Thursday 29 May 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. Check out the events being delivered as part of the Drought Support Package.

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

Expanded drought support package

Assistance for farmers and communities 

The Victorian Government is providing further practical support to farmers across Victoria impacted by drought and difficult seasonal conditions.  

The lack of rainfall during this autumn is accelerating the hardship being faced by farm businesses, with many farms facing significant decisions around destocking, securing fodder and managing low on-farm water supplies 

This new $15.95 million package extends the $13.53 million drought support package announced by the Premier and Agriculture Minister on 30 September 2024. 

Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support will be made available statewide, supporting farmers to manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.  

The technical, wellbeing and financial decision-making support program will ensure farm businesses have access to tailored advice through one-on-one consultations, webinars, workshops, field days, and boosted online tools and information. 

Updated guidelines for the technical decision-making support program will be available soon.  

This program has been extended for farmers in south west Victoria who can continue to apply now 

A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program

A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program will be available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress. 

In response to deteriorating seasonal conditions across the state more LGAs will be eligible for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program. 

Agriculture Victoria will continue to monitor conditions and ensure support is given to farmers who need it most. 

Find out more at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186. 

Request for quotation (RFQ) from service providers – drought technical decision-making service delivery 

Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support, incorporating a range of technical specialists, is being expanded statewide to support farmers to plan and manage the impacts of difficult seasonal conditions.

Agriculture Victoria is seeking quotes to support delivery of either or both of the following 2 services across Victoria:

• one-on-one consultations
• group-based events.

RFQ for one-on-one consultations

Quotes are sought from suitably experienced and qualified service providers including contract service providers, agricultural service agencies, agricultural consultants and/or farm advisors to join a panel of consultants to deliver the one-on-one advisory service.

RFQs for group-based events

Quotes are sought from agricultural organisations including service providers, agricultural consultants, farm advisors, agriculture-specific training organisations, farmer groups or organisations to deliver publicly advertised, group-based events.

Providers may submit quotations for delivery of one or both of the above services, provided the relevant documentation is submitted for each.

Timelines and how to register

• The RFQ will be open until 11.59 pm on Monday 2 June.
• Delivery of these programs is expected to occur between June and October 2025, depending on demand and farmer needs.
• Visit the Agriculture Victoria website to download the RFQ documents.
• A recording of the Q&A webinar held on Monday 26 May is now available. To request access, email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Are your livestock fit to load?

As drought and difficult conditions continue across Victoria and livestock producers consider further destocking, Agriculture Victoria is issuing a timely reminder.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Dr Hannah Manning said it’s important to consider the condition of animals under your care before transporting them.

Indicators that an animal is not fit to load include:

• not able to walk normally or bear weight on all 4 legs. This may be due to a recent or old fracture, injury, a deformity or any other condition likely to further compromise its welfare during transport
• not strong enough to make the journey
• suffering from severe distress or injury
• in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport
• blind in both eyes
• in late pregnancy.

Resources to assist fit to load decision making and on-farm disposal of livestock are available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Find more information on drought and dry seasons support and the technical decision-making support.

Get the timing right – when to drench for liver fluke

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

In any year, it’s worth anticipating animal health issues before they emerge.
In this year’s unseasonably dry conditions, the only moist areas with a green pick remaining on many properties are in springs, swamps, drains and billabongs. 

These areas would currently be heavily grazed. Unfortunately, the same areas may contain a high concentration of the liver fluke snail.

At times like these a rapid buildup of liver fluke infestation can occur.

Liver fluke is an internal parasite that lives in the bile ducts of cattle, sheep and goats and has a complex life cycle that requires a snail called Lymnea tomentosa to be involved. 

The snail can be identified by its characteristic cone shaped shell and the spirals of the shell which rotate in a clockwise direction. Liver fluke can be treated using chemicals known as flukicides.

A question worth considering is when to strategically use those chemicals.

Flukicides should be used when needed to offset the clinical effects of a burden of liver fluke, as well as strategically to minimise pasture contamination and to most effectively kill the stage of fluke present in the stock. It should be noted that withholding periods apply.

The snail cannot survive frosty conditions so consideration should be given for giving flukicides following the first frosts.

It should be remembered that liver fluke control strategies vary by region and even property to property. 

Producers should talk to their veterinarian for specific recommendations. This will enable them to put in place an effective and economical fluke control plan for their property.

For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer.

What's On

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

Autumn/Winter Feedbase Planning in-person workshops

When: 3 June, 9:30 am to 2.30 pm
Where: 388 Logan Rd, Langi Logan (near Ararat)

When: 4 June, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club

Producers and industry stakeholders are invited to participate in a free workshop to help assess and plan feed requirements for autumn and winter under dry conditions.

Presenters: Lisa Miller and Michelle McClure, SFS

Topics

• What pasture species are surviving
• Releasing livestock from containment
• Whole pasture feed budgeting
• Options and decisions

Water Wise Workshop

When: 17 June, 9:30 am to 1 pm 
Where: The Meadows, 795 Meadows Road, Rokewood

Inviting all producers and industry stakeholders to participate in a free workshop with Clem Sturmfels, Adam Buzza from Agriculture Victoria, Southern Rural Water and Michelle McClure, Southern Farming Systems.

Exploring your water options:

• On farm water self assessment
• Water Planning
• Small Farm Dams Project
• Inspecting Small Farm Dams Project Site

Looking after your livestock, looking after you

When: 18 June, 9 am to 4 pm 
Where: Chetwynd Hall

A free workshop with Dr Julie Rowse from Healthy Mind and Soul and Dr Jane Gaussen, The Livestock Vet.

Fully catered, bookings essential.

Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Underbool, Ultima and St Arnaud

When: 30 June and 1 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm 
Where: Underbool Bowling Club, Reservoir Road, Underbool

When: 3 and 4 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm 
Where: Recreation Reserve (Ultima Football Club Rooms), Culgoa - Ultima Road, Ultima

When: 23 and 24 July, 8:30 am to 3 pm 
Where: St Arnaud Sporting Club, 26 Dunstan St, St Arnaud

This 2-day workshop will discuss and examine areas that make for an effective farm business strategy.  Topics will cover financials, farm resources, human relationships, setting business goals and the tools and skills that will get you to where you want to go. Dale Grey will be presenting Climate risk and Natural Resource Management and Brendan Williams will lead a session on the latest in Agricultural Technology. 

Drip Irrigation Monitoring and Maintenance Course

When: Wednesday 18 June, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm 
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple

Get the most out of your system and join Agriculture Victoria for a half day session on drip irrigation monitoring and maintenance aimed at maximising farm profitability and efficiency.

Cost: Free

Presenters: Jeremy Giddings (DEECA) and Peter Henry (Netafim)

Interpreting soil moisture monitoring equipment

When: Thursday 26 June, 9-11 am 
Where: Robinvale Hospital Conference Room

When: Friday 27 June, 9-11 am 
Where: 308-390 Koorlong Ave, Irymple

Agriculture Victoria, in conjunction with irrigation monitoring and management services company Green Brain (now owned by CropX), is offering a half day workshop for irrigators looking to have a greater understanding of interpreting soil moisture monitoring data.

Emissions and productivity: What farmers need to know with Cam Nicholson

When: Tuesday 15 July, 10 am — 2:30 pm
Where: Apsley Golf Club. 

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 and highlight the relationship between emissions and productivity.  

Why should farmers attend? 

New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm’s carbon emissions.  

Presenter
Cam Nicholson

Learn more on the GRDC events page.

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.

Why should farmers attend?

New legislation requires large business and financial institutions to report their carbon emissions. Many global and national businesses have signed up to voluntary targets and emissions reporting. This means there will be increasing supply-chain demand to provide your farm's carbon emissions.

Presenter
Dr Cass Schefe

Learn more on the GRDC events page.

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.

GRDC events

GRDC Farm Business Update, online – Cyber security and awareness for farm business

Thursday 12 June, 1-2 pm

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

Privacy | Disclaimer

This newsletter is distributed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe now.