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Thursday 7 August 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
Helping families make ends meet through the drought
The Victorian Government is helping to take the pressure off families facing the worst of the drought in southwest Victoria, delivering urgent cash flow relief to get them through these challenging times.
These communities have been feeling the worst of the drought conditions over the past two years, and the Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced recently the opening of the $2 million Household Financial Relief Program, which provides up to $1,000 to eligible farming families to meet urgent household expenses.
The payments are open to farming families in 12 drought-affected Local Government Areas including Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong, and the southern parts of West Wimmera.
The support program is being delivered by the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of Victoria, which plays a pivotal role supporting rural communities and families, particularly during emergency response and recovery.
The CWA is part of the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce, which engaged directly with farmers and rural communities to make sure their needs are met through the support packages.
Mental health is also a key focus for the Taskforce, and based on its feedback, we’re backing a range of targeted mental health programs to support individuals and communities feeling the strain of the prolonged drought in the $144 Drought Support Package.
This includes the successful Look Over the Farm Gate program, which supports community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness through the National Centre for Farmer Health.
So far, more than 60 events have applied for funding through this program, and we are investing an additional $500,000 to continue to provide grants of up to $5,000 for more community events.
A $600,000 investment will also go towards the appointment of three Rural Financial Counselling Service wellbeing counsellors in Gippsland, the north east and north west Victoria to provide support for drought-affected farmers.
Other support programs available to farmers across Victoria include the Farm Drought Support Grants, with up to $5,000 to support investment in on-farm drought management activities. A $5,000 top-up is available for farmers in the 12 drought-affected LGAs and southern parts of West Wimmera, taking their grants up to $10,000.
To apply for a Household Financial Relief payment, visit cwaofvic.org.au or to view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
More trees on farms to benefit landowners
The Victorian Government is encouraging Victorian farmers and landowners to take advantage of a new program to plant more trees on their farms – helping to boost timber supply, increase biodiversity and prevent soil erosion.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced recently the Victorian Trees on Farms Program at Parliament House, alongside industry members at the Victorian Forest Products Association’s Timber Plantations showcase.
The new program is offering grants of up to $80,000 for landholders to plant trees on their property – providing long term solutions including boosting shade and shelter for livestock, improving stock and crop production, offsetting carbon emissions or generating income through carbon credits.
Risk of red imported fire ant in imported fodder
Agriculture Victoria is urging farmers to be mindful of import requirements and to keep watch for red imported fire ants (RIFA) when sourcing fodder from interstate.
Agriculture Victoria acting Chief Plant Health Officer Stephen Dibley said RIFA, or Solenopsis invicta, is one of the worst invasive ant species in Australia.
Native to South America, it was first detected in Brisbane in 2001 and while still largely localised to Greater Brisbane, it has also recently been detected in 2 separate zones in New South Wales.
‘RIFA is not present in Victoria and we hope collective efforts continue to ensure this situation remains unchanged,’ Dr Dibley said.
‘If RIFA made it into Victoria, it could severely affect the state’s economy, agriculture, the environment and the wellbeing of people and livestock.
‘RIFA is mostly spread when it hitchhikes on material that is transported out of an infested area.’
He said with drought forcing farmers to source hay and fodder from interstate suppliers, there was a real risk they may inadvertently import RIFA.
A rough winter coat on young cattle could be telling
Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer, Northern Region
If your young cattle’s coats are looking a bit rough, it could be due to lice or ringworm, which both thrive under similar circumstances.
Both lice and ringworm are typically a greater problem in young cattle in either poor nutrition or with a compromised immune system. Neither are a significant problem to cattle in good health.
Lice are small sucking or biting insects found mostly around the head, neck and shoulder area, and along the back to the tail.
The irritation they cause lead to a rough scruffy appearance, and areas of skin rubbed raw particularly around the neck and shoulder. The main effect of lice is skin damage as well as reduced grazing.
Cattle are infested through animal-to-animal contact with other cattle from which the population of lice can build up rapidly. Cattle lice do not infest other animals.
The cattle’s denser winter coat along with cooler weather favours the lice’s survival.
Without treatment the problem will remain until spring, when increasing temperatures and day lengths along with improved nutrition naturally reduce lice numbers.
Ringworm is a transmissible infectious skin disease caused by a spore forming fungi. It too is spread by direct contact and can spread rapidly through a group of cattle, particularly in poorly growing young animals with underlying poor health or nutrition.
It causes grey-white areas of slightly raised skin with an ash-like surface. It can become extensive being seen predominantly around the eyes, ears and along the back of calves, also the chest and legs of adult cattle.
It causes little permanent damage or economic loss; however, it can be transmitted to humans.
Ringworm usually clears up within one to two months without any treatment particularly when conditions improve.
For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health or extension staff.
DAMDEEP invention wins prize at Sheepvention
A big congratulations to our own Greg Bekker who won first prize at Sheepvention Rural Expo’s Western Ag Inventions competition.
His winning invention – DAMDEEP – is a simple, safe and smart tool to help farmers measure dam depth with ease.
Made from a hand reel, float, fluoro beads and sinker, DAMDEEP has helped many farmers to take stock of their farm water supplies during the drought.
Used in conjunction with the summer water calculator, which can be found at https://go.vic.gov.au/3hn3uOn, farmers can use DAMDEEP to determine how much water they have in their dams.
Urea use for boosting winter growth – webinar
Urea use has proven to be a successful option to boost winter growth, helping farmers to grow more grass, which is vital during the current drought conditions.
Agriculture Victoria livestock industry development officer Nick Linden said after a poor spring and summer and a late autumn break, the need to grow more feed is a top priority.
‘AgVic is holding a webinar on Monday 11 August at 12 pm, for livestock farmers focused on using urea to boost pasture growth this winter and spring.
‘Urea is a proven option for increasing pasture growth rates through winter. For those who haven’t used urea before, this might be the year to try it.
Feed budget support
Help is available to develop feed budgets or assist with livestock feeding decisions – vital for maintaining the health of livestock and while pastures start to recover following recent rain.
Any Victorian farmer can get help with feed budgeting by booking a one-on-one session with a specialist from our panel of farm advisors at https://go.vic.gov.au/452dHXb.
For practical tools and resources visit Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding Livestock website www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au or call 136 186.
Ag Vic Talk season 10
Tackling Burnout with Maggie Bridgewater
It's important to look after yourself so you can effectively look after the farm.
Farmers can face a unique set of challenges, from unpredictable weather to changes in finances.
In this Farming Safe and Well podcast episode, Maggie Bridgewater, a Wellbeing Counsellor with the Rural Financial Counselling Service in western Victoria, shares her journey and offers practical strategies for managing burnout, anxiety, and stress.
🎧 Listen now to learn how to recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to improve your mental wellbeing.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Boosting pasture growth with urea
When: Monday 11 August from 12:30 pm
Inviting livestock farmers to a webinar focussed on using urea to boost pasture growth this winter/ spring. Urea can be a useful tool to increase pasture growth rates and reduce the amount of supplementary feeding.
Presenters:
- Lisa Warn from Lisa Warn Ag Consulting
- Nick Linden, Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer
Lisa will share expert insights into pasture conditions to get the best results as well as timing, rates of application and cost vs benefits. Nick will present findings from 2024 urea trials with the Weed Managers Producer Demonstration Site (PDS)
Farm for the future – Curyo and Nullawil
When: Tuesday 12 August, 1-5pm
Where: Curyo CFA, Marlbed–Curyo Road, Curyo
When: Wednesday 13 August, 1-5pm
Where: Nullawil Recreation Reserve, Birchip–Nullawil Road
Hosted by Mallee CMA, 2 free workshops with leading soil scientist Dr Cassie Schefe covering:
- understanding your farm’s carbon number
- learning how you can improve efficiencies and boost soil health
- gaining practical insights to help future-proof your business and profitability.
Afternoon tea will be provided.
GHCMA Scheduling workshops for irrigators
When: Thursday 14 August 10 am - 3 pm
Where: 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
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.
Setting strategies for farm business success
When: 26-27 August, 9 am — 3 pm
Where: Millewa Community Complex, Lake Cullulleraine
When: 28-29 August, 9 am — 3 pm
Where: Ultima Hotel
Join Gavin Beever, Brendan Williams and Dale Grey for a Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success 2 day workshop in Underbool and Lake Cullulleraine.
Topics:
- 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
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to learn more and register.
Farmer's Night Off
When: Friday 5 September, 5-11 pm
Where: The Logan Pub, 6742 Wimmera Highway, Logan
Join us for a free, in-person session designed to support individuals and farm businesses navigating challenging times. This event brings together practical business advice, financial support options, and wellbeing strategies—all aimed at building resilience.
Topics:
- Business advice and grant guidance from Richard Bales (Dundee Swanwater Consulting)
- Mental health strategies with Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer
- Support from East Wimmera Health Service, Rural Financial Counselling Service, and Authentic Conversations
- Farmer-to-farmer networking
Australasian Seed Science Conference
When: 22 - 25 September
Where: Horsham
ASSC 2025 offers a platform to explore cutting-edge research, share new technologies, and exchange ideas on common scientific, legal, and policy challenges in seed conservation and use.
The program will feature diverse topics including:
- Revitalisation of traditional food systems through Indigenous leadership
- Policy frameworks enabling access to, and sustainable use of, plant genetic resources
- Advances in germinating and conserving hard-to-propagate species
- The role of genomics and digital tools in climate adaptation and crop recovery.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead - and be part of seeding innovation for a more resilient future.
GRDC events
23 September, 9 am - 3 pm GRDC Harvester Set Up Workshop – Horsham
Visit grdc.com.au/events to learn more.
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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