Vic Labor says no to formal Greens deal

Victorian Labor has rejected a formal preference offer from the Greens but could still swap votes on a seat-by-seat basis in the upcoming state election.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews also announced a $20 million fund to help small farm businesses connect and share resources.

Mr Andrews said Labor would do no deals with the Greens, continuing his stance from the 2012 Melbourne by-election.

"They were proposing a formal, written binding partnership, comprising preferences," he told reporters on Friday.

"We would preference to them everywhere, they would preference to us everywhere.

"I have directed the state secretary to reject that in full."

Mr Andrews said the party could still swap preferences with the Greens and other minor parties on a seat-by-seat basis, to maximise the chances of kicking out the coalition government.

"Those decisions will be made consistent with our values though," he said.

In Wangaratta for a disbursement sale on his parents' farm, Mr Andrews said Labor's $20 million Food Source Victoria plan would help small farm businesses connect.

"This is about grants, particularly around research, making the best of new technology," he said.

A Labor government would create an advisory council on young farmers, bringing together experts to come up with ways to attract the next generation of farmers.

About 250 lots of cattle on the Andrews farm were auctioned off, while Mr Andrews' father Robert is in hospital battling cancer.

"This is just one of those days where I thought it was appropriate to be with my mum," Mr Andrews said.

He declined to say why the Labor candidate for Ovens Valley wasn't with him, wrapping up the press conference when asked to name her.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said Labor's promise of a $20-million fund fell well short of what the coalition government had already committed to rural Victoria.

This included a $220 million Murray Basin Rail Project - to standardise rail from Geelong to Mildura - and a $100 million Food to Asia action plan.

"Labor has no vision and no commitment to invest in growing food and fibre production in Victoria," Mr Walsh said.

He said Victoria's annual food and fibre exports had increased 56 per cent, from $7.3 billion to $11.4 billion, under the coalition government.

Gail Cholosznecki, who does not live in the electorate, is a $12 outsider with bookmakers.

Nationals MP Tim McCurdy holds the seat with a 19.2 per cent margin, and is $1.01 favourite.

The state poll takes place on November 29.