New initiative launched to help drought-stricken farmers
One of the nation’s biggest agribusinesses has partnered with the VFF to help unveil a new drought support co-ordinator role. See the details.
A dedicated drought support adviser will be bankrolled in Victoria in a partnership between the state’s farm representative body and one of the nation’s biggest agribusinesses.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking revealed at its livestock conference on Thursday that a new drought support co-ordinator would be funded by Nutrien Ag Solutions, as the drought footprint widens across the state.
Mr Hosking said farmers statewide had called for greater administrative support over applying for drought grants and organising events linked with the big dry,
He said the Victorian Drought Support Program would allow the VFF to employ a dedicated drought support adviser to help farmers access the help they need.
“There’s a lot of demand out there for a one-stop shop — farmers need a central point that they can contact on drought assistance,” Mr Hosking said.
Nutrien Ag Solutions western Victoria general manager David Wood said the agribusiness was keen to work with the VFF to provide on-the-ground support for primary producers, following more than 12 months of drought across parts of Victoria.
More information is available from the VFF website.
Drought was a key theme at the 2025 livestock conference, held in Bendigo, with National Centre for Farmer Health director Alison Kennedy giving the keynote speech.
Dr Kennedy told the audience the growing awareness over mental health in agriculture had improved over the past decade, but more work was needed as the drought lingered into winter.
“There are many, many factors that can influence the state of our mental health and there’s a greater understanding that one particular factor doesn’t determine our health — it’s not just work, or drought, or finances, or our physical health. It’s all those factors and more,” she said.
Other speakers at the VFF conference included Wool Producers Association chief Jo Hall, Australian Meat Industry Council chief Tim Ryan and the University of Melbourne’s Animal Welfare Science Centre director Lauren Hemsworth.
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