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Flood information for livestock producers
The below directory has been compiled for producers affected by flood conditions. It includes a list of alert services, relevant contacts and support as well as resources for managing and recovering from flood.
Alert services
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Australian national warnings summary
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See current weather warnings in each state.
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Australian rainfall and river conditions
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Regional rainfall and river level updates
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Emergency updates by location
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Search for digital and radio emergency updates based on your location.
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Floods and storms: current situation
Information for producers |
Current information on floods and storms in NSW, including current animal safe places.
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Key contacts
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For emergency support during or after a flood or storm
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P: 132 500
Qld web app |
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Customer service and support for people and businesses (including primary producers) recovering from flood
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13 77 88
Translation services: 13 14 50 |
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For assistance with emergency livestock movements
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Urgent road access via NHVR Access Manager, Rochelle Mottlee
P: 0437 644 453 To make transport operators aware of emergency circumstances in your area:
LBRCA, Bec Coleman
P: 0432 336 718 LRTAQ, Laney O’Neil
P: 0447 349 214 ALRTA, Mat Munro
P: 0421 082 489 |
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NSW Agricultural and Animal Services hotline
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For emergency fodder, water and animal welfare assistance in NSW
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1800 814 647
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Queensland vet hotline
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For emergency animal welfare assistance in Queensland
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1800 621 918
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Lifeline Australia
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24-hour mental health support for people experiencing distress
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13 11 14
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NFF Farm Hub
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A hub of resources for farm business assistance
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For emergency animal welfare assistance in Victoria
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1800 226 226
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Dealing with flood
Farm and livestock management resources
For producers and advisors dealing with flooding, the following resources provide guidance for managing the wellbeing, handling and movement of livestock.
Flood recovery
Careful management can help minimise impacts on productivity when a flood event occurs. Knowing the signs of pasture damage, parasites and disease that occur during and after flood events can make recovery faster and more effective.
- Recent rain may cause an increase in flies. Flystrike, particularly body-strike, can be caused by wet wool and dermatitis and after a flood sheep should be monitored daily.
- Cattle ticks thrive in warm and humid conditions, which can lead to tick fever after floods or major rain events in Northern Australia.
Floods provide ideal conditions for several species of gastrointestinal - worms to flourish. Effective worm control is needed to reduce parasite burdens in both sheep and cattle. Use worm testing tools such as worm egg counts (WEC), larval cultures or the Haemonchus dipstick to develop targeted drenching and grazing programs.
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Clostridial diseases, such as blackleg and pulpy kidney can increase due to bacteria commonly found in contaminated water and soil. Ensure all livestock vaccinations are up-to-date.
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Investigate sheep lameness, as virulent footrot often occurs in wet and warm conditions.
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Watch for symptoms of three day sickness and Akabane as populations of biting insects such as mosquitoes increases.
Additional considerations are outlined in the Queensland Government livestock diseases following floods factsheet.
The effect of flooding is dependent on the flow and temperature of water, soil type, depth and duration of flooding, the health and type of plant species and the amount of silt or debris deposited. These factors will determine if pastures successfully recover, or if pastures will need to be resown.
Pastures not tolerant to waterlogging:
- lucerne
- cocksfoot
- veldt
- italian ryegrass
- medic.
Susceptible to waterlogging:
- ryegrass and clover pastures.
Tolerant pastures:
Post-flood actions
To ensure animal health and welfare after a flood:
- Keep livestock away from areas that have been spoilt with floodwater from stockyards or other areas that had a high build-up of manure and urine.
- Monitor lactating cows and ewes as environmental mastitis is caused by mud and bacteria.
- Inspect hay and grain for water damage or toxic mould growth as pasteurellosis, salmonellosis and botulism are bacterial diseases caused by ingesting contaminated feed or water that may become more prevalent after a flood.
- Implement a weed control program and restrict livestock from areas where toxic plants may be present.
- If livestock show signs of ill-thrift or illness, seek immediate advice from veterinarians or DPI animal health officers.
- If it is necessary to humanely kill livestock to prevent suffering, follow this guide from Business Queensland: Humane killing of injured livestock
- Check fences and ensure they are stock-proof to enable biosecurity to be managed and protected.
Related resources
Financial and other assistance
The ATO has special considerations and support in place for businesses affected by flooding. They can assist in a range of ways, including offering more time to lodge and pay, or reissuing tax documents or records. For more information, visit ato.gov.au/dealing with disasters or phone 1800 806 218.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) are available to people in eligible Local Government Areas affected by flooding.
The Disaster Recovery Payment is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, whose major assets have been directly damaged or are the immediate family members of a person who has died as a direct result of the storms and floods.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the storms and floods.
Further information can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website.
- Natural disaster relief loans and transport subsidies are available to people in declared natural disaster zones in NSW.
- Disaster relief low interest rate loans are available to primary producers and small business.
- A natural disaster assistance transport subsidy is available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event. This subsidy pays for the cost of transporting:
- fodder and/or water to an affected property
- stock to sale or slaughter
- stock to/from agistment.
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General recovery information is available via SecureNT
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Recovery loans and grant are available through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority
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Emergency hardship assistance is available for flood impacted residents and communities in parts of Queensland.
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Fodder drops can be requested by visiting the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ disaster ehub, using the Disaster Impact Survey or contacting the call centre on 13 25 23.
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Financial recovery assistance is now available for primary producers in the Burke, Doomadgee, Mornington, Cloncurry, Carpentaria and Mount Isa Council areas.
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Mental health support is also available to producers affected by the monsoon and floods.
- Storms and Floods Recovery information is available through PIRSA.
- PIRSA Recovery Hotline – 1800 931 314
- Business SA is offering River Murray Flooding Support, with information, grants and support available for impacted businesses.
- Relief and financial assistance is available through the South Australian government.
- State Emergency Services (SES) - 132 500 - sa.gov.au.
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State Emergency Services (SES) - 132 500 – tas.gov.au
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Information is available to Tasmanian producers via Managing Seasonal Conditions – Floods.
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Dam Safety Hotline - 1800 316 377.
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Floods and storms information is available for all producers across Victoria.
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Resources for farm recovery after flood are available for livestock, pasture and disease management.
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VicEmergency - 1800 226 226 - vic.gov.au.
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State Emergency Services (SES) - 132 500 - vic.gov.au.
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Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements have been announced for disaster-declared areas impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie from December 2022, including for personal hardship assistance, counselling, counter disaster operations, interest rate subsidies and freight subsidies for primary producers. Find out more at Disaster Assist.
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Personal wellbeing, recovery and accommodation after flood (WA DFES)
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State Emergency Services (SES) - 132 500 - wa.gov.au.
