Victorian farmers impacted by drought and dry seasonal conditions will have access to more support, with two support funds from the Andrews Labor Government now open.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today announced the Labor Government’s $2 million Pasture Recovery and Management Grant Program to back drought-affected farm businesses in East Gippsland and Wellington shires.
The Pasture Recovery Grants provide support of up to $5000 on a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution basis, for activities associated with pasture recovery and restoration due to the extended dry conditions.
The grants can be used for seed and fertiliser costs, ground cover establishment, planting shelterbelts, desilting works on dams, upgrades to stock containment areas, professional pasture restoration planning advice and other professional services used for pasture restoration.
The Labor Government’s Farm Support Fund is also now open, which is being delivered through an expansion to the Farm Business Assistance program to include farmers in Northern and North West Victoria who are most at risk of financial stress from ongoing dry conditions.
The program will be available to Farm Household Allowance recipients in 20 eligible Local Government Areas in Northern and North-West Victoria, providing one-off payments of $2,500. These grants, as well as other Labor Government drought support programs, are being administered by Rural Finance.
Agriculture Victoria is also conducting an phone/online seminar on ‘Pasture recovery after rain’ for beef and sheep producers affected by difficult seasonal conditions on Monday 15 April at 8pm. For more information about drought support, please visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
“The Pasture Recovery grants are vital for farmers in Wellington and East Gippsland to minimise the damage these extended dry conditions have done to their paddocks, and future-proof them for years to come.”
“We are giving support and financial assistance to farmers in Northern Victoria who have been hit hardest by climate and rising farm costs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020