Dry conditions trigger extreme measures as Tasmanian farmers struggle to secure feed
It's one of the toughest seasons in living memory for Tasmanian farmers and animal welfare concerns are rising. Minimal rainfall, a lack of feed, and booked out slaughterhouses mean some farmers are resorting to drastic measures to manage their animals.
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00:00Tasmania has been dry for months and beef farmer Alan Kelly doesn't have enough food
00:07to get his cows through the winter.
00:10This is where one of my cattle's buried, died about two or three weeks ago.
00:15There's another one down in the paddock there.
00:18Yeah, it's not fun shooting your cattle.
00:24They're beautiful creatures.
00:30Without enough rain, Mr Kelly has been unable to grow pasture to feed his cows
00:35and he can't afford to buy in more feed.
00:38He's been feeding out half rations and along the way he's lost multiple calves
00:43and shot several cows.
00:45So what do you do, leave them there to starve for 24 hours before they die of exposure?
00:50It's an extreme case of the pressure many are feeling,
00:53worsened by soaring hay costs, low cattle prices and booked out abattoirs.
00:58And while assistance is available, it's limited for small producers.
01:03There are people out there that are really having to make some really,
01:06really tough, awful decisions on their properties.
01:09A lot of the grants that are out there, unfortunately,
01:11a lot of our farmers are not eligible for them.
01:15Mr Kelly secured a small donation earlier this year,
01:19but he doesn't qualify for any further financial assistance.
01:22The Federal Government says it has a range of national measures available
01:26to help people manage through drought,
01:29while Tasmanian Primary Industries Minister Jane Howlett
01:32recently announced $4.8 million in additional drought funding.
01:37It's like watching a slow motion train wreck.
01:39I mean, where am I going to get the money to pay for my hay?
01:42So, you know, help, just a little bit of help, just enough to get by.
01:48As hard conditions continue with little sign of relief,
01:51Rural Alive and Well is urging farmers to watch their mental health.
01:55Just reach out and we'll come to where you are
01:59and happy to have those conversations.