Drought farmers told to get help quick

By Elizabeth Lillis
FARMERS are being urged to assess condition of their stock and availability of feed as drought conditions continue to bite across Cardinia’s rural areas.
Cardinia Victorian Farmers Federation president David Young said high attendance at a recent farmer forum in Koo Wee Rup was an indicator of how tough things are.
Mr Young said approximately 90 dairy farmers, rural service providers and cattle producers attended the first Westernport Dairy farmers forum a meeting run by the Cardinia VFF with the Department of Primary Industries on 19 December at the Kooweerup Community Centre to discuss problems arising from the drought.
Key issues discussed at the forum included the opportunity for exceptional circumstances claim for the region, water availability, feed planning, availability and pricing.
Mr Young said this week, an exceptional circumstances application for the Cardinia region would be presented to the State Government in February, when the next applications can be lodged.
Cardinia mayor Kate Lempriere, who attended the forum along with Cr Doug Hamilton, said she was not surprised with the turn out.
“People are suffering, there is huge stress on the farming community and they are generally not people who like asking for a handout,” she said.
Cr Lempriere said she felt if the exceptional circumstances application was successful it would come too late.
“I’m pushing for the government to bring the relief earlier, March is too late. They need it in January,” she said.
Cr Lempriere said she had written to state politicians outlining the plight of farmers in the shire and surrounding area.
Mr Young said supply of feed was the biggest issue for farmers with many having to reduce their stock numbers to cope with the bills for feed.
Mr Young said he was concerned about reports that cattle which are considered too skinny to be sold are being dumped on vacant land by owners who cannot afford to feed them.
He expressed concern this may be occurring and encouraged any farmers who are feeling the pinch to seek advice.
“It is better to seek help earlier rather than when things become too difficult,” he said
Victorian Livestock Exchange managing director Graham Osborne said any incidents of stock dumping were likely to be ‘minor’ but sales at the exchange had been sustained over the past two months.
“All stock have been presented in good condition,” he said.
Mr Osborne said farmers appeared to be selling off stock about two months earlier than usual.
“We haven’t had any sign of major destocking at this stage.
“Things may get tougher,” he said.
Mr Osborne said the exchange had made some major sales of cattle to New South Wales and Queensland which had attracted good prices for local farmers.
Mr Young said summer rains would not help in the long term to ease the drought.
“We need a good break in March with good autumn rains,” he said.
Mr Young said farmers can contact the rural advice line at Centrelink 13 23 16 as a first call for access to assistance and financial counselling.
A second farmers forum is planned for February.