This year’s flooding in New South Wales and Queensland follows nearly three years of stress from fire, drought, and a COVID-19 impacted workforce that have affected farmers, right around the country.

The July floods are the most recent hurdle for 290 dairy farms in New South Wales and Queensland, placing further financial and mental stress on a sector already pushed to the edge.

Farmers from the affected areas have spoken of damage and losses that include herds being wiped out, infrastructure and machinery swept away by floodwater, kilometres of fencing ripped from the earth – and bleak prospects for spring fodder crops.

In addition, wet soggy paddocks have led to increased cases of mastitis and lower limb infections and daily rescues of calves and heifers across many dairy farms.

Consumers are likely to see price hikes at the supermarkets as farmers navigate these challenges in order to stay on their land and maintain a future for the dairy industry.

Help is available for eligible dairy farmers and primary producers impacted by recent floods with recovery grants of up to $75,000. Find out more:

QLD: QRIDA