Farmers urged to apply for help

Landholders impacted by flooding across the North Coast can get emergency fodder, animal assessment, and welfare assistance.

HERE TO HELP: North Coast Local Land Services through the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area are on the ground to support impacted Landholders.

Landholders impacted by devastating flooding across the North Coast are urged to register for support including emergency fodder, animal assessment, and welfare assistance.

NSW Department of Primary Industry and Local Land Services are working together to manage the effects of emergencies on agriculture, livestock and our community as Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA).

This includes the current flood emergency with the provision of Emergency fodder, Animal assessment and veterinary assistance, Stock euthanasia and disposal, Livestock feeding and management advice, and care of animals in evacuation centres.

To register for assistance, for emergency fodder or livestock support call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

North Coast Incident Controller Andrew Biddle said there has been huge impacts on local producers, including the dairy industry, which has suffered significant losses including fodder.

“Unfortunately, major flooding and the ongoing heavy rainfall has had widespread impacts across the region in particular the Mid North Coast, and we have sadly seen the loss of livestock,” Mr Biddle said.

“Our team is working with local landholders and industry groups to assess the needs of local producers, and get emergency fodder supplies on the ground where possible.

“As the emergency is still unfolding and many areas are cut off due to floodwaters or damage to the road infrastructure, it is proving difficult to access many producers, but we are doing everything we can to get assistance to them.”

Mr Biddle said Local Land Services understand the cumulative impacts of these floods will be far reaching, especially coming on the back of many years of drought and then the devastating fires of 2019/2020.

“The producers around here are made of incredibly tough stuff, but the impacts of these floods will be unfortunately long lasting, and our team is here to support you through the clean up and recovery,” he said.

“We know many producers are still trying to locate livestock and even family pets, and urge them to keep our team informed of missing animals and losses so we can assist in the recovery process.

“We are currently working with local retailers and feed producers to source and deliver emergency fodder to the worst hit areas, and have been working closely with the dairy industry to support them as the animals have particular animal health requirements.”

Survey

Landholders can also register damage and losses through the primary industries natural disaster damage survey, a simple online process to record damage to primary production and animals from natural disasters such as floods, fires, and storms.

The damage survey allows producers to, record the number of crops, animals, infrastructure, and other primary industries damaged in a single event, add photos to the assessment and see the severity of damage in your area.

Submit a survey

Assistance

Help is available for producers through the Rural Assistance Authority or call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

Updates

North Coast Local Land Services here.