Wednesday, 21 March 2012 10:14

Aussie floods cause feed shortages

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FLOOD-STRUCK farmers in southeast Australia are struggling to provide feed for livestock.

Farmer organisations are asking members to donate feed and Federal Government has pitched in promising to reimburse freight costs incurred by donors.

Record rain in southern NSW and northern Victoria early this month followed huge falls in southeast Queensland late last month. Gippsland, east Victoria, was also hit.

The National Farmers Federation estimates damage in northern Victoria and southern NSW alone could top A$1 billion. It is the third major flood to the area in 18 months.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Andrew Broad says it's using its existing network of members and local farmers to source quality fodder. It is not currently seeking fodder donations from across the state.

"If we can find locally sourced fodder of high quality, it's much better for stressed livestock because it's rich in nutrients and it's what they're used to eating. We'd also like to avoid the spread of weeds between regions," says Broad.  The VFF has been granted limited funds by the Department of Primary Industries to reimburse donors' freight costs.

In New South Wales, the NSW Farmers Association has teamed up with Blazeaid, in an effort to provide volunteer support to struggling farmers.

They're calling on handy-men and women who are willing to remove debris from paddocks and generally volunteer to help repair damaged farms.

NSW Farmers Association president Fiona Simpsons says she's already been inundated with calls and offers of support.

"It will take a long time for farmers to recover from these floods and ongoing support will be much appreciated."

Simpson says floods are still impending in some areas, as water from affected areas continues to head downstream.

"Farmers around the Hay area in Western NSW will see flooding in late March." But the spate won't reach Balranald until early April.

The floods have affected markets, Meat and Livestock Australia saying livestock supplies will be largely dependent upon roads and access to paddocks for mustering. Markets are expected to be distorted for "a number of weeks," it warns.

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