Farmers go through heartbreaking task of assessing stock losses
Farmers are being tasked with the heartbreaking task of either putting stock down or scrambling to find new homes for them in the wake of the Adelaide Hills bushfire.
SA Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Firefighters battle for control
- Volunteer firefighters give up Christmas to keep people safe
- How you can help
The damage bill to the Adelaide Hills wine industry from the region’s bushfire could top $100 million.
Adelaide Hills Wine Region executive officer Kerry Treuel said 30 per cent of the region’s plantings were in the fire area, with damage to individual wineries varying greatly.
“For some, the vines are completely gone and will need to be replanted, and we know it’s a four to five-year cycle from planting to producing wine,” she said.
“For other people, their vines have been singed, so they won’t get a crop this year. We’re probably looking at $100 million in losses, including the flow-on effects from the fire.”
Ms Treuel said her association was working closely with the State Government and the 60-plus affected growers to assess the damage.
She said smoke taint was not expected to be a major issue, like it was in the Sampson Flat fire when grapes were close to harvest.
Ms Treuel urged consumers to throw their support behind the affected producers.
Cherry Growers SA and Apple & Pear Growers Association of SA chief executive Susie Green said at least six orchards had been lost.
Thousands of livestock were also lost in the Adelaide Hills bushfire, while those with healthy animals are scrambling to find new homes for them.
Others have the horrendous task of having to put down injured animals.
Woodside farmer and livestock consultant Lincoln Powell said the cost to the state’s agriculture sector would be significant, with 1000 sheep having to be put down in the Harrogate area alone.
Mental health of farmers is also a major concern. “I pulled over when I was driving because I saw one farmer sitting by the side of the road crying,” Mr Powell said.
“The task ahead was just so overwhelming, he didn’t know where to start.”
Mr Powell said it could take up to a month to assess the true extent of injuries to livestock because some are likely to have sustained internal smoke damage.
He said having adequate hay stocks would be the big issue now.
“On my farm alone I’ve lost 180 round bales of hay.”
Mr Powell said people were starting to get livestock out of the Hills, with some going to Tarlee in the state’s Mid North and others to Victoria.
Woodside farmer Stephen Radeski said help from other farmers with their own firefighting units helped to save his home, but the rest of his property was lost in the blaze.
“I was down to 20 head of cattle, which thankfully survived the fire,” he said.
“There’s no fencing left, so the cattle were wandering down the Bird in Hand Rd.”
Primary producers seeking urgent assistance, or those wishing to donate hay and feed, can call the State Government’s 24-hour hotline on 1800 255 556.