Flood-affected farmers in NSW are benefiting from helicopters dropping emergency fodder to stranded livestock
The New South Wales government is using helicopters to provide isolated farmers with emergency fodder drops for their stranded livestock, as part of support for flood-affected farms across the Mid-North Coast, North Coast and Hunter.
As of May 24, there had already been 43 helicopter aerial drops of fodder, and nearly 131 emergency fodder drops by other means.
“This extreme weather event has ended up being more impactful than thought possible and I want to praise the work of farmers for all their efforts in protecting their livestock as well as they have,” NSW agriculture minister Tara Moriarty says.
“Unfortunately, the rain and flooding has caused a lot of damage and taken many animals with it.”
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with Local Land Services teams as the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA), that is managing the agricultural and animal welfare hotline and its response activities.
The AASFA operation is providing farmers with emergency fodder in cases of immediate animal welfare concern, aerial support for isolated or stranded livestock, and fodder drops to farmers in the Hunter and other areas affected.
Through the AASFA emergency hotline, farmers and community members can make requests for carcass disposal and report deceased livestock, either on properties or that have been transported by floodwaters off properties and into community spaces.
Correct management of deceased or unwell livestock after a natural disaster can distress to owners and the public while minimising the impact on the environment and can reduce the risks to human and animal health through the spread of disease.
Impacted farmers can call the AASFA hotline on 1800 814 647 (8am to 6pm, seven days a week).