Farmers and farming small business owners can meet the RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) team at this year’s 62nd Annual Wimmera Machinery Field Days, at Longerenong in western Victoria, to learn more about the Australian Government’s national low-interest loan program for farmers financially impacted by drought or natural disasters such as bushfires and for first farmers and succession planning seeking their own business.
RIC Agri Lending Manager Mitch Adermann said the RIC team is pleased to be back at the Wimmera Field Days and encourages the community to drop by, have a chat, and find out how RIC loans could support farmer businesses facing challenging times in their region.
“Farmers face all kinds of challenges and unforeseen impacts like the recent bushfires which can cause a significant financial impact. Whether managing through drought, recovering or preparing for the next drought, RIC concessional loans are designed to help them get through tough times and back on their feet,” Mr Adermann said.
“RIC loans offer a pathway into owning a farm business as a first farmer seeking to establish a business through a property purchase, agistment or share leasing as well as supporting succession planning arrangements.
“After many difficult drought years and a particularly tough start to 2026 with devastating bushfires in the region, we’ll be on the ground Wimmera Machinery Field Days and keen to talk to those farmers who may be experiencing financially tough times.
“RIC low-cost loans help to improve cash flow delivering funds directly into the pockets of farmers in financial need so it’s well worth a conversation,” he said.
Find the RIC team in the Moore Exhibition Centre from 3 – 5 March 2026. RIC will also host a free information session on its loans with the Rural Financial Counselling Service Vic West at 11am on Thursday 5 March in the Country Lifestyle Pavillion.
In the seven years since RIC began, more than 3,500 loans have been settled for Australian farmers and farming businesses valued at over $3.75 billion at as 31 January 2026 including nearly 430 loans for Victorian farmers valued at over $385 million.
For more information on RIC loans visit www.ric.gov.au/loans
Media contact: E media@ric.gov.au | M 0435 168 885
About RIC
RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) is an Australian Government farm business lender providing low-interest loans for farmers and farm-related small businesses in financial need to strengthen Australian agriculture. RIC loans can be used for management, recovery and future proofing following severe business disruption due to drought, natural disasters, biosecurity issues or other significant market events.
RIC loans can also help farm businesses to establish farm businesses for first generation farmers or succession planning for next generation farmers. Since 1 July 2018 RIC has approved more than 3,500 loans valued at over $3.75 billion as at 31 January 2026.