Rural & Agriculture
12 May, 2026
Fox bounty extended as $84 million flows to agriculture
LAST week’s state budget will deliver $84 million to support agricultural industries. The budget includes $62 million provided in response to the January 2026 bushfires for primary producers and agricultural sectors, including through primary producer grants, concessional loans and emergency fodder support. And in a popular move with farmers, the fox bounty will continue for another year.
The government is also providing $5.9 million for programs that support the health, safety and wellbeing of our farmers and agricultural communities including funding for the National Centre for Farmer Health and for the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Another $5 million has been budgeted to support farmers with reducing emissions on their farms
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said she was particularly pleased that the budget also includes $2.2 million to extend the Fox Bounty program to manage the impact of livestock predation.
“I know how many farmers rely on that fox bounty program and to incentivise people to go out and shoot as many foxes as they possible can and get a bit of money for it so $2.2 million to extend that program in the state budget is a really good outcome will help protect out livestock,” Ms Haylett said.
Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle said the government has backed Victorian farmers with more than $146.5 million as part of our Drought Support Package.
“This investment is supporting our farmers and communities to stay resilient and overcome drought conditions.
“We’re also investing $7.6 million in biosecurity, protecting the future of our agriculture industries.
“We’re backing our farmers through tough times, helping them recover from bushfires and drought, grow their businesses, and protecting them from predators and biosecurity threats,” Ms Settle said.
The Victorian Farmers Federation said the budget leaves unanswered questions for the state’s multi-billion dollar agriculture industry.
VFF Acting President Peter Star said many in the regions would be disappointed at the lack of clarity surrounding key regional issues.
“The Budget has been sold as Victoria’s vision for the future, but is lacking when it comes to detail for regional Victoria.”
“The agriculture industry contributes more than $22 billion annually to the Victorian economy. The government’s $84 million investment to support farmers and agricultural industries must be dramatically increased and we need a roadmap to grow and build for the future,” Mr Star said.