Flood and storm impacts in late 2022

In late 2022 high rainfall onto saturated catchments in Victoria caused widespread inundation of farming land, resulted in flooding across Victoria, particularly in the northern catchments. Subsequent localised storm events have caused further impacts particularly in broadacre and fruit growing regions.

Agriculture Victoria has an Agriculture Recovery Team in operation to provide information and support to Victorian producers farmers dealing with the ongoing impacts of these floods and storms.

Agricultural impacts

As at 9 December, more than 28,000 outbound telephone calls were made to farmers impacted by flooding to assess flood damage and address any animal welfare issues.

Damage and loss impacts as at 9 December 2022

Impact measuredNumber at 9 Dec 2022
Livestock deaths15,662
Livestock missing1,937
Fencing damaged (kilometres)12,000
Hay or silage destroyed (tonnes)153,850
Stored grain lost (tonnes)5,120
Pasture lost (hectares)168,703
Field crops lost (hectares) 218,640
Total farm area affected (hectares) 498,629
Perished beehives 1,164
Beehives requiring feeding 2,074
Honey flow losses – actual (tonnes) 208
Page last updated: 25 Jan 2024