Homicide detectives are appealing for new information about a Victorian man who was found dead at a rural property near Ballarat, on what would have been his 90th birthday.

Kenny Handford was last seen on Sunday and his home had been disturbed in what homicide detectives believed was a search for valuables.

Detective Inspector Mick Hughes of the homicide squad said the man was very active and still worked occasionally on the farm at Springbank, east of Ballarat.

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He pleaded for anyone with information about the incident to come forward to police.

“This is a very tight knit farming community, I think the secret lies in the community,” Det Insp Hughes said on Wednesday.

“People often know who is moving in and out, and we’re relying on people to come forward.”

Kenny Handford was found dead on his 90th birthday. Photo: Victoria Police

He reinforced that the house had not been ransacked, but but someone “had certainly been through it”.

“It does appear some items in the house have been disturbed by someone looking for valuables or jewellery.”

The neighbour made the grim discovery of Mr Handford about 1.25pm on Tuesday.

Det Insp Hughes wouldn’t confirm any injuries but media reports suggested the man may have been tied up with a piece of cord.

Mr Handford was seen in Ballarat on Sunday and was last seen at a neighbour’s home at about 11am that day, where he went for a cup coffee.

Det Insp Hughes said, according to neighbours, he was a well-known and popular member of the community.

The man’s son, who lives in Victoria, and his daughter, who lives interstate, have been informed and are travelling to the property.

“There is no sign of forced entry to the house but it’s a country property. That’s not unusual,” Det Insp Hughes said.

An autopsy will determine the cause of the man’s death.

– with AAP