VICTORIAN farmers have been excluded from gaining full access to the State Government's $3000 drought grants.

Farmers who applied for just a few hundred dollars of the $3000 available last season have discovered they are ineligible to apply again.

Murray Dairy chief executive Natalie Akers said farmers were calling with complaints that they had been excluded, when they had only used part of the grant last year, some as little as $250.

"Many farmers who thought the grant was announced under the same criteria as last year, have gone out and purchased items and now find they are ineligible," Ms Akers said.

Under the grant scheme, the Government matches whatever amount a farmer spends on silos, hay rings, irrigation upgrades or other infrastructure, up to a maximum of $3000.

However, the Government's eligibility criteria outlined on the Rural Finance Corporation's website states: "an applicant who has already received support under the previous on-farm productivity improvement grants program is not eligible for further assistance."

Ms Akers said some farmers had staggered their grant claims, given it only covers half the cost.

"Farmers wanted to pay the full cost of the item and then claim the grant back later," Ms Akers said.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Simon Ramsay said the RFC had been unsuccessful in gaining Department of Primary Industries support for applicants to re-apply until they reached the $3000 limit.

VFF Grains group councillor Geoff Kendell, who used the full $3000 grant to buy silos, said others should be able do the same.

"I believe you should be able to re-apply up to the full $3000," Mr Kendell said. "It's something we should take back to the VFF."

Mr Ramsay said he didn't have people beating down his door on the issue, but urged farmers to raise the matter at a series of VFF video-linked drought forums, which are due to be held across the state from the middle of next month.

A Government spokesman said the rules around the grant program had been established to ensure as many farmers as possible gained access to the grants.

Last season, the Government set aside $10 million to fund grant applications, which a Rural Finance spokesman said was almost fully subscribed.

However, during even worse drought conditions this season, the Government has allocated just $6 million to the program.

The grants have been made available to farmers in 25 shires across northern Victoria as well as irrigators in the Bacchus Marsh and Werribee districts.