STRONG farmer subscription to the Victorian State Government’s stock containment grant program has led to the Government allocating an extra $100,000 in funding to its initial $500,000 commitment.
The new State Government funding is additional to the $27 million drought response packaged, announced in November. Growers can apply for grants of up to $2000 to establish stock containment areas to finish animals, value adding to both livestock and grain.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Peter Tuohey said the program represented an example of drought funding, which allows farmers to help themselves. “In a drought there is a lot of grain that can be difficult to market, but is good to finish livestock with,” Mr Touhey said.
Livestock group president Ian Feldtmann said the VFF would continue to lobby to have the funds released beyond the boundaries of the four applicable Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).
