While the headlines trumpet the drought situation, particularly in NSW, there’s a growing opinion that farmers are being made to look like whingers.
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Of course this is not the case, and those who prudently have organised their operations to handle or cope with drought will not be those participating in handouts.
The overall problem is monumental.
The report that an outstanding flock of Merinos at Hay will be auctioned in coming weeks draws attention to a strategy employed by Riverina plains operators for generations.
In this case, all the sheep will be sold to spare the fragile ecosystem on the property.
The sheep are in good buckle and they are sure to fetch good prices on a buoyant market.
Also concerning some good operators is vision of cattle and sheep foraging for non-existent food. They should be contained with good water.
According to some good mates, this would preserve animal energy and stop further land degradation. Also, if and when it rains, regeneration will be unhindered.
This is where government could help.
Television footage of good-minded people knitting jackets for orphan lambs is also sending the wrong message, as in a drought lambs are expendable.
Not every farmer will survive this drought, sadly they never do.
But reports that Australia will be short of food are emotive and untrue.
Yes exports will be dinted, but after every drought bumpers seasons usually occur. Breeding cattle and sheep numbers will have taken a hit, but after a couple of years this problem is overcome.
LIVE EXPORT CONCERNS
It had to happen. Reports have come in from Western Australia that live cattle exports have been disrupted due to the ban placed on the sheep trade.
Said to be hit is a shipment of cattle and sheep to Israel, a long way from Sussan Ley’s traditional Middle East market.
It is estimated that the Israeli shipment would have contained 15,000 sheep and 4000 head of cattle.
About 30,000 head of cattle destined for export have been caught up in the fracas.
The “slaughter them here” call falls on barren ground when the cost of processing is compared.
Maybe bleating politicians could turn their attention to this problem that ultimately has an impact on the cost of living for all Australians.
It would be interesting to see how much this impacts per kilogram of meat sold across the counter.