Victoria bushfires: Livestock toll reaches 4000

The livestock toll from the Victorian bushfires has almost reached 4000 – and it’s still rising.

Heavy toll: Sheep in a burnt-out paddock at Clifton Creek in fire-ravaged East Gippsland. Some 1638 sheep are among 3946 livestock that have perished in the Victorian fires. Picture: Mark Stewart

ALMOST 4000 livestock have perished in the bushfires raging across Victoria.

But that number is expected to keep rising, as officials gain access to more fire-affected properties.

The latest figures from Agriculture Victoria, released today, show 3946 animals have died so far from the fires in the state’s North East and East Gippsland.

It includes 1966 beef cattle, 1638 sheep, 150 goats, 68 dairy cows, nine horses and 80 beehives.

Victoria’s fires have also razed 33,180 hectares of pasture and 700ha of softwood plantation, while more than 11,400 tonnes of hay and silage have gone up in flames with 119 hay sheds destroyed.

Another 620ha in field crops have also burned; 39 farmhouses lost; and 25 wool sheds and 114 machinery sheds destroyed.

The livestock figures come on top of the 13,000 already reported in NSW, and almost 40,000 in South Australia, including the 32,000 sheep that died in the Kangaroo Island blaze.

Agriculture Victoria said with fire conditions less hazardous, it expected to be able to undertake more animal welfare assessments.

Fodder also continues to be distributed, with the Australian Defence Force delivering to three inaccessible properties in East Gippsland.

All fodder inquiries should go to the Victorian Farmers Federation: 1300 882 833.