Lismore floods: At least 20 dairy farmers properties in “critical” condition

Receding floodwaters expose cow carcasses littering the yard of a Lismore dairy farm. WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGES

A group of at least 20 dairy farmers, who lost all or part of their herds in the Northern Rivers Region floods, will need far more than the one-off $75,000 grants that the Federal and NSW Governments have put on the table, says the EastAUSMilk advocacy group.

“These farmers need major assistance, not just the $75,000, if they’re going to stay in the industry,” EastAUSMilk vice-president Graham Forbes said. “Otherwise they will exit.”

Evidence of the “critical” damage done to farms can be seen in images farmers are sending through, as they chip in to help each other through the crisis.

At Paul Weir’s property dead dairy cows litter yards, while his neighbour Greg McNamara helps out by milking what’s left of the Weirs’ herd.

The Weirs had half their 300 dairy cows swept away in the floods.

Nightmare exposed: Dead dairy cows on Paul Weir’s property near Lismore. Picture: Supplied

Some farmers’ cows have been recovered, but the bloated carcasses of others have washed up in Lismore or been swept down the Richmond River towards Ballina and the sea.

One cow washed up on to the veranda of a Lismore auto business, marking the high water mark of the floods.

NORCO director Heath Cook took the image as he drove into Lismore on Friday morning to visit the dairy co-operative’s headquarters.

A dairy cow was found on the veranda of a Lismore auto business mark this morning. WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGE

Mr Cook said every Australian needed to see the extent of the damage, from which he feared some residents would never recover.

As one of the town’s biggest employers NORCO is reeling from the impact of four to five metres of water washing through critical processing lines in its ice-cream factory, which was undergoing a $30m upgrade and the decommissioning of its feed mill.

Out on farms Mr Cook said farmers urgently needed fodder, diesel, generators and pumps, plus help to clear away cattle carcasses.

He said one couple were really struggling after their farm had been completely inundated, while another was “camping on the roof of the dairy in a tent”.

“We got a generator to him last night, so he could start milking,” Mr Cook said.

Mr Forbes said unlike other sectors dairy farmers needed regular cash flow “otherwise they’re stuffed”.

He said it would take months for farmers to clean up, re-fence and rebuild dairies, pastures and fodder reserves.

In the meantime federal and state ministers are cranking up flood support, with NSW Northern Rivers Region farmers able to access $75,000 grants from today by calling 13 77 88.

Work is underway to roll out similar grants to Queensland farmers in the Lockyer Valley, Gympie and the Beaudesert regions.

There appears to have been some delay in rolling out the grants in Queensland, as the state government must sign off on covering half the cost.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie was due to join two roundtable meetings today, the first to discuss transport and removing supply chain barriers to get fuel and food into flood affected communities, after which she will sit down with agricultural industry leaders to discuss farmer needs and what support can be given to other players along the supply chain such as NORCO.

Disposing of cattle carcasses has also become a priority as floodwaters subside, with the NSW Environment Protection Authority working with farmers and the state’s Department of Primary Industries.

What’s left: Cows that survived the flood at the Weirs’ dairy farm near Lismore. Picture: Supplied

Further north in Queensland, farmers in the state’s southeast are seeking support to clean up properties and fencing.

BlazeAid national operations manager Melissa Jones said she was trying to set up camps in the Lockyer Valley, Gympie and the Beaudesert regions, having already secured a site in Casino, NSW, which would be sending out fencing teams on Monday.

“We need volunteers and donations, which have really dropped of with Covid,” Ms Jones said.

Donations can be made to BlazeAid HERE.

Other groups offering support include Drought Angels, with farmers able get relief payments of $1500 by calling 07 4662 7371 or by filling in the form HERE, while donations can be made HERE.

The Queensland and NSW Government is also asking farmers to fill out damage assessment forms to help them direct assistance, they can be found:

Click HERE for Queensland farmers.

Click HERE for NSW farmers

Support lines also operate in Queensland on 13 25 23

NSW on 1800 814 647

Originally published as Lismore floods: At least 20 dairy farmers properties in “critical” condition