Look after your neighbours and your livestock
The Australian Continent is as dry as it's ever been and the impact reaches everyone. The airwaves and press are constantly bombarding us with grim facts about water storage levels and irrigation allocations.
As country people and carers of the land we are generally very observant in our own right of the signs which indicate conditions to come. We have become accustomed to making a plan and budgeting, preparing and caring for our gardens and stock and defining levels or points where we sell sheep and cattle, decide how many livestock we can feed and what stock feed to use.
Many have moved to our Shire to enjoy this magnificent rural environment. If you have purchased livestock it is important that you know how to feed and water your animals. Stock will quickly dehydrate and loose condition without fresh water daily and adequate nutritious feed and shade. Young animals in particular can suffer quickly without care.
In this part of Australia we are undoubtedly more fortunate than many as we have been able to conserve fodder every year and spring rains have been mostly reliable. Livestock markets continue to be buoyant with most classes of stock selling well and many farmers being able to take advantage of this market.
As we head into spring, we are likely to be tested this season and I ask that everyone looks out for their neighbours and provide some friendship and support. The monotony of feeding, carting water and enduring dust and flies can be debilitating. The best cure is to ensure there are plenty of local social and sporting events and occasions to lighten the mood. Everybody is affected including many town businesses.
Strathbogie Shire works will be affected too. Road grading is likely to stop when roads are too dry and dusty. Carting water for road grading will be carefully considered as it is costly and may not be the best use of precious water. Watering of parks and gardens will depend on Goulburn Valley Water restrictions in place for this summer.
Exceptional Circumstances Drought Declaration has been extended to March 2007 for Strathbogie Shire. Anyone wishing to enquire should contact the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) office in Benalla. There is also expert advice available on feeding livestock from DPI in Seymour.
If you are seeking help for people or livestock and need to know who to go to, please phone Strathbogie Shire and we will do our best to direct you to the appropriate advice.
In the meantime, let us enjoy Spring and the rain to come.
... from the Mayor's Desk
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858