VICTORIA'S peak farm body says it is shocked by the destruction caused by the state's worst ever bushfires and have asked for urgent support for bushfire victims.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Simon Ramsay said country Victorians ahd lost their lives and livelihoods.

He said the toll on farmers had been high with tens of thousands of stock, assets and farm infrastructure destroyed.

“The VFF is undertaking its usual role in assisting with the emergency relief effort following the fires over the weekend,” Mr Ramsay said.

“The federation has activated its network of members, volunteers and staff across the State to help in recovery work.

“The weeks and months ahead will see the VFF working with farmers on the ground in the collection and distribution of fodder, coordination of agistment and reconstruction of fencing and other critical farm infrastructure.

“We are asking for urgent support for bushfire victims.

“Plans are already underway to phone every member in the fire affected areas and it is likely that we will have the first loads of hay being delivered to these areas by tomorrow morning.

“Victorian farmers have already received offers of assistance from farmer organisations around the country including from New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and even from Tasmanian farmers who will be sending a shipload of hay.”

He said it was likely to be hard to source fodder from within Victoria and all interstate assistance was “very welcome”.