increase font size
Tropical Cyclone Debbie caused damage to dairy farms in NSW and Queensland.
Tropical cyclone Debbie caused A$6 million damage to the Queensland dairy industry, the Queensland Farmers Federation says.
Debbie caused massive flooding in central and southeast Queensland and northern NSW in late March.
About 45 dairy farmers took severe damage in northern NSW, centred on Lismore and Muwillumbah, and about 50 in Queensland.
In some cases, dairy farms were inundated with flood water that killed animals, disrupted herd health, cut milk production and wrecked farm infrastructure.
Recent surveys show $300,000 in lost pumps, tractors and irrigation equipment; 400ha of pasture lost; 121km of fencing destroyed; 10km of internal laneways damaged; 400 round bales of hay lost; and 11 animals killed.
Floodwaters cut off farms and mains power was down for at least a fortnight after the storm.
A QFF spokesman says the cost to the state’s farms will be at least A$6m. About 60% of farms were affected in the flood-hit regions. Also, five farms in Logan City, two on the Gold Coast, and others in the Condamine and Mulgowie region were affected.
Queensland dairy farmers can apply for state and federal grants of up to A$25,000 to meet clean-up and recovery costs.
ANYTHING GOOD for Australia is in the long run good for New Zealand. That’s the reaction of Trade Minister Tim Groser to the news that Australia has signed a free trade agreement with China, and to speculation that their FTA with China is better than NZ’s, especially regarding dairy products.
Dairy farmers in the Australian state of Victoria had a record profitable 2022-23 season, thanks to high milk prices and carefully managed high costs.
OPINION: A mutilation mystery is playing out on a remote Central Queensland property in Australia after a number of cows were found dead in inexplicable circumstances.
A shrinking milk pool in Australia is forcing major processors, including Fonterra, to outbid each other and secure farmer suppliers for the new season.
OPINION: News that the Labour Government is spending taxpayer money to advertise to New Zealanders living in Australia that life is better there now they can get citizenship is appalling.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
