Inviting all Mansfield and surrounding regions producers to attend the free fodder field day on Wed 17 Sept to hear from well-known Frank Mickan, to help get the most out of your pasture hay or silage this spring. Frank Mickan, an industry-renowned specialist in fodder and pasture conservation, will be providing insights into producing high-quality hay and silage after some welcome rain in recent weeks. See you at 10.30 am at Mansfield Golf Club, 24 Kidston Parade, Mansfield. To register or for more info go to go.vic.gov.au/3JV97lk For more information on drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/droug… or by calling 136 186. #DroughtSupport #DrySeasons

Today the Victorian Government announced an additional $75 million in funding for drought-affected farmers. 🌱🚜 This support was informed by the Drought Taskforce and includes: ✅$35.8 million in Primary Producer Support Payments for farmers in the south west. ✅$2 million for the Country Women’s Association of Victoria to deliver household payments to people in the south west. ✅$5.9 million to extend important statewide technical decision-making support, mental health services, community events, and timely farm debt mediation. ✅A fee and duty relief package of up to $6.3 million to reduce costs linked to biosecurity and food safety regulations and duties. ✅Funding to extend existing infrastructure and secure long term water reliability. ✅$1 million for catchment management authorities to run Drought Employment Programs. Farmers across the state can access the Farm Drought Support Grants Program (previously the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Program) to fund a broader range of eligible activities, including infrastructure improvements, water carting and pasture re-establishment. Find more information on drought support: agriculture.vic.gov.au/droug… or call 136 186. #DroughtSupport #DrySeasons

🤠 Events to support farmers in drought are happening across the state. From feed budgeting to succession planning, wellbeing to irrigation tips – our teams are here to support your farming business in good times and bad! 📅 Events coming up this week include: July 3: Talking trees webinar July 3: Sheep emissions update webinar July 3: Know your number, control your future – Castlemaine July 3: Setting Strategies for Farm Business Success – Ultima July 3: Talk the Talk Service Provider Wellbeing Workshop - Colac July 4: AgCelerate workshop – Woolsthorpe July 5: Dry season – drought management support - Arthurs Creek July 9: Cultivation Connection - Cora Lynn 👉 Find events in your region at agriculture.vic.gov.au/event… Find more information about drought support: agriculture.vic.gov.au/droug… or call 136 186.   #DroughtSupport #DrySeasons #DroughtEvents

🤠 The Look Over The Farm Gate program is now open. This program provides an opportunity to bring communities together to support farmers and their families under stress. Managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government, the program offers grants of up to $5,000 for community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness. 👉 Find out more at: farmerhealth.org.au/ To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/droug… or phone 136 186.

🚜 Farmers anywhere in Victoria can register now for a one-on-one farm advisory consultation to take stock and discuss the best way forward for their business. The consultation includes a session of up to 3 hours (face to face or online) and follow-up call, to develop and implement a drought management action plan. When registering for the program, participants can indicate their preferred consultant from an extensive list of experienced service providers. 👉 To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/droug… or phone 136 186.

Bringing fodder into Victoria? We can help. Victorian farmers, transporters or importers sourcing fodder from interstate need a Plant Biosecurity Permit (PBP) to manage risks like Annual Ryegrass Toxicity, Green Snails and Red Imported Fire Ant. Agriculture Victoria is offering a FREE service to fast-track permit applications and help navigate biosecurity requirements so you can get feed delivered to your livestock safely and quickly. Apply or learn more by visiting agriculture.vic.gov.au/.../p… or email us directly at [email protected] To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought impacted farmers visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryse… or phone 136 186. #VicAg #Biosecurity #DroughtSupport #DrySeasons

🌾 The Victorian Government is providing further practical support to farmers impacted by drought across Victoria. The new $15.95 million package extends the $13.53 million drought support package announced by the Premier and Agriculture Minister on 30 September 2024, and includes: ✅ Expanded technical and decision-making support for farming businesses right across the state delivered in partnership with a range of technical specialists, to support farmers to manage the impacts of drought and increasingly difficult conditions. ✅ The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program will be extended and offered to all farmers in the West Wimmera, Horsham, Northern Grampians, Towong, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Cardinia, Casey, Bass Coast, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and Baw Baw Local Government Areas, including French Island. ✅ Continued funding for the Regional Drought Coordinator in the south west. ✅ Introduction of small business financial counselling support for the south west working in with the Rural Financial Counselling Service. To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryse… or phone 136 186. Updated guidelines for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program and technical decision-making support will be available soon. In the interim you can express your interest to Rural Finance for the grants program via [email protected] or by clicking here and for the technical decision-making support: forms.office.com/r/DgxFvUtWY…