Wednesday, 29 June 2016 10:55

Tassie floods a heart-break for many

Written by  Peter Burke
A flooded dairy farm in Tasmania: Neil Hargreaves film/photo. 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 

More like this

Unreal hot air

OPINION: The Hound is perplexed about some of the over-the-top climate catastrophising by mainstream media outlets during the holidays.

FTA good for Aussies and for us – Groser

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.

Record profit for Victorian farmers

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.

Optimism grows

HorticultureNZ chair Barry O'Neil believes the mood in the sector is more positive than it's been all year.

Aliens have landed

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.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter