USUALLY lush and green King Island is facing a drought some generational farmers are calling “the worst they have ever seen”.
King Island beef farmers have lobbied both state and federal governments since January expressing concerns and alerting them to the situation being caused by the island’s drought conditions. Other factors that have led to a perfect storm on the island include a dry spring and loss of shipping capacity in winter. The island is now in the traditionally driest months facing uncertain conditions in autumn and winter.
Farmers’ duress is exacerbated by the limited shipping capacity, limited access to mainland markets, potential animal welfare issues and farmer stress, high costs and low cattle prices. Some producers read the anticipated climatic conditions and sold stock early accepting lower prices, while others expected the normal rainfall pattern that ensures adequate pasture growth in the island’s traditionally high rainfall area that allows for high stocking rates.
The northern pastures experience drier conditions as they are sand based, however this year most of the island is brown and dry. Farmers Peter Bowling, Roger Clemons and Rod Graham say they have not seen it like this in their lifetime.
The lack of rain since October has significantly impacted pasture growth and has resulted in reduced hay and silage reserves. It is estimated that fodder reserves are down at least 50 per cent from previous years.
Calls for shipping action
SHIPPING priority for King Island has been on destocking and fodder importation.
Both the government-owned Bass Island Line and Eastern Line Shipping have now increased their sailings per week; however, trailers compete with general cargo and fertiliser.
Shipping continues to have a major impact on the drought situation as there is a lack of capacity, frequency and without a 24-hour safe harbour, their service is weather dependent.
Plea for drought aid
Weaning has occurred four to six weeks earlier than usual, and farmers are only now able to import containers of Tasmanian grain-free pellets with additional excessively high shipping costs and limited space. Local producers have formed a working group to address the current and future issues arising from the drought and are lobbying for assistance.
The group is requesting immediate financial support and is addressing mental health, on-farm grain storage infrastructure and future fertiliser options if the dry continues. In response Rural Alive and Well, NRE, (Ag Finance and Animal husbandry experts) visited the island earlier in February and return visits are planned and farmers are strongly encouraged to engage.
Labor Senator Anne Urquhart and Liberal MP Gavin Pearce are in discussion with the Federal Agricultural Minister Murray Watt to discuss assistance options, including extra shipping services, importation of grain and financial packages. The Working Group, the Beef Group and TasFarmers are seeking a package to include financial freight assistance, especially for fodder imports.
Senator Urquhart noted limitations on federal drought relief as there are parameters around what federal and state can do. “Predominantly, most of the drought funding issues are state government responsibility “There are a number of areas around drought assistance that the federal government has, and I’ve provided that to farmers and the mayor,” she said.
Mr Pearce said that he has spoken to as many players as possible to facilitate solutions and manage the situation into the future. Independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest said the departments of State Growth and NRE have been active on the island and this is welcome, however, it is time the underlying as well as immediate challenges are acknowledged and addressed.
“All aspiring politicians should make a stand now and give the people of King Island the support and certainty they need.” TasFarmers has been in consultation with the Working Group and the chair of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture (TWIA) Deb Morice recognises the wider impact the drought has on the community and costs.
“TWIA is very concerned for our agricultural community on King Island in these trying dry conditions.
“The extended period of dry is both physically and mentally challenging for everyone, not to mention financially impacting everyone on the island.
“We are hoping that the freight issues can be sorted, and some migration measures taken in the short term to allow both feed and cattle transfers to happen with a reduction in costs – as that seems the most prohibitive factor at this time.
“The cost of getting feed to our farmers from this state is ridiculous, biosecurity is of utmost of importance, so sourcing from Tasmania is the logical option, but sourcing suitable feed is a challenge due to not having an overabundance available due to our own challenging spring,” Ms Morice said.
TWIA had also been in discussion about other forms of support that the government can provide to producers during this difficult period TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the organisation had been advocating for several weeks the need for action to different levels of government.
“We have been seeking support in the form of increased sailings to support the destocking of the island and the movement of feed to the island,” he said. Labor agriculture spokesperson Anita Dow said:
“Labor is actively exploring options to support King Island Farmers through this difficult time and has been liaising with the Commonwealth to determine any Commonwealth assistance that may be available to farmers on King Island who are impacted by the drought.”