General News
5 September, 2025
Farmers feel drought pinch
As communities across the state struggle with drought conditions, local farmers Kev and Laura Martin join Central Goldfields Shire Council in a call for additional support.
As local farmers are “pushed to the limit” by drought conditions, Central Goldfields Shire Council are seeking further support from State Government.
Unseasonally dry weather has caused council to contact State Government for additional drought relief available in shires experiencing the toughest conditions.
The State Government are providing a $144 million Drought Support Package for farmers and communities impacted by drought statewide.
The package aims to provide targeted support where necessary while building primary producers capacity to manage drought conditions now and into the future.
In addition to existing support the package includes 15 programs with several specifically for farmers in the south west of the state experiencing the toughest conditions.
The State Government found communities in south west Victoria have had record breaking rainfall deficiency and severe drought conditions since June 2023.
However, Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said it’s unfair that extra support is available for farmers in the neighbouring Pyrenees Shire, who are included in the south west group, and not the Central Goldfields.
“I have written to the Minister for Agriculture, asking her to ensure equity and to provide the maximum possible assistance for drought-affected primary producers in the Central Goldfields Shire,” she said.
“I’ve also invited the minister to visit the Central Goldfields to meet with the council, local farmers and agribusinesses.”
According to council, Maryborough has a 19-month rainfall deficiency of 640 mm which is 21.5 percent less than the long-term mean of 815 mm.
The deficiency is similar to most of the designated south west local government areas, council claim, and higher than Hamilton (19.1 percent) and Ararat (21.3 percent).
However, the State Government’s view is the Central Goldfields have not experienced drought conditions of the same severity for as long as the south west group.
“We’re actively monitoring seasonal conditions across the state, in addition to insights from the Premiers Drought Response Taskforce to inform what further supports our farmers and regional communities may need,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.
Local farmers Laura and Kev Martin, who have been pushed to the brink by drought, said primary producers need more support.
“If we don’t get support we’re not going to be here. You have to look after the locals and the farming community,” Mr Martin said.
As the owners of Jackmar Sheep Stud they have been raising Australian White and Ultra White sheep for almost half a decade alongside broadacre farming.
“I’ve been farming all my life, born and bred around here, so I know the ups and downs of farming,” Mr Martin said.
But the financial and mental stress of having to buy feed for twice as long, at up to three times the price, is just the beginning of his worries.
“It’s the hardest year I’ve ever had in farming. It’s really pushed me to the limit,” he said.
Mr Martin explained that relying on supplementary feed had a devastating impact on their livestock, and livelihood, with 40 percent of his stud stock killed by acidosis.
“Just watching those sheep die in front of your eyes, it’s just horrific, you don’t want anyone to go through it,” he said.
“I was pretty close to going stuff it, sell everything, I couldn’t deal with it.”
Mr Martin said sheep are their livelihood, it’s how they feed their kids and send them to school, if the sheep aren’t well they miss out.
“We’ve spent six years building up this stud to get the best quality stock as we can and then to lose them in these conditions is just terrible.”
They encourage the community to support local primary producers by buying Australian and local where they can.
To view the full range of drought support available to impacted farmers visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
Anyone experiencing emotional distress, or knows someone who is, can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.