management. With qualifications in agriculture and climate change, Declan is well placed to understand the complex interactions between living soils, plants and climate change.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Please register to RSVP.
Narrow orchard system showcase - Tatura SmartFarm
Interested in the future of high-density orchards? 🍎🍐 Join us at the Tatura SmartFarm for a field walk and demonstrations showcasing the latest in our Narrow Orchard System research.
This showcase is ideal for growers looking for the latest insights into experimental and orchard design and implementation.
- 📅 Thursday 12 February
- 🕙 8:30 am – 10:30 am
- 📍 Tatura SmartFarm, 255 Ferguson Road, Tatura
🔗 Visit https://forms.office.com/r/NyFZrhrTYQ to register.
GRDC Grains Research Update, online: After the fire – management and actions to consider
Date and time: Friday 13 February 1- 1:45 pm
Presenters: Matthew Sparke, Sparke Ag, Victoria and Andrew Barr, grain grower, Pinery SA.
This summer has so far seen intense wildfires in several grain growing regions. Matthew will provide guidance around actions such as protecting soil, ground cover and setting up for 2026 crops on burnt paddocks. Andrew will share his own experience and lessons in recovering from the devastating Pinery fires of November 2015.
Soil constraints and nutrition with Dr Cass Schefe
Date and time: Wednesday 18 February from 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Unlock the full potential of your paddocks by understanding and managing soil constraints and fertility. This webinar will equip farmers with practical strategies to improve soil health, boost crop performance, and make more informed input decisions, leading to optimised yields and improved emissions intensity.
Meet the presenter
Dr Cass Schefe is a highly qualified soil scientist and leading expert in farm emissions. Cass has been working with farmers across Australia to understand their emissions profile and implement practice change that boosts productivity while reducing emissions.
Topics include:
- Identifying and addressing common constraints in Wimmera soils
- Maintaining system fertility - not just nitrogen
- Maintaining soil carbon
- Soil moisture for the season ahead.
Productivity options in agriculture to improve profitability and sustainability
Date and time: Wednesday 18 February from 10 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Bonegilla CFA shed. Hosted by Better Beef network
Presenter: Cam Nicholson
This practical day will focus on a small number of high-impact levers that can help farm managers make the most of their resources. Topics will include grazing system design, improving animal fertility, optimising turn-off timing, emissions reductions and strategies to boost overall herd performance.
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.
Partnering in nature-based investment for resilient communities
When: Thursday 26 February, 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Where: The Glasshouse, Benalla Lakeside Community Centre, Benalla Showgrounds, Maud Street, Benalla
The forum will consist of 2 sessions:
- Session 1: hear examples and case studies of localised nature-based offset markets already happening in Victoria.
- Session 2: a facilitated discussion and workshop to create the framework for future partnerships.
An introduction to carbon offsetting will also be included, so that everyone can fully participate on the day.
Interested staff, executives and councillors from metropolitan and regional councils, and partner agencies, are warmly invited to attend.
Please register to assist with catering. Refreshments and lunch provided.
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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