Last day to lodge flood grant bids

FARMER flood recovery grant applications close today.

The State Government says more than 4500 support payments have already been processed to farmers impacted by the 2022-2023 floods and storms, providing relief to primary producers across Victoria.

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney said $130 million in Primary Producer Flood Recovery and Rural Landholder grants had been claimed, with the initiative part of the broader Primary Producer Flood Recovery Package announced last October.

She said the grants had provided vital support for clean-up, relief and recovery costs for primary producers who suffered direct loss or damage as a result of the floods and storms. Among Loddon farmers to receive a recovery grant had been Canary Island sheep producers Greg and Jo Bear.

Agriculture Victoria said their grant was to combat weeds and build new fences after their pastures were severely impacted and five kilometres of fencing was lost or damaged.

Through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Australian and Victorian Governments have also provided mental health and wellbeing support to the National Centre for Farmer Health and the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

Financial support from the Primary Producer Flood Recovery Package will remains open until 4 pm today.

First national farm crime survey

LIVESTOCK theft in Victoria has hit a 10year high and Victorian Farmers’ Federation wants farmers to be part of the first national farm crime survey in two decades.

The survey has been commissioned by the University of New England and aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of all farm crime across Australia.

VFF president Emma Germano said livestock theft in Victoria last year cost farmers $6.7 million.

“Whether it be theft involving livestock, farm equipment or property damage and illegal trespass, farm crime has an enormous financial impact and can be a terrifying experience for farming families and staff, which can’t be tolerated,”

Ms Germano said results of the survey would be used to advocate for greater resources and awareness campaigns to combat farm crime. “It’s so important that as many Victorian farmers as possible take part in the survey.”

Sheep Market

ANOTHER small winter yarding of just 4450 lambs and 1270 sheep for the rarity of Bendigo yarding on Monday, less than 6000 head for two consecutive weeks.

Demand improved with nearly a full field of buyers attending despite the small numbers.

Prices for trade and heavy lambs lifted by $10 to $20 per head, some pens showing rises of up to $30 on the suppressed rates of recent weeks.

Overall most decent processing lambs rallied to trend between 560c to 620c/kg cwt.

Results for light and secondary lambs were more varied, with bidding still selective on plain and mixed lots.

The smallest and most secondary Merinos sold down to $9. Export lambs over 30kg cwt sold from $179 to a top of $205 as rates lifted to between an estimated 570c to 620c/kg cwt for most.

Heavy 26-30kg lambs $154 to $186, with the main fat score 3 and 4 category crossbreds averaging over 600c/kg cwt.

The lead of the trade lambs $135 to $159 to reach up to 660c/kg cwt; plainer trades $104 to $130 with those with limited fat cover still pegged at 500c to 550c/kg at times.

Light lambs were very mixed for breed

G ra IN

Boort Grain Co-op prices Monday.

Wheat – H1 $388 FIS. H2 $358 FIS. APW1 $341.50 FIS. ASW $341.50 FIS. AGP1 $340 FIS.

SFW1 $340 FIS. FED1 $313 FIS.

Barley - PL1 $318 FIS. SP1 $318 FIS. Bar1 $278 FIS. Bar2 $267 FIS. Bar3 $247 FIS. Bar4 $227 FIS.