By HEATH COOK, ADF DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Dairy farmers across New South Wales and South-East Queensland face a long road to recovery after recent flooding. Almost three years of stress from fires, drought, and pandemic-related workforce issues have seen the recent floods place enormous mental and financial strain on farmers.
At least 290 farms have been affected. Accounts of damage and losses include 200-head herds wiped out, infrastructure and machinery swept away by floodwater, kilometres of fencing ripped from the earth – with winter crops, fertiliser and fodder being collateral damage.
Stories of heroism abound, of farmers working tirelessly to rescue people and livestock alike. In the aftermath though, it is keeping herds fed that is proving to be a daily challenge.
There has been a significant toll on animal health, with conditions such as lameness and mastitis becoming prevalent. Exhausted, distressed and undernourished, cows that would usually produce 20-30 litres daily are giving barely a trickle.
Cold, wet weather has scythed its way through calf populations. Rescuing heifers and cows sunk deep in mud is a daily event. Costs are likely to be in the range of hundreds of millions.
Many farms are not only experiencing stock feed issues but fuel shortages, phone and internet outages.
Dairy Australia is working with government, industry bodies and emergency response services to provide aid services. Flood-affected farmers and land managers can call the Department of Primary Industries’ hotline on 1800 814 647 to request assistance for emergency fodder, aerial surveillance and veterinary assistance.
Emergency fodder distribution centres have been set up in Casino, Alstonville, Grafton and Coraki, and reimbursement for emergency fodder freight has been made available by the Rural Assistance Authority in New South Wales. Need for Feed, a volunteer service coordinated by Lions International is also supplying fodder.
Farmer welfare and mental health is a priority. After prolonged strain, there is a real risk of farmers leaving the industry. Dairy Australia encourages farmers to make use of recovery centres, as well as grant application support for flood recovery services. Grants of $25,000 are available for small farmers, and up to $75,000 for primary producers. Zita Ritchie at NSW DPI is managing New South Wales support, with Belinda Haddow at Subtropical Dairy supporting farmers from affected areas in Queensland.
One-off disaster payments have been announced by the federal government, available to farmers from 80 local government areas across New South Wales and Queensland, to help with livestock assessment, veterinary support, euthanasia and burial costs. Funds are also being released to fast-track road repair.
Norco Cooperative has been severely impacted by the floods, particularly the Norco ice cream factory, feed mill and two rural stores. The federal government, in partnership with the New South Wales government, has announced a business support package to help restore operations and assist with ongoing employment.
The floods, like other disasters from recent years, have highlighted challenges facing the dairy industry. Not limited to animal welfare and human mental health impacts, increasing instances of fire, drought and flooding could see insurance premiums rise to untenable levels for some farmers. These risks need to be addressed in a long-term manner, as implications carry on long after acute events – as demonstrated by the long tail of mental hardship, cow health issues and financial strain that has followed these floods.
Any rise in prices for dairy foods on retail shelves at this time may likely be a necessity for ensuring dairy farmers make it through these challenges and stay on their land with their mental health intact.
Now, more than ever, our beloved northern industry needs to know that we ‘have its back’.
Moving forward, we recognise that insurance will be a challenge, and let me assure every farmer affected by the floods that ADF will be working on this issue with representatives from the insurance industry.
At meetings of the National Coordination Mechanism, attended by the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, and the Director General of Emergency Management Australia, Joe Buffone, ADF has represented the national dairy industry’s interests.
If retail prices for dairy products increase, one of the reasons will be the floods. If this happens, please tell everyone that the increase is an absolutely necessity to ensure flood-affected farmers survive this disaster.