Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in NSW

Well, we all held our breath and patiently waited for Alfred to hit. 10 days’ notice from the BOM was appreciated by all. Seemingly skipping over areas that we assumed would be smashed with wild weather along with areas such as Dorrigo in Northern NSW that were not expected to be hit, certainly copped the feral weather that Alfred brought to town.

With over 1metre of rain having been reported as falling in the week of Alfred, Dorrigo and the producers in the area have a recovery road ahead of them, time frame unknown as we are all too aware.

Land slips posing imminent danger, tanker access limited to farm, with the Waterfall Way being closed for a week and the back road to Grafton not the best track, it was touch and go for the farmers in the region. Naturally milk has been dumped and reports coming from the area of sink holes appearing in driveways. Calf shed rooves disappeared in the storm, along with machinery shed rooves. Causeways and crossings were washed out posing difficulties with cattle crossing, and dams being washed out as well.

With winter planting of ryegrass, oats and the likes normally well underway, this has been postponed for many, saturated paddocks and holding of silt build up. These factors are delaying the winter plant, the feed gap is going to be extended well past the normal for the Dorrigo region.

Like every dairy farmer they clean up, rebuild fences, fix the shed and get on with animal husbandry and milking, ensuring that we will all have fresh milk available for our morning coffee tomorrow.

NSW Governments help – one $15,000 transport subsidy, how far will this go, not touching the tip of the iceberg. EastAUSmilk are working hard at lobbying to have this changed and upgraded for the region.

Abby McMillan – EastAUSmilk – NSW Member Services Officer