Effects of Flood Water on Stock
YOUR EMERGENCY NEEDS
After the water recedes it is important to maintain daily (at least) checks on livestock to ensure they are not developing infections from the bacteria in flood water.
You should also keep an eye out for:
- any signs of lameness and/or swollen legs that is not resolving as conditions dry
- respiratory infections, which can also develop into pneumonia from time in flood water
- cattle that look lethargic, have a nasal discharge or cough, which develop a temperature, stop eating or stay down, as these are signs of developing a systemic illness.
If your daily livestock checks uncover downed cattle that are unable to be treated by a veterinarian and you require assistance with euthanasia and disposal please call the AASFA hotline on 1800 814 647 for assistance.
Caring for livestock in times of flood
YOUR RECOVERY NEEDS
It is crucial to maintain your daily livestock welfare checks in the weeks following floods and provide care and immediate assistance to any injured and downed cattle. It is not appropriate to leave them in the paddock without ensuring their welfare needs are met. Ensure that they have a tub of fresh water and good quality fodder within easy reach while you seek a veterinary assessment.
As we transition to recovery mode, we recommend that you call your nearest Local Land Services team on 1300 795 299 for advice on pasture recovery, feed requirements for flood-affected stock, herd health, and fodder budgeting. Local Land Services District Veterinarians will still be providing assistance to land managers who have emergency animal welfare needs, please contact your private vet for non-emergency animal welfare issues.
REPORTING DAMAGE
The primary industries natural disaster damage survey is an online survey DPI and LLS staff, farmers, and agricultural industry representatives can use to record damage to primary production and animals from natural disasters. With the current floods, DPI and LLS are encouraging those impacted to submit a survey to help inform the Government and communities to understand the scale of the regional distribution of the impact of a disaster on agriculture and target resources and assistance in an area.
To submit a survey visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/damage
DPI Primary Producers Natural Disaster Assistance Guide
FEED AND FODDER ADVICE
Have you bought in fodder after the floods?
Fodder crops; oaten, sorghum hay/silage and even grassy hay made with summer grasses such as liverseed grass, can all prove too high in nitrate for cattle who have been in stressful situations such as the current flood emergency.
Gradual introduction onto feed and use of hay that has been tested for low nitrate can help prevent cattle losses. You can access a feed test from your nearest Local Land Services office.
Hay shed fires can occur when hay has become moist. Spontaneous combustion occurs when moist hay heats up due to a combination of natural microbial and chemical reactions.
If enough air (oxygen) is present the moist hay may get hot enough to ignite, with fire then spreading through the stack or shed.
Remove hay that has been wet through flood waters or rain to reduce the risk of fire and further infrastructure damage.
Water-damaged hay can be used for compost but should not be fed to stock as it can result in livestock health issues ranging from production loss to death.
Further information is available on the DPI website:
TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF
Floods create a high level of stress that can affect emotional health and wellbeing which can continue when dealing with cleaning up and recovery. Sometimes this impact is obvious immediately but often it is a slow process and can have a long-lasting effect. If you, or someone you know, has been impacted and need support, talk to your GP or contact a Rural Resilience Officer or Rural Support Worker to see what services are available.
Most people’s need for support is met by persons close to them including family, friends, and communities. Talking to someone regularly along the road to recovery can help personal health and wellbeing.
If you sense something is not quite right with someone, chances are they might need a bit of extra support from the people around them. Don’t ignore those signs but instead, take some time to start a conversation.
Making the decision to access professional assistance if needed is a wise choice that can often help people to regain emotional strength and resilience.
For more information, please visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/rural-support/rural-resilience-program