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Thursday 7 August 2025
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 recently Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced 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.
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.
‘In similar conditions to this year, the Weed Managers Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) trialled urea test strips on a fertile annual ryegrass paddock in the Upper Murray. Urea was applied in early July and late August 2024 using 2 different rates, 75 kg/ha and 100 kg/ha.’
Pasture growth and accumulation were measured 6 weeks after each application.
Mr Linden said where there was no urea applied, daily pasture growth rates through July and into August averaged 5 kg DM/ha/day; typical for mid-winter pasture growth.
‘Pasture growth rates increased with urea applications and were greatest at the higher urea rate (100 kg/ha of urea), however, the higher rate did not give the best cost/benefit.
‘We found that a 75 kg/ha urea application lifted pasture growth rates to 17kg DM/ha/day, and the 100 kg application lifted growth rates to 23 kg DM/ha/day, compared to 5 kg DM/ha/day without urea.
‘This increase in pasture growth rate and subsequent availability represented the difference between a pasture that would not maintain weaners or lactating stock and one that would fully feed either stock class.’
Learnings from the urea application trial include:
- Select a pasture that has sufficient leaf area, is not lacking in fertility or soil moisture and has a high proportion of desirable species.
- Applying urea early, when the pasture is growing, provided increased early growth and higher residual growth rates in late winter/early spring.
- An early application of 75 kg/ha urea in midwinter delivered the best cost/benefit.
- Later application delivered little difference in growth between 100 kg/ha and 75 k/ha of urea, especially when growth rates had increased due to higher temperatures and longer days.
- In all cases, the energy cost from additional feed grown using urea was cheaper than the cost of energy if sourcing grain or hay.
More information on the trial can be found on our website.
The EverGraze Nitrogen Tool can estimate the profitability of using nitrogen.
This trial was part of the Weed Managers Producer Demonstration Site funded by Meat & Livestock Australia and supported by Agriculture Victoria.
Find more information about available drought support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
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.
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.
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 recently announced 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.
Landholders will also be able to generate additional income through timber production, including from harvested wood products or use the timber for on-farm uses such as firewood and fence posts.
An additional grants program – the Trees on Farms Incubator Program – is offering planting service providers and forestry professionals up to $50,000 to support landowners who might be contemplating planting trees on their property.
This service will help landowners develop tailored, implementation-ready project plans to align with their property and planting goals, while providing education, training and upskilling for tree planting and management activities.
Help with feed budgeting
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.
Mia Mia farmer pleads guilty to animal welfare and traceability offences
A Mia Mia farmer pleaded guilty to 7 animal welfare and traceability offences recently at Kyneton Magistrates’ Court.
Michael Pryor, an absentee owner and person in charge of a small herd, pleaded guilty to charges which occurred between January 2024 and September 2024.
The charges sit under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.
Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare compliance manager Daniel Bode said Mr Pryor was sentenced without conviction and fined an aggregate amount in the sum of $7,000 with an order to pay $454.74 in costs.
Agriculture Victoria officers responded to a complaint at a property in Mia Mia on which cattle owned by Mr Pryor were being kept.
‘Of a herd of 12 cattle, the majority were suffering from extremely low body condition,’ Mr Bode said.
Agriculture Victoria officers also found a cow with her leg caught in a wire fence. It had been recumbent for at least 48 hours and was euthanised to prevent further pain and suffering.
Through further investigation it was found there were National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) breaches.
Backing the heart of agriculture through grants
Victorian agricultural and pastoral societies will receive greater support from the Victorian Government to upgrade infrastructure and participate in regional shows.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the opening of applications for this year’s Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program, helping organisations with projects that encourage community involvement and promote Victoria’s rich agriculture industry.
The grants provide successful applicants with up to $10,000 to support infrastructure development and upgrades to celebrate Victoria’s agricultural communities, industries and produce.
The grants can be used to upgrade or establish new facilities, enhance public amenities, improve essential infrastructure, improve business management activities, biosecurity planning and promote reporting of livestock movements.
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 wins at Sheepvention
A big congratulations to our own Greg Bekker who won first prize at Sheepvention's 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 here farmers can use DAMDEEP to determine how much water they have in their dams.
Farmers can get help with water planning by booking a one-on-one session with a specialist from our panel of farm advisors at https://go.vic.gov.au/452dHXb
Find more info about drought support: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
What's On
Details about these events and more can be found on our website.
Whole farm planning online 6-week course
When: starting 12 August
Where: online over 6 weeks
Cost: free
Agriculture Victoria and the Glenelg Hopkins CMA invite farmers and their families to participate in an online (via Zoom) whole farm planning course during August and September.
Topics:
- farm design and layout
- soils and land classing
- pasture and grazing management
- farm water supply
- farm business planning
- tree growing and biodiversity
- adapting to a changing climate.
PIC NEEDED: Please update your Property Identification Code (PIC) before registering for this course
The A to Z of livestock health during drought and beyond - Freshwater Creek
Attend an in-depth and free presentation covering all aspects of livestock health for cattle and sheep during drought. It is presented by The Bellarine & Surf Coast Beef.
When: Tuesday 19 August from 10 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Freshwater Creek Community Hall 445 Dickins Rd, Freshwater Creek
Here and now workshop: Warrnambool
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.
Planning your feedbase, water and nutrient value – Warrnambool
When: Thursday 21 August from 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.
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.
Email Noni Brislin 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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