Apply now for a Farm Drought Support Grant

Farmers can claim expenses on eligible activities since 30 September 2024.   

For program guidelines, a full list of eligible activities, and to apply visit Rural Finance.  

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:   

• 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.         

On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program 

Farmers impacted by kangaroos competing for pasture and crops can apply for the On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate program. 
 
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. 
 
Find more information on drought support: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Is hay the best option for your crop this season?

Every year Victorian grain crops face seasonal risks in spring. With the market for hay quite strong and the grain market looking weaker than other years, farmers might choose to cut their crops for hay instead of harvesting them.

To help work out the most profitable option, Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Boyd is encouraging growers to take advantage of some helpful online calculators.

Listen to the Berries Australia drought support webinar 

Did you miss the Berries Australia Victorian drought support webinar for berry growers? 
 
You can now watch the full recording online. 
 
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 

2024 deer harvest report now available  

The Game Management Authority has released the estimates of the 2024 deer harvest in Victoria report.  

Results show an estimated 167,600 deer were harvested in 2024. This is a 22% increase on the estimated 137,100 deer harvested in 2023 and an 83% increase on the long-term average (91,100). 

Sambar deer were the most harvested species with an estimated harvest of 128,000 deer, of which 60% were female. Fallow deer were the second most harvested species, with an estimated harvest of 35,400 deer, of which 58% were female. 

The number of licenced recreational deer hunters in 2024 was 52,098. The number of deer hunters in Victoria has remained relatively steady since 2023, when there were 52,321 licensed deer hunters. 

Of the 52,098 licensed deer hunters, 50% actively hunted in 2024. On average, active deer hunters harvested an estimated 6.4 deer over 13.5 days. 

The most popular hunting areas were around the towns of Mansfield, Bairnsdale, Omeo, Benalla and Eildon. The highest number of deer harvested were around the towns of Mansfield, Bairnsdale, Benalla, Yarram and Omeo. 

Got chooks? Stay in the loop with Poultry Post!

Whether you keep one chicken or a whole flock, Poultry Post is your go-to newsletter for biosecurity tips, H5 bird flu updates, and expert advice to keep your birds safe. 

Together, we can protect Australia’s poultry and wild bird populations. 

Apply now: irrigation incentive program

West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria are pleased to open a new round of farm plan incentives, and for the first time, farmers in Warragul, Thorpdale, Noojee and Perry Bridge and across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment are eligible to apply.   

Up to $10,000 per farm is available through the Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentive Program to help with the cost of a professionally designed irrigation plan. 

Listen while you work

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.  

Find more information on drought support at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.  

In case you missed it 

• Monitoring worms essential this spring

• AgTech Showcase officially launches in Victoria

Webinar: Farm fire preparedness

When: Monday 27 October, 7 to 8:15 pm

Managing the risk of bushfire for your farm is vital.

Whether you’re a livestock producer or small landholder, run a horticulture enterprise or are new to farming, it’s important to prepare for the coming fire season.

Join us for this webinar about farm fire preparedness.

Planning and preparing for the bushfire season includes identifying risks and undertaking tasks to prepare your farm well ahead of the season. 

In this webinar, Agriculture Victoria’s Kylie Macreadie will discuss key preparedness activities, tools and templates to help you plan for the fire season.

Landholders impacted by recent fires will share their stories of preparing for fire and putting a fire plan into practice. They will also share information on the recovery process.

Topics covered: 

• preparing farm infrastructure
• farm asset inventories and insurance
• fire preparedness checklists, action plan and map
• planning for impacts and recovery
• updating your property identification code (PIC) and NLIS details.

Trees on Farms: agroforestry in livestock enterprises

When: Monday 27 October, 9:45 am - 12:30 pm
Where: McMaster's property, 3310 South Gippsland Highway, Darriman.

Speakers:
Tim Fowler, Heartwood Unlimited
Callam Reynolds, Maffra and Districts Landcare Network

• opportunities for agroforestry in livestock enterprises
• ‎plantation management
• ‎products, revenues and markets
• Trees on Farms program grants

Day 1: Tuesday 28 October, 10 am – 12:30 pm: an introduction to carbon farming and carbon accounting.

Day 2: Tuesday 11 November, 10 am – 1 pm: bring your laptop (or borrow one from the WGCMA) to work through an online carbon calculator to estimate your own farm’s emissions footprint.

Carbon accounting for farmers

When: Tuesday 28 October and Tuesday 11 November
Where: West Gippsland CMA
16 Hotham Street, Traralgon.

Banks, processors and insurance companies are increasingly offering incentives or premiums to farmers who have calculated their farm emissions. Come along to these short, interactive sessions to get a better understanding of carbon farming, carbon accounting, and to estimate your own farm’s emissions footprint.

Presenters: Nick Dudley and Pragna Prathap. 

Weed and Pest Workshop on farm - Seaview

• Seaview – Thursday 30 October, 10 am to 2 pm

Got weed or pest problems? Join the Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network for practical, expert advice from vertebrate control specialist Dominic Bromilow (DeeperGreen) and habitat restoration guru Gez Watt (Native Habitat).

What you’ll get:

• 4 hours with Dominic and Gez (bring photos and questions!)
• take-home weed and pest management calendars
• free herbicide dabber to get you started
• morning tea and lunch provided. 

Just A Farmer - free community screening 

When: Thursday 30 October, 6 pm 
Where: Maffco Brewery and Distillery. 

Just A Farmer is a powerful, independent Australian film that explores mental health in rural communities with raw honesty and hope. Written and produced by Victorian mother, teacher and farmer Leila McDougall, this story has touched hearts around the country.

The night will include:

• screening of the feature film Just A Farmer
• Q&A with filmmaker Leila McDougall
• panel conversation with local voices
• dinner for attendees
• info and support stalls from regional organisations. 

Turning Weed Control into Pasture Success

When: Friday 7 November, 11 am - 2 pm
Where: ‘Holstons’, 1119 Buchan – Ensay Road, Ensay. 

Join us to look at the results of the 3-year MLA funded demonstration site into improving pasture quality and productivity through effective weed control.

Topics:

• managing weeds in existing pastures
• controlling weeds prior to perennial pasture establishment
• nutrient management to maintain productive pastures
• grazing management for persistence
• comparing pasture quality and impact on production. 

Presenters: 
Nicole Frost - Agronomist at PEAK Pasture & Livestock

Fiona Baker – Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer. 

Profitable pastures - Clifton Creek Hall

When: Saturday 8 November, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm 
Where: Clifton Creek Hall, 810 Depford Road, Clifton Creek 

Turning weeds into feed. Hear from leading specialists and see firsthand how soil health, grazing management and targeted weed control can lift productivity and profitability in your farming system.