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Thursday 12 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 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.
Emergency Relief Drinking Water program
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our research powering future focused dairy systems
Methane emissions are one of the biggest challenges for agriculture, and we’re tackling it head-on at the Ellinbank SmartFarm.
Our new video shows how we’re leading worldclass research to reduce enteric methane emissions in grazing based dairy systems. Using technologies such as respiration chambers, GreenFeeds and methane sensors, our team is testing practical, farm ready mitigation options.
So far, we’ve achieved methane reductions of more than 40%, with no negative impact on milk production. This highlights a significant step forward for the dairy sector.
The video demonstrates how we test solutions under real-world farm conditions to ensure they’re practical, adoptable and deliver real benefits for farmers.
Watch Future focused dairy: Ellinbank SmartFarm's methane research now on YouTube.
Consider options before re-fencing after fire
Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer
Recent bushfires have had devastating consequences for many farming families, destroying infrastructure such as fences, sheds, and water systems. Amongst this devastation, they also offer an opportunity to review and update farm layouts.
Innovative thinkers to represent Victoria as award finalists
Image above: Sherri Symons from Ellerslie
A fifth-generation sheep farmer, an occupational therapist, an agtech entrepreneur and a country vet are the 2026 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award finalists.
The award acknowledges and celebrates the vital role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.
Celebrating International Women and Girls in Science Day
We recently celebrated United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science looking at some of our wonderful people.
Women like Kendra Whiteman, Higher Education Manager at Agriculture Victoria Research, whose work supports PhD students and early-career researchers to support our research priorities whilst building meaningful career pathways.
Each year, Kendra connects students with networking opportunities, workshops, seminars and work placements through internal and university-wide professional development programs, building both technical capability and professional confidence.
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:
- Barwon South West: Terang.
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.
What's On
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, 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.
Calculate your farm emissions workshop
Date and time: Tuesday 24 February, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Wimmera CMA Office, 24 Darlot Street Horsham
Cost: Free
Join this practical session designed to help you understand your farm’s emissions and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Adam Buzza from Agriculture Victoria will lead this workshop, where you will have the opportunity to apply your own data into an emissions calculator, with guidance and support every step of the way.
Online Farm Business Resilience Program
Date and time: Wednesday 25 February, 12 noon - 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 Modules 4 and 5, to review business plans. Participants are expected to attend all 5 online sessions.
Fencing farm dams - webinar
Date and time: Thursday 26 February from 5:30-7pm
Healthy dams and wetlands can increase on-farm productivity, biodiversity, livestock health and water security. When properly managed, they can also store carbon from our atmosphere, referred to as teal carbon.
Landcare members will share practical management steps you can take so healthy water is available for livestock, native plants and wildlife on your farm.
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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