Angus Verley

1 day ago | abc.net.au | Angus Verley

The effects of drought creep insidiously into every corner of the Edenhope community. It is like many towns throughout southern Australia suffering greatly at the whim of the weather. Farmers, local businesses and sports clubs — none are immune to a prolonged dry as bad as any can recall. Parched paddocks and dry dams mean farmers are spending tens of thousands of dollars buying feed, carting water and sinking bores, or selling off livestock they can not afford to feed.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Warwick Long |Jane McNaughton |Angus Verley

The Victorian Country Hour visits drought-affected Mortlake in the south west of the state to hear about the dry conditions and how farmers and local businesses are coping. Guests included:Local Moyne Shire Councillors Myra Murrahy and Jim Doukas they say many community members are reaching out, their main role is advocacy for the community who are facing financial ruin. The Council on Tuesday brought an urgent motion to classify drought as a natural disaster similar to fires and floods.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Warwick Long |Angus Verley

Angus Verley and Warwick Long travel to Charam in western Victoria to Elise Kealy's farm to discuss the drought with local farmers. 25km from Edenope Elise Kealy's only got a fourteenth ofthe required feed for her sheep, so they have been feeding. She said they can't source hay anywhere, but grain is available. Its unprecedented on their property to have two years of drought in a row.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Angus Verley

An Australian Property Institute report reveals farmland in western Victoria has increased in value by 800 per cent over the last 20 years. Agricultural property values increased by 256 per cent over the last 20 years, compared to 154 per cent for housing, the report found. A real estate agent and a farmer doubt the growth recorded is sustainable. Farmland has increased in value more than any other Australian property type over the last two decades, a report has found.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Angus Verley |Lara Webster

Farmers have been forced to topple their fertiliser silos after the product set hard inside. Grower group Grain Producers Australia says it has received numerous reports of quality problems with fertiliser this year. Fertiliser suppliers have distanced themselves from the problem, saying they recommend against storing the product in silos.