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Thursday 30 October 2025
Drought support available now
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.
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
Ag Vic Talk podcasts
Hear farmers across Victoria chat about the agriculture sector, like using Ag Tech on-farm and improving farm safety from the paddock to the kitchen table.
Farmers share their inspiring stories of managing the dynamic nature of farming, in droughts or recovering from fires and floods. Plus, much more.
Next time you’re out in the back paddock, driving the tractor, straining a fence, or harvesting a crop, put on a podcast that’s all about you.
Listen to AgVic Talk on the Ag Vic website.
Farm Drought Support Grants
Farmers across the state are using Farm Drought Support Grants to set themselves up for the current, and future droughts.
Check out the list of some eligible activities below:
- Stock Containment Areas
- reticulated water systems, pipes and troughs
- irrigation system upgrades– including repairs and maintenance
- grain and fodder storage
- internal fencing
- feed system upgrades
- pasture/crop restoration
- water carting for livestock and essential business activities.
Farmers can claim expenses on eligible activities since 30 September 2024.
For program guidelines, a full list of eligible activities, and to apply visit www.ruralfinance.com.au/grants/
Workshops on tap for irrigators in Mildura
Irrigators in the Mildura region are encouraged to attend upcoming workshops running from November to December hosted by Agriculture Victoria.
The suite of workshops includes a 2-day irrigation management course, a drip monitoring and maintenance workshop and a soil moisture monitoring workshop (both half days).
Agriculture Victoria Regional Manager Irrigation Mallee Jeremy Giddings believes irrigators get a lot of value from these in-person workshops.
‘We find the workshops facilitate healthy discussion among irrigators about data, techniques and systems and enhance their understanding of irrigation principles,’ said Mr Giddings.
‘Participants learn how to get the most from their irrigation systems and use water as efficiently as possible on their crops to enhance farm profitability.
The free workshops will take place at Agriculture Victoria, 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple.
The Irrigation Management Course on 6 and 20 November will also provide growers with an overview of soil water principles specific to Mallee soils including the holding capacity of readily available water. Irrigators will also learn about performance, management and scheduling and outlook for water this season.
On 8 December, Irrigators are welcome to attend a workshop from 9 to 11 am which will step them through how to interpret soil moisture monitoring data. Attendees are encouraged to bring their monitoring data to share.
On 10 December, irrigators are invited to attend a workshop from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm to learn how to monitor and maintain their drip irrigation systems at the drip monitoring and maintenance course.
Places are limited so farmers are encouraged to visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to learn more or register directly by email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Wimmera Pulse Field Day thank you
Fantastic to see industry out in force for the Wimmera Pulse Field Day last Thursday 23 October at Kewell!
Thank you to our partners Grains Research and Development Corporation, Frontier Farming Systems, Birchip Cropping Group, breeders, agronomists, pathologists, market experts, growers and especially Warakirri Cropping who hosted our trials in lentil, field pea, chickpea and faba bean.
Advice on farm water and management decisions
Rachael Campbell, Agriculture Victoria
With the long dry period, many farm dams are yet to fill. Support is available to assist with stock water planning and other farm management decisions.
All farmers in Victoria can register for a free one to one consultation with a farm management specialist.
This advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to talk through and help develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is tailored to your situation, with a consultant that you nominate from Agriculture Victoria’s panel. Advice can include stock feed planning, water planning and a range of other on-farm decisions.
More information about this service can be found at https://go.vic.gov.au/452dHXb.
Reporting varroa mite remains vital in transition to management
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging beekeepers to continue to report varroa mite despite the state transitioning to management of the pest.
Throughout August, large numbers of beehives were moved into almond orchards for pollination. As anticipated, new detections of Varroa have and will continue to occur across Victoria.
The focus is now on preparing beekeepers to live with the pest while slowing its spread.
Agriculture Victoria’s Varroa Development Officers are working in field with beekeepers to ensure any positive loads within the state are well managed to minimise the biosecurity risk.
Grants open to improve pet welfare across Victoria
The Victorian Government is backing shelters, rehoming groups and community vet clinics – making vet care more affordable and helping more pets find loving homes across Victoria.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the opening of applications for Round 13 of the Animal Welfare Fund, which will invest $1.6 million to support companion animal welfare across Victoria.
This round offers Pet Welfare Grants of up to $100,000 for not-for-profit organisations, animal shelters and community foster care networks.
Eligible projects include those focused on rehoming, education, emergency animal relief and expanding facilities available to the community during times of crisis.
Get your livestock fire plan done now
Victorian producers are more aware than most of the importance of being prepared and having a plan in place for livestock during a fire.
With the coming fire season almost upon us, now is the time for livestock owners to get prepared and have a clear strategy to apply in the event of a fire emergency on their farm.
A key factor in minimising the threat to livestock during a bushfire or on extreme fire danger days is to identify safer areas on-farm where livestock can be moved to.
The area you choose will depend on the type of livestock and their expected behaviour during a fire.
To reduce the potential for injury and death to livestock, consider relocating stock to designated low-risk areas during days of high fire danger and Total Fire Bans.
Low risk areas include:
- bare areas such as ploughed paddocks, and areas cultivated and kept free of combustible vegetation
- bared-out paddocks, provided they are well defended by fire breaks
- irrigated paddocks or paddocks containing green summer crops
- stockyards that can be wet in advance. However, the yards must be well defended as the fire front passes
- dams and swamps are another possible option.
All low-risk areas should have sufficient drinking water to enable stock to remain in the area for extended periods of high fire risk and high temperatures.
For more information regarding stock containment areas for emergencies, go to https://go.vic.gov.au/Ex53E4
Stockyards have been known to successfully hold stock during a fire if protected by a firebreak. If this is your preferred option, consider using a sprinkler system, as stock held together on a hot day can suffer from heat stress.
Horses should not be confined to small areas or stables; instead, they should be moved to an open paddock with minimal vegetation, allowing them to move freely.
Horses and cattle are adept at avoiding fires, moving themselves to safe, open areas, and usually suffer minimal burns if left to do so.
If equipment such as rugs, halters, and flyveils remain on horses, the plastic may melt, and metal buckles can burn the animal. Therefore, consider using rope halters for easier handling and management.
It’s crucial not to open gates that may allow stock access to public roadways, as any animals will be a hazard to traffic in smoky conditions.
On days of extreme fire danger or on the day before, stock should be moved into lower-risk areas on-farm or to a safer property.
Agriculture Victoria advises livestock owners to act early and avoid being caught trying to move stock as a fire approaches.
Listen to weather forecasts and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action.
For further assistance on preparing a farm and livestock bushfire plan click here or contact the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Is hay the best option for your crop this season?
The following tools can help farmers to make confident, data-driven decisions in the field.
Berries Australia drought support webinar
If you missed the Berries Australia Victorian drought support webinar, you can now watch the recording.
This practical session connects Victorian berry growers with the services, grants, and tools available to manage drought challenges.
Hear from experts at Agriculture Victoria, NexSolutions, Berries Australia Berry Industry Partner Netafim Australia & New Zealand, and Agribusiness Yarra Valley as they cover:
- drought support grants and financial assistance
- farm water management and budgeting tools
- advisory and counselling services for growers
- environmental stewardship planning.
Drive change: Be the next VGT Chair
The VGT is seeking a passionate and strategic leader to step into the role of Chair. This is a unique opportunity to guide the development of VGT’s new gorse strategy and help shape the future direction of community-led pest plant management across the state.
As Chair, you’ll work closely with landholders, community groups, and government partners to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and ensure gorse control efforts are effective and sustainable.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and lead the next chapter of VGT’s work, we encourage you to apply. Applications close 7 November 2025.
Irrigation management course
When: Thursday 6 and 20 November, 9 am - 5 pm
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple
We invite you to a free 2-day course providing information on irrigation management aimed at maximising farm profitability and efficiency.
Topics
- Soil water principles
- Irrigation of Mallee soils
- Readily available water (RAW) holding capacity
- Irrigation system performance
- Leaching efficiency and nutrient management
- Irrigation scheduling
- Water outlook
Places are limited, please register via email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Carbon Farming Outreach Program webinar
When: Friday 7 November, 3-5 pm
Join Elise Bowen, a trusted expert in sheep production from Sheep Data Management, for a webinar focussing on practical implementation and use of eID data to boost farm productivity and reduce methane emissions.
A Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program event.
Bushfire Preparation Workshop
When: Saturday 8 November, 9:30 am - 1 pm
Where: Heritage Fruit Trees, Beaufort VIC (directions provided on booking)
Learn the measures that helped Heritage Fruit Trees defend their home and business during the February 2024 bushfire.
Practical tips on:
- Fire pumps and rooftop sprinklers
- Managing fuel loads
- Stay-or-go fire plans
- Preparing to support for firefighters
Bring a friend! Save $9.50 per person when booking in groups of 2+
Spaces are limited – book today!
Look over the farm gate - Werrimull
When: Friday 7 November, 6 pm
Where: Werrimull Hotel
A free event for the whole family not to be missed which includes a free barbecue tea (drinks to be purchased from the hotel) and entertainment by Jarred Shaw and Waldo the Magnificent.
Catch up with neighbours and friends for a chat and grab a bite to eat and at the same time help address mental health.
Guest speaker and Lifeline Regional SA and Far West NSW Ambassador Brendan Cullen will be speaking about his journey on the road to better mental health, fitness and peer support opportunities. Brendan has lived and worked on stations outside of Broken Hill.
Visit brendancullen.com.au for more on his story.
Lean and drought support business planning webinar
When: Tuesday 11 November, 12:30-3 pm
Learn how to strengthen your operations, improve profitability, and drive long-term sustainability with expert insights from Moshie.
Topics
- Introduction to lean business management and how it applies to your farm business
- Moshie’s tools for identifying waste and improving efficiency to increase profitability and resilience
- Simple business planning templates to identify areas for improvement
- Straightforward costing tools to improve decision-making and resource management
- Strategies for risk management, building drought resilience and long-term business sustainability
- 12 months of access to an exclusive online portal, with workshop resources
Rural Financial Counselling Service - free webinar
When: Wednesday 12 November, 12 noon to 1 pm
This session will give an overview of how the RFCS assists farmers, small business owners, and rural communities to build financial resilience and wellbeing, free of charge. The assistance is also available to businesses in regional centres.
You’ll learn about:
- How RFCS supports people through financial challenges
- Options for farm debt, budgeting, and financial planning
- Free wellbeing and personal support services
- What to expect when speaking with a financial or wellbeing counsellor.
Link to webinar will be provided after registration.
StockSense Goat Essentials Workshop
When: Friday 21 November, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Wattle Flat (location will be provided after registration)
Hosted by StockSense, this workshop is a great opportunity to connect with other goat owners and gain some hands-on knowledge.
Presenter:
- Berwyn Squire, Agriculture Victoria Goat Health Veterinary Officer
- Ellie Mowle, Animal Health Officer
Topics:
- Foot paring
- Vaccinations
- Faecal egg counts
- General biosecurity
- Body condition scoring
- FAMACHA® for effective worm control
The event is free and catered.
GRDC events
24-25 February, GRDC Grains Research Update – Bendigo
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
Birchip Cropping Group events
Visit www.bcg.org.au/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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