Tasmanian farmers leading by example in Victorian bushfire relief

TasFarmers said their Longford office has received a number of calls already from farmers looking to donate hay and silage to the Victorian bushfire cause.

TasFarmers COO Neil Grose said it will pass on all these details to the Lions Need for Feed project, whose volunteers are working hard to coordinate donated hay to be delivered across Bass Strait.

“Calls to make donations have come from all regions of the state, from the north-east, midlands and northern mid lands especially,” he said.

Jock and Claire Hughes of Cluden Newry Stud at Jessiefield, Longford, have led by example in helping fellow farmers devastated by bushfire in Victoria.

The prominent angus cattle breeders went halves in a truck load of hay with Dunkeld, Victoria, beef producer Susan Clarke and had the hay delivered by one of their regular angus buyers who happens to own a stock feed business.

McKenzie Ag Services, based in Ballarat, was able to source the hay and use its contractors to deliver to one of Cluden Newry’s clients in Yark.

“They have lost their house and everything across multiple farms – we felt we wanted to do something to help out,” Jock said.

“The cattle are safe, and they had just sold their weaners on Tuesday, but they lost some of their sheep. These are they kind of people who won’t care about their house, they just want to look after their stock.

“Luckily they have found some agistment, as they are about to start calving, but it’s going to be hard for them going forward.”

Victoria’s active bushfire disaster began on January 7 in the midst of a heatwave, and a State of Disaster was declared on January 10 in 18 Local Government areas.

The fire has scorched more than 400,000 hectares and claimed the lift of cattle farmer Max Hobson who was killed in the Longwood fire near Gobur.

More than 500 structures have been lost or damaged, including at least 179 homes and 1000 agricultural properties have been impacted, with livestock losses estimated at more than 15,000 animals.

McKenzie Ag owner Lachlan McKenzie said that he has many customers in the bushfire areas, particularly in Longwood and Bonny Doon and he’s been inundated with offers of assistance from generous people wanting to help.

“This means a lot to those who have faced devastation, it’s horrendous beyond words,” he said.

“Not just the economic impact, but the social and emotional impact from the stock losses.

“One farmer said it was like going to bed one night with a farm full of dry feed after a wonderful spring, then waking up in the middle of the worst drought in history.”

McKenzie Ag has been delivering 40 tonne loads of hay, which, including freight, would be valued at around $12,000.

Some of their contracted freight companies have offered to deliver feed or move livestock free of charge.

“A large number of people have donated part loads of hay through hay drives, and the response from landowners goes beyond appreciation, it’s one of sheer relief,” he said.

“In the face of adversity it’s been heartwarming to hear of the generosity of others, even from interstate.

“Thankfully there’s a large quantity of bulk fodder available after a good season, if this had happened last year it would have been tricky.”

In the wake of the fires, TasFarmers is calling on all Tasmanians to support those primary producers in need in Victoria.

“Victoria stood with us during significant drought events on King Island and broader Tasmania during 2024 and 2025, sending precious fodder across Bass Strait, now it’s our turn to support Victorian producers. Every bale of hay, every truckload of silage and every pair of skilled hands will make a difference to families who’ve lost almost everything,” TasFarmers president Ian Sauer said.

“The fires have destroyed houses, sheds, fences, plantations and thousands of head of livestock. The social and economic cost is expected to be felt for years. Immediate fodder donations will stabilise surviving stock; in the medium term, volunteer tradespeople and farm workers will be needed to rebuild vital infrastructure.

“If you are able to support producers in need, we ask you to contact our office and we will create a register so that as we better understand where help is needed this can be provided. We want to plan now, so that we are ready to act over coming weeks.”

Resources needed include What is needed include hay or silage (wrapped or unwrapped, any size bales), freight support (trucks, drivers, fuel sponsorship) and skilled and general labour such as fencers, machinery operators, mechanics, builders and farmhands.

To register what you can support, please contact the TasFarmers office on 6332 1800

The Victorian Farmers Federation is also coordinating financial support to producers who urgently need it. Donations can be made at: https://tinyurl.com/yc5rj84f