increase font size
A flooded dairy farm in Tasmania: Neil Hargreaves film/photo.
Hundreds of dairy cows were killed and farms across Tasmania severely damaged this month in the worst flooding many farmers have ever experienced.
Major dairy regions around the state's north-west and mid-north coast were among the worst hit.
Merseylea dairy farmer Luke Bloomfield lost 300 cows.
"We've been breeding the cows for quite a while on the farm... it is heartbreaking for me. I've put in a lot of time," he told the ABC.
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) estimates losses of up to 1000 head of beef and dairy cows in the Latrobe area.
Farms near Meander, Launceston in the north-east and Ouse in the south are also badly damaged. DairyTas says 50-80 dairy farms were severely hit by the flooding, and many more are affected.
TFGA dairy council president Andrew Lester escaped major damage on his Winnaleah farm, but says others have not been as lucky.
"We got out of it with only a few fences buggered but other than that we're good. But when you get out to Latrobe it's a different story: a group of farmers there are seriously devastated; they're milking in different spots. One bloke's dairy -- the water went straight through so it's no longer operational.
"Another fella lost most of his cows; his dairy is still alright but he's only milking what he's got left.
"Another bloke is still watching his cows through binoculars; they're standing on an island out in the middle of nowhere, so that's a bit of a bugger."
Many farmers are preparing for no milk collection for a long spell because about 100 roads were closed soon after the flooding and dozens of bridges were washed away.
Animal health and feed shortages will become major problems, but Mark Smith, DairyTas, says the immediate priority is assessing damage and preparing a case for state and federal government assistance.
The farmers can get help from the Rural Relief Fund through Rural Business Tasmania. Donations can be made at www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/relief-fund
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try harder" report card on the red meat industry regarding its exports to China - particularly when compared to Australia.
More Australian states are embracing virtual fencing technology, opening growth opportunities for Kiwi companies like Halter.
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.
Farmers in the Australian state of New South Wales will soon be able to use virtual fencing and herding technology to boost farm productivity.
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
OPINION: Should cows in NZ be microchipped?
OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…
