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Thursday 17 July 2025
Australian Government – support in drought
The Australian Government has support programs to help manage through the impacts caused by drought. Programs are open all the time with no drought declarations needed to apply.
You may be eligible for more than you realise - know your options and apply early.
Farm Household Allowance
Call the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 or visit Services Australia to see if you are eligible for up to four years of support.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Call 1300 771 741 to access free, confidential and independent financial counselling if you’re an eligible primary producers or small businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
Concessional loans
Call 1800 875 675 to find out about a low-cost RIC loan if you’re an eligible farmer or farm-related small businesses in financial need.
Farm Management Deposits
Talk to your accountant about drawing down on any farm management deposit account you may have.
Tax support
Call 1800 806 218 to ask the ATO for more time to lodge and pay tax or talk to a registered tax professional about other concessions.
Social support and wellbeing
Call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 for immediate support or visit Head to Health for a list of other services that can help.
Visit drought.gov.au to see if these programs could work for you too.
On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate Program
Farmers who have livestock competing with kangaroos for fodder can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate now.
Farmers 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 and to apply visit our website.
Find more information about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
You may be asking, when will my dam fill?
While some good rain has fallen across much of the state, many dams are unlikely to fill unless they are in the path of a thunderstorm.
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officer Clem Sturmfels said the hot, dry summer and lack of autumn rainfall has left soil moisture levels well below average for this time of the year.
Improved farm water calculator now available
Agriculture Victoria’s online farm water calculator has been a reliable tool for land managers to keep an eye on their farm water supplies.
It has now been upgraded and offers an even more user-friendly and accessible experience.
This valuable tool helps farmers estimate:
- water requirements across the farm
- storage capacity in tanks and dams
- water supply potential from sources like shed roofs, waterways, groundwater and catchment runoff.
Seeking request for quotation
We need your help to support drought-affected farmers across the state.
We’re seeking quotes from consultants, agricultural service agencies and other suitably experienced providers, to deliver technical decision-making support through:
- One-on-one consultations, and
- Group-based events.
Round 2 Request for Quotations is open until Thursday 31 July.
Footy's Favourite Farmer
Do you know a Victorian farmer who works hard, looks out for others, and backs their local footy and netball club like no other?
In collaboration with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, WorkSafe are on the hunt for the 2025 Footy’s Favourite Farmer.
Nominate someone from your local club at footysfavouritefarmer.com.au
Entries close Monday 21 July.
Expressions of interest: sheep and beef cattle producer members
for SALRC regional committees
The Southern Australia Livestock Research Council (SALRC) provides recommendations on research and development (R and D) and extension and adoption (E and A) initiatives and investments in the Australian red meat and livestock industries for south-eastern Australia.
SALRC has a commitment to building industry and organisational capability.
If you are interested in becoming a producer member on one of 7 regional committees, please contact SALRC Executive Officer Mike Stephens on 03 5341 6100 or info@salrc.com.au.
The selection committee will consider expressions of interest for Regional Committee Member positions on 28 July 2025.
Barwon Water expanding drought support
Farmers in our region are experiencing dry conditions, with low on-farm water supplies. To help support those affected by dry conditions, Barwon Water are offering more untreated water for farmland properties and recycled water to farmers and community facilities who need it.
They are calling it the Barwon Water Farm Drought Relief Program. If you are in the Colac region, access to untreated water will be available from the Colac Water Treatment Plant or Class B recycled water from the Colac Water Reclamation Plant.
Sheep webinar recording
In this webinar we heard from Sam Henty (Farm Business Economist, Agriculture Victoria) presenting on the 2023/24 Livestock Farm Monitor Greenhouse Gas Results and Dr Ralph Behrendt (Senior Specialist, Climate Change, Agriculture Victoria) discussing the outcomes of the On Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot for sheep enterprises.
Passcode: Sheep1
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Here and now workshops: Colac and Warrnambool
When: Tuesday 29 July, 10 am to 1:30 pm
Where: COPACC - Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre, 95-97 Gellibrand Street Colac.
When: Tuesday 21 August, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: The Flying Horse, 10691 Princes Highway, Warrnambool
Join local and national speakers to discuss practical and tangible tools for planning your forage base going forward.
While farming in our region experiences seasonal variability that has challenged most of us; we continue to work towards mitigating risk.
Workshop 1 organised by Aggies without Borders
Presenters: Jane Bunn, Phil White, Laura Tweddle, and CropX
Talk the Talk
When: Tuesday 22 July, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Harrow Golf Club
A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges with confidence and care.
Presented by Maggie Bridgewater from the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
For enquiries and booking, call 0422 061 891 or 0408 349 532
Webinar: From feed test to feed budget
When: Wednesday July 23, 12:30 pm.
Where: online.
We are inviting livestock farmers to a webinar on feed testing and developing a feed budget.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Nick Linden will discuss matching livestock requirements and feed quality. Nick brings extensive expertise in feed management and will offer valuable guidance for farmers feeding and managing livestock. Livestock Extension Officer Chris Blore will also talk about the current drought support available.
Register and receive a free feed test.
Planning your feedbase, water and nutrient value – Colac and Warrnambool
When: Tuesday 29 July, 10:30 am to 1 pm.
Where: COPACC - Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre, 95-97 Gellibrand Street, Colac.
When: Thursday 21 August, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: The Flying Horse, 10691 Princes Hwy, Warrnambool.
Join local and national speakers to discuss practical and tangible tools for planning your forage base going forward.
While farming in our region experiences seasonal variability that has challenged most of us; we continue to work towards mitigating risk.
Join consultant Laura Tweddle and a team of speakers who are passionate to share their knowledge on future planning your feed base and profitability.
Virtual Drought Smokos
When: Tuesday 29 July, 9 to 10 am. Every fortnight on a Tuesday through to 23 September.
Where: Online.
Drought Smokos are an hour a fortnight to get away from the paddock and catch up with a group of farmers who are all in the same boat! We will talk about the science of feeding, how much, which commodities, pros and cons, cost, different options, trigger points and planning.
Statewide seasonal forecast for horticulture producers
Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey and Bureau of Meteorology’s Agricultural Lead Rachel Davis are joining us to present on upcoming forecasts and Bureau updates.
When: Wednesday 30 July, 12 to 1 pm.
Where: online
Horticulture producers will hear about:
- Understanding climate influences and model forecasts
- What is the predictability barrier?
- Rainfall, temperature and deep soil moisture levels across the state
- Getting the most out of long-range forecasts
- Brown rot advice changes
- Forecast improvement projects
- Decision making tools.
Webinar – Calculating on-farm emissions
When: Wednesday 30 July, 5:30-7 pm
Agronomist and farmer Cam Nicholson will take you through a new, simple calculator from Agricultural Innovation Australia (AIA). Cam will give you a step-by-step guide to calculating your on-farm emissions.
Cam will be joined by land carers and farmers, who will share their experience and tips for calculating their on-farm emissions. Their learnings and productivity gains may surprise you.
Submit your questions for the webinar here.
Decisions that drive drought recovery
When: Wednesday 30 July, 9 am - 3:30 pm
Where: Darley Civic and Community Hub Pavilion
A powerful and practical 1-day workshop on how to build resilience, navigate crisis and adapt to change.
Topics:
- Learning how to navigate competing priorities for limited resources (family, farm and business).
- Identifying key resource issues, stressors, risks and opportunities for your farm business.
- Learning improved decision-making skills and how to manage key priorities – especially when under pressure and stress.
- Learning skills to rebuild capacity after battling personal/health and business challenges.
- Connecting to networks that support recovery and resilience.
Enquiries: Leigh Crocker, ION Group 0419 359 409
GHCMA Scheduling workshops for irrigators
When: Wednesday 13 August and Thursday 14 August 10 am - 3 pm
Where: Deakin University campus Warrnambool and South West TAFE campus, Hamilton
Irrigation scheduling is planning when and how much water to apply to a crop to achieve maximum crop production or a particular crop quality.
Hosted by Glenelg Hopkins CMA and presented by Peter Smith from Sapphire Irrigation Consulting, you'll learn:
- when to irrigate and when to stop
- how much water to apply
- tools for irrigation management
- evapotranspiration and crop water use
- water stress thresholds for different crop types
- soil moisture probes and where to locate them.
Free. Email Noni Brislin at n.brislin@ghcma.vic.gov.au for more information.
In good times and in bad: adaptive skills for your farming future – Wonwondah and Dunkeld
When: Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 August, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Wonwondah Hall, Wonwondah Hall Road, Wonwondah
When: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Where: Dunkeld Bowling Club, 77 Parker Street, Dunkeld.
Livestock and grain farmers are invited to participate in a 2-day workshop to help future proof your farm. Develop practical strategies to manage climate risk, build resilience and shape a stronger, more adaptable business.
Events include morning tea and lunch.
Numbers are limited. Registration is essential.
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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