Dought Time to Think, Plan & Act - Bill Sykes
Primary producers and country business operators should be preparing for another tough 6-12 months as failing spring rains and low water allocations point towards an extremely gloomy short term future according to Nationals MP for Benalla, Bill Sykes.
Dr Sykes who is also a farmer and Veterinarian is encouraging livestock producers to look very hard at their herds and flocks and to cull any stock which don’t have a long term value to the enterprise.
Dr Sykes said, “Livestock producers went through this process last year and unfortunately they need to do it again now, especially if there is inadequate rain to enable reasonable amounts of hay and silage to be made.
“Hay may be very difficult to access and very expensive and whilst grain may be more readily available, current indicators are that it will be very expensive due to strong world grain prices.
“On top of that, many people have had a ‘gutful’ of carting feed (& water) to stock at a cost of several hundred dollars per head of cattle and in excess of $20-$50 per head for sheep.
“Horticulturalists and other primary producers and country businesses need to undertake similar assessments of their situation, make plans and act.
Dr Sykes continued, “State Government has a responsibility to help people make and act on sound decisions and to retain their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing so that they can bounce back when the rains return.
“I continue to be disappointed with the low level of support provided by the State Government. There are several good programs in place but much more needs to be done.
“A standout example of need is funding for local councils to provide full time, long term drought response coordinators rather than the part time and/or short term arrangements which most councils in North East Victoria have currently.
“Another critical need is funding for outreach workers to connect people ‘at the end of their tether’ with professional support services. Locally Ivan Lister is doing an outstanding job but funding of his position is short term with ‘cash strapped’ Benalla Rural City Council needing to ‘kick in’ $15,000 recently to keep Mr Lister employed.
“Yet another need is off farm employment opportunities. The Catchment Management Authorities have operated off-farm employment programs doing very useful environmental works. Unfortunately these programs are being scaled back at a time when they should be scaling up.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage all primary producers and country businesses to assess their position and to make plans according to a range of possibilities from no spring rain through to reasonable rainfalls. I also encourage people to utilise the support services which are available and which local government staff can help people access.
Dr Sykes who is also a farmer and Veterinarian is encouraging livestock producers to look very hard at their herds and flocks and to cull any stock which don’t have a long term value to the enterprise.
Dr Sykes said, “Livestock producers went through this process last year and unfortunately they need to do it again now, especially if there is inadequate rain to enable reasonable amounts of hay and silage to be made.
“Hay may be very difficult to access and very expensive and whilst grain may be more readily available, current indicators are that it will be very expensive due to strong world grain prices.
“On top of that, many people have had a ‘gutful’ of carting feed (& water) to stock at a cost of several hundred dollars per head of cattle and in excess of $20-$50 per head for sheep.
“Horticulturalists and other primary producers and country businesses need to undertake similar assessments of their situation, make plans and act.
Dr Sykes continued, “State Government has a responsibility to help people make and act on sound decisions and to retain their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing so that they can bounce back when the rains return.
“I continue to be disappointed with the low level of support provided by the State Government. There are several good programs in place but much more needs to be done.
“A standout example of need is funding for local councils to provide full time, long term drought response coordinators rather than the part time and/or short term arrangements which most councils in North East Victoria have currently.
“Another critical need is funding for outreach workers to connect people ‘at the end of their tether’ with professional support services. Locally Ivan Lister is doing an outstanding job but funding of his position is short term with ‘cash strapped’ Benalla Rural City Council needing to ‘kick in’ $15,000 recently to keep Mr Lister employed.
“Yet another need is off farm employment opportunities. The Catchment Management Authorities have operated off-farm employment programs doing very useful environmental works. Unfortunately these programs are being scaled back at a time when they should be scaling up.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage all primary producers and country businesses to assess their position and to make plans according to a range of possibilities from no spring rain through to reasonable rainfalls. I also encourage people to utilise the support services which are available and which local government staff can help people access.
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posted by Greg Naylor at
10:09 PM
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