Thursday 17 July 2025

Drought support for south west farmers

Agriculture Victoria continues to support drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria with an ongoing program of events.

Stay up to date with what’s on at the calendar of events. 

Drought support

Farming experts sought for drought services

Agriculture Victoria is continuing to back our farmers and regional communities through the drought, with more one-on-one support services and practical workshops.

Acting Executive Director Agriculture Sector Development and Services Kate Linden said agriculture organisations, service providers and consultants are encouraged to apply their expertise to help support farmers across the state.

‘Agriculture Victoria is seeking quotes from service providers with specialist farm management technical expertise to work with us in delivering one-on-one consultations and group-based events.

‘Every farm is different, so it’s critical that we have a range of service providers to deliver the professional business and technical advice our farmers need right now.

‘Technical specialists such as agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists, and farm business advisors are encouraged to submit a quote to deliver practical advice on subjects such as feed budgeting, farm business and financial management and managing farm water shortages.

‘We are looking for specialists to deliver our one-on-one service, which offers farmers the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with a consultant to discuss the best way forward for their business in the current season.

‘The one-on-one advisory service has been well received in south west Victoria, with 140 farmers taking up the opportunity since last October. It's been pleasing to hear that 90% of participants have already implemented the action plan created with their consultant.

‘We are also seeking partners to deliver farm group events in local farming districts across the state, to discuss topical drought management issues and opportunities, and connect with like-minded farmers.

‘Having access to specialists and sharing challenges and approaches with other farmers at a workshop, field day or farm walk is incredibly valuable.

‘Between September 2024 and June 2025, a series of 45 workshops were held across the south west, attended by 955 farmers.

‘The events provided practical, science-based support to manage feed and water supply, animal nutrition, and pasture planning,’ said Ms Linden.

Request for quotes are invited up until Thursday 31 July.

For more information and to register visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

View the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought affected farmers or phone 136 186.

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.  

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.

Agriculture Victoria Climate Change Development Officer Heather Field said by adjusting rainfall inputs, users can explore how their water supply might perform under different climate scenarios, helping them plan for dry seasons or unexpected shortages.

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.

‘Without an intense rainfall event, good runoff is unlikely until our soils become saturated.

What's On

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

So you know your number, now what?

When: 21 July, 2-5 pm
Where: Horsham RSL, 36 McLachlan Street, Horsham

This workshop is designed to support farmers who have already calculated their farm’s emissions, providing opportunity to discuss next steps, including strategies for reducing emissions, supply chain opportunities and on-going emissions calculations.

Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Dr Cass Schefe

When: 22 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm
Where: Kaniva LINK Neighbourhood House 

This workshop will provide an overview of the external forces driving the need to track farm emissions. It will assist farms to position their business for a low carbon emission future.

Talk the talk workshop

When: 22 July, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: Harrow Golf Club

A free workshop to help community leaders and farm supplier and service providers support people facing mental health challenges.

Bookings essential by 17 July.

Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success

When: 23-24 July, 9 am - 3 pm
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club

Join Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consulting for a Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success 2 day workshop in St Arnaud commencing Wednesday 23 July.

Learn

• What an effective business plan is and how to define success
• Cashflow management
• Dealing with downturns
• How to undertake a business fitness check
• Identifying success drivers and benchmarking

Catch up with Ag Vic experts Dale Grey and Jim Moran to discuss seasonal risk and biosecurity concerns. Hear Brendan Williams from Autonomous Ag talk about latest in AgTech.

From Feed Test to Feed Budget webinar

When: 23 July, 12:30-1:30 pm
Where: Online

Join Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officers Nick Linden and Chris Blore for a webinar on feed testing and developing a feed budget.

Chris will also talk about the current drought support available.

Virtual Drought Smokos with Dr Jillian Kelly

When: 29 July, 9-10 am
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.

Decisions that drive drought recovery

When: 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

• How to navigate competing priorities for limited resources (family, farm and business)
• Identifying key resource issues, stressors, risks and opportunities for your farm business
• Improved decision-making skills and how to manage key priorities – especially when under pressure and stress
• 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

In good times and in bad: adaptive skills for your farming future

When: 18-19 August, 8:30 am — 3 pm
Where: Wonwondah Hall, Wonwondah Hall Road, Wonwondah

When: 21-22 August, 8:30 am — 3 pm
Where: Dunkeld Bowling Club, Memorial Park, Dunkeld

Livestock and grain farmers join us for a 2-day adaptive farming workshop with Think Agri consultant Dr Kate Burke.

Learn valuable strategies to manage your business in the current challenging conditions and how to develop a plan for your farm’s future success.

Topics

•  Managing climate variability and farm financial performance
•  Identifying opportunities for growth and mitigating risk
•  Reviewing key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
•  Analysing income versus cost of production
•  Evaluating your appetite for risk and production potential
•  Scenario planning for 2025 and beyond

Free, morning tea and lunch included, but register early as numbers are limited.

Find more information about available drought support at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

GRDC events

Birchip Cropping Group 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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