Thursday 27 November 2025

Farmers can access financial assistance and support today to help manage during drought.  

Our website provides information on available support, including financial counselling, mental health and wellbeing services and links to other organisations that can help.  

You’ll also find practical tools, resources and information to help you plan and manage your feed, water and livestock needs.  

Plus, find out about upcoming events in your region and online www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or by calling 136 186. 

Expanded package announcement

The Victorian Government is increasing support for drought affected farmers and communities with more funding for technical one-on-one support, community events and wellbeing.    

This extension to key drought supports brings the Victorian Government's Drought Support Package to more than $146.5 million.   

Second One-on-ones

With increased support from the Victorian Government, farmers from across the state now have access to a second Farm Advisory Service one-on-one consultation 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.  

Extended RFCS wellbeing counsellor

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) wellbeing counsellor role in the south west will continue through to 31 December 2026, offering a free, confidential and independent service to farmers.  

RFCS wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with financial counsellors to ensure that your mental health receives as much attention as your bottom line.  

To speak to a rural financial counsellor today, call 1300 771 741.   

Find out more at rfcsnetwork.com.au   

Mental health and wellbeing

Taking care of yourself in tough times is as important as taking care of the farm. ​  

Along with family and friends, there are wellbeing and mental health services and resources available in the community to help you manage stress, including:​  

• National Centre for Farmer Health: farmerhealth.org.au/support-hub  
• Flying Doctor Wellbeing: www.flyingdoctor.org.au/vic/what-we-do/wellbeing/ ​  
• Rural Financial Counselling Service wellbeing support: rfcsnetwork.com.au ​  
• Lifeline: call 131 144 ​  
• Beyond Blue: call 1300 224 636 ​  
• Rural Aid: call 1300 327 624  

Household financial relief payments

Household Financial Relief Payments - much-needed cash flow during the tough times. 

Drought-affected farmers, farming families, farm workers and farming contractors in Victoria’s south west are eligible to apply for payments of up to $1,000 to help with urgent household expenses.  

Provided by The Country Women's Association of Victoria. 

To apply for a payment visit cwaofvic.org.au  

On-farm Kangaroo Control Rebate

Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program now.  

The program provides rebates for eligible farmers statewide who hold an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) to hire authorised professional harvesters who have accreditation from the Game Management Authority.  

Eligible farmers across the state can access up to 3 rebates of $450 each (ex-GST) with a 25% co-contribution to help control kangaroos.  

For more information and to apply visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4eRWVxa  

Future Drought Fund – small network and social outcome grants

As part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, 2 grant programs are now open through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

These grants offer funding for community-led projects that bring people together, build local capability and support wellbeing — practical initiatives that can strengthen communities now and into the future. 

What’s available? 

Small network grants – open to eligible groups across rural and remote Australia. Grants of up to $50,000 can support: 

• community events 
• learning and training activities 
• small infrastructure upgrades 
• initiatives that build local capability.

Social outcome grants – for organisations in one of the 50 approved Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) regions.

Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects that: 

• strengthen community networks 
• host events that bring people together 
• run workshops or training 
• upgrade small-scale infrastructure 
• support leadership and personal development.

Why these grants matter 

Connected communities are stronger. No matter where we are in the drought cycle, there are always things we can do to support each other and build social cohesion. These grants can help fund activities that: 

• keep people connected and boost morale 
• share knowledge and skills 
• create safe, welcoming spaces.

Apply now - applications close 11 December 2025. 

• Learn more about the Future Drought Fund Small Network Grants 
• Learn more about the Future Drought Fund Social Outcome Grants 

Round 3 Request for Quotations now open for drought group-based events  

Join us in delivering the next phase of our drought technical decision-making group events program. 

We’re seeking applications from service providers across the state – agronomists, farm business planners and veterinarians to name a few – to deliver local group-based events in 2026. 

Applications are open until 11:59 pm on Sunday 21 December. 

Supporting Victorian growers to maintain market access

Agriculture Victoria is supporting growers moving tomato potato psyllid (TTP) host or carrier plants and plant products interstate to navigate new requirements set to be in place from 8 December 2025.

Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr Rosa Crnov, said new arrangements were in place for businesses to be certified under, following a new detection of tomato potato psyllid outside of the restricted area in Melbourne’s northern suburbs in October.

‘We’re working with the horticulture industry to rapidly implement arrangements to minimise trade disruptions and maintain market access to other states.

‘Restrictions are expected to be in place from Monday 8 December and growers can move their plants and produce interstate if they have the right certifications in place and follow the necessary biosecurity practices.'

Protecting your livestock from anthrax

As we head into the warmer months, it’s important to stay vigilant about the risk of anthrax to your livestock.

Once an animal has died from anthrax, the anthrax spores can leach into and survive in the soil for decades, waiting for the right set of environmental conditions to infect another animal.

‘Anthrax should be considered whenever there is any sudden death of livestock, particularly if blood is seen around the animal’s nose, mouth and anus.

‘At one time veterinarians had to carry a microscope and examine a smear of specially stained blood to rapidly diagnose anthrax.

‘This all changed with the development of pen-side ICT kits (immunochromatographic test), which provide a quick, safe and accurate means of diagnosing or excluding anthrax when investigating cases of sudden death of livestock.’

All private veterinarians who deal with livestock have free access to ICT kits and can investigate sudden deaths through subsidised disease investigations.

Dr Cave said there are several reasons why it is beneficial to know whether an animal has died from anthrax, including:

• Anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can potentially infect humans.
• The best way of stopping further losses due to anthrax is through its early diagnosis and the subsidised vaccination of all at-risk livestock on the property.
• The carcass of an animal which has died of anthrax will remain a source of infection for future outbreaks if it isn’t disposed of correctly through incineration and the decontamination of its death site

If you suspect a case of anthrax, please contact your local veterinarian, or an Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health office.

Real risks posed by prohibited pig feed

Prohibited pig feed (formerly known as swill) is the act of feeding food scraps or food waste that contains meat, or which has been in contact with meat to pigs. 

The feeding of prohibited pig feed to pigs is banned in Australia, as it has been shown to cause outbreaks of serious animal diseases overseas.  

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said regardless of how many pigs anyone keeps, pig owners play a vital role in maintaining the health and welfare of Australia’s livestock. 

‘There are a number of requirements for pig owners that are mandatory and are monitored by state government and industry authorities,’ Mr Bode said. 

‘Pigs are recognised as ‘high risk’ animals playing a potential role in the establishment of a number of exotic diseases that could devastate the agricultural sector and impact on human health. 

Vet Talk – Get smart in you summer drenching program

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

After a year of grazing on shorter-than-usual pastures, many sheep across Victoria are facing higher-than-normal worm burdens. But with summer’s hot and dry conditions around the corner, producers have a timely opportunity to tackle the issue head-on.

It’s time to consider strategic summer drenching, a targeted approach involving effective treatments at the start and end of the season. The goal is to take advantage of the natural destruction of worm larvae on pastures caused by the heat and desiccation of summer.

However, not all sheep may require treatment. Pre-drench faecal egg counts (FECs) will help determine which parts of the flock actually need drenching. This deliberate step helps avoid unnecessary costs and ensures treatments are justified.

Drenching is only effective when done correctly. Using the wrong chemicals or misusing them can reduce their effectiveness and contribute to the development of resistance.

Post-drench FECs are also advisable, to assess how well the treatment worked and to detect any signs of drench resistance, a growing concern in Victoria, particularly with white and clear drenches.

To maximise results, producers should move treated sheep to low-risk pastures. Ideal options include paddocks that have been previously grazed by cattle, cut for hay or silage, or used by older wethers.

Ewes around the time of lambing and recently weaned lambs are especially vulnerable to worm infestations. Without an effective drenching program, reinfestation can occur in as little as 3 weeks.

For more advice, contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health staff.

Reforming ag and veterinary chemicals licensing and fees

Have your say on the proposed changes to agricultural and veterinary chemicals licence and permit frameworks and fees. 

The changes proposed are to: 

• Agricultural Chemical User Permits 
• Commercial Operator Licenses 
• Licence and permit fees and terms, including aerial spraying.   

 Anyone who holds, or is planning to hold any of the following licences or permits may be affected by the proposed changes: 

• Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP) 
• Commercial Operator Licence (COL) 
• Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL) 
• Pilot Chemical Rating Licence (PCRL) 
• permits issued under section 25A of the AVCCOU Act (1080 and PAPP) 
• Agricultural Chemical Control Area Permits.

Consultation closes 2 December.

Drought Employment Program

Are you a farmer, farm worker or agricultural business employee impacted by drought?

Apply now for the CMA Drought Employment Program, which offers meaningful off-farm work opportunities for people experiencing hardship in south west Victoria because of dry conditions.

At least 5 roles are available in the Corangamite CMA region including:

• a Project Support Officer (works coordinator)
• a Conservation and Land Management Team Leader (works crew team leader)
• a Conservation and Land Management Officer (works crew members - multiple positions).

These roles will support the planning, delivery and management of a range of on-ground actions to improve the health of waterways and catchments including fencing, revegetation and weed control – with flexible arrangements available.

Apply via: www.ccma.vic.gov.au/drought-employment-program

The CMA Drought Employment Program is funded by the Victorian Government. Roles are available for those in the Corangamite CMA and Glenelg Hopkins CMA regions.

What's On

Details about these events and more can be found on our website.

Water planning webinars 

When: Every Tuesday from 10 am up to and including 16 December 

Join this series of informal presentation led by Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officer Clem Sturmfels. 

Participants will also have access to a range of other recordings, videos and associated resources. 

Topics 

• Water self-assessment 
• Water planning 
• Farm dams 
• Pipeline layout and design 
• Installation and construction. 

Hamilton SmartFarm – MultiMix Field Day

When: Monday 1 December, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Hamilton SmartFarm, 12 Research Station Road, Hamilton

Join us to hear about how multi-species pasture have the potential to improve sheep production, reduce methane emissions and extend the resilience of pastures in the Southern regions of Australia.

The field day will showcase the trial platform with presentations from research scientists explaining the aims of the MultiMix project.

The event will conclude with a free barbecue lunch.

Webinar – Plant health pyramid and integrated pest and disease management

When: Monday 1 December,12:30 - 1:30 pm 

This lunch time webinar will focus on integrated pest and disease management and holistic plant health. Learn how soil biology, nutrition and ecological redesign can minimise inputs like fuel and fertilisers – leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions, healthier soils and more profitable operations.

Presenters

• Joel Williams, independent plant and soil health educator, Integrated Soils (Canada)
• Dr Mary Retallack, Managing Director, Retallack Viticulture (South Australia)
  A third-generation viticulturist and PhD qualified agroecologist,

Webinar – Taking stock of feed quality

When: Tuesday 2 December,12:30-1:30 pm

Variable seasonal conditions impact quality and quantity of available pasture, silage, hay and grain. Now is the time to look at what ‘fuel’ – metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) – is available to manage livestock productivity through the season ahead.

Presenters:

Dr Jill Kelly - Animal Health & Nutrition Consulting

Julian Carroll – ‘Round Hill’, Mudgegonga farmer

Ed Weatherly – ‘Blythvale’, Streatham farmer

Topics to be covered include:

• How to use ME and CP efficiently?
• Where does fibre fit in?
• Where are the energy losses from the system?
• How are farmers using in-paddock weighing to gain insights into feed and animal performance?

A limited number of free feed tests will be available to Victorian farmers attending so please register early.

Stock containment conversations

When: Monday 5 December, 8:45 am to 12 noon
Where: Cavendish Football Netball Club, 2 Cadden Street, Cavendish

After a successful Farmer-Q in August, we are pleased to be presenting stock containment conversations; the next in this community series.
Join us for a conversation on how stock containment can protect your soil and pasture, keep your livestock healthy and be a useful addition to your farming business.
Lunch Provided

This event is supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Agriculture Victoria, Southern Farming Systems, through joint funding by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust, the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and Meat and Livestock Australia.

Circular solutions for farm resilience

When: Monday 15 December,4-7 pm

Circular solutions for farm resilience explores how circular economy principles can transform Australian agriculture. By rethinking waste and resource flows, farms can reduce costs, generate new income streams, and enhance long-term sustainability.

The event will showcase practical examples of resource recovery, bioenergy, composting, and nutrient recycling, demonstrating how farmers are creating closed-loop systems that benefit both the environment and the bottom line. Experts from research, government, and industry will share tools and strategies that help integrate circular approaches into farm operations.

Join Green Lab Futures to learn how adopting circular solutions can make farms more efficient, resilient, and environmentally responsible – building stronger rural economies and a cleaner future.

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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