SOUTH Coast farmers are being asked to contact the Department of Primary Industries if they can donate spare fodder for fire affected graziers west of Yass.
The NSW Government and NSW Farmers have teamed up to establish a fodder donation register to assist farmers affected by this week’s bushfires.
The fires, which have ripped through 17,000 hectares, have left some properties without a blade of grass to feed livestock.
RSPCA officers from Goulburn and Forbes are helping to put down injured stock, with estimates around 10,000 head of sheep and cattle will be lost.
Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said any help from farmers in surrounding areas would be greatly appreciated.
“We have already seen the dedication of volunteers on the fire ground and now farmers across the state are throwing their support behind those affected,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“We have already had calls of support from country NSW offering hay and grain to those left with little or nothing on their properties following the fires.”
Affected producers in Natural Disaster Declared areas may be eligible for transport freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent on the carriage of livestock and fodder up to a maximum of $15,000 per annum.
The central fodder donation register is located on the DPI website (www.dpi.nsw.gov.au) or to register fodder donations contact 1800 814 647.