On farm flood factsheets
Download flood advice factsheets, or find links to agricultural advice, animal health and welfare information, biosecurity updates and more.
Some of the following guides were developed during the flood emergency and may contain references to the AASFA 1800 phone number. This number is not currently operational - instead, please contact your nearest Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299.
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Agriculture
Natural Disaster Assistance Guide for Primary Producers
This is a general guide to the assistance available to primary producers after a natural disaster:
Natural disaster assistance guide for primary producers
Emergency Plans in Isolated Communities - Hunter
The extremes of recent years have shown emergency planning to be a necessity for everyone, yet it can be easy to put off making and testing our plans, especially while we’re in recovery.
Emergency Plans in Isolated Communities
Managing a Small Beef Herd in Wet Conditions - North Coast
Developed by the North Coast team to address current conditions, this guide provides critical decision making information to livestock producers preparing for a wet winter. The principals outlined in this guide can be applied to larger herds and in other regions where similar conditions exist:
Managing a Small Beef Herd in Wet Conditions
Assistance with Animal Welfare Issues
This handy checklist steps you through the potential Animal Health and Welfare issues you might encounter after a flood and provides guidance on who to contact for help:
Pasture Recovery After a Coastal Flood (North Coast)
Different pasture species vary in their ability to survive a flood - this guide walks you through the common pasture species of the North Coast, what to expect when flooding occurs, and what your management options are:
Pasture recovery after a coastal flood
Pasture Recovery After a Flood (North West)
Different pasture species vary in their ability to survive a flood - this guide walks you through the common pasture species of the North West NSW region, what to expect when flooding occurs, and what your management options are:
Pasture Recovery After a Flood - North Western
Managing Waterlogging in Crops - Northern NSW
Waterlogging occurs when roots cannot respire due to excessive water in the soil. This guide explains the damage that can occur as well as how to assess and minimise the damage:
Managing waterlogging in crops - Northern NSW
Denitrification in Cropping (Cereals)
The complex process of denitrification due to waterlogging can lead to nutritional deficiencies in cereal grains - this fact sheet explains this process:
Cropping in the Wet (North West)
Information on summer cropping after a flood in the North West of NSW, and the impact floods can have on production.
EPA Managing Dairy Waste and Stock After a Flood
Information from the Victoria EPA on how pollutants from dairy farm effluents (liquid waste and sewage) can wash into waterways after rainfall:
Animal Health and Welfare
Grazing and Livestock Management Over Winter - Hunter
Managing your herd or flock can be challenging at the best of times - with the current conditions taken into account, this guide gives Hunter livestock managers direction on where to start and what to consider:
Grazing and Livestock Management Over Winter
Disease Risk from Flood Waters and Flooded Pasture - Hunter
An extract from the May 2015 Hunter Animal Health Newsletter explaining why it is important to inspect livestock on a daily basis after a flood:
Disease Risk from Flood Waters and Flooded Pasture (Extract)
Winter 2022 Cattle Health Update for the Hunter Region
An updated version of the wet weather advisory newsletter issued in April.
Winter 2022 Cattle Health Update
Animal Disposal Advice
This fact sheet provides advice on disposal of deceased animals after a flood.
The 1800# referred to in this document is not currently operational. For more advice please contact your nearest Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299:
Caring for Livestock in Times of Flood
Prolonged wet conditions can lead to significant feed shortages, higher stocking densities and intermingling of groups of animals that would not normally be kept together. Animals are often physiologically stressed, leading to reduced immune system function and have softened feet and skin as a result of prolonged wetting. This combined with better survival conditions for bacteria, biting insects and worm eggs and larvae results in a far higher risk of disease in flood affected stock. It is important that owners monitor their livestock closely and contact their veterinarian if they detect any signs of disease or illness:
Caring for livestock in times of flood
Horse Care After Floods
If your horses have been affected by flooding, it is important to assess them as soon as it is safe to do so. You should identify any injuries or illnesses and contact your veterinarian if required. Ensure your horses have access to food, clean drinking water and shelter. It is important that owners monitor their horses closely and contact their veterinarian if they detect any signs of illness or injuries:
Managing Feed and Fodder Risks
This fact sheet was written for drought but is also relevant for flood. When bringing fodder and feed onto your property, you are exposed to pests, diseases and weeds found in other parts of Australia that you do not currently have:
Safely transporting flood affected livestock
Extra care is required when transporting cattle, sheep and goats that have been through flood waters and restricted food intake to prevent stock going down in trucks due to low energy and mineral levels.
Managing Erosion Before and After Floods
Flooding can cause significant riverbank erosion, particularly if there is limited vegetation in place to bind the soil together. There are
a range of measures land managers can undertake to repair erosion damage, that will also ensure riverbanks, floodplains and gullies are better protected against future flooding events:
Managing erosion before and after floods
FREE SOIL TESTING - PLANNING FOR RECOVERY - CLOSED
Support for testing fully subscribed
In response to the floods and rainfall, North Coast Local Land Services offered up to 2 free soil tests per farmer to help plan for Spring.
The program has helped 186 farmers with 370 soil and 132 water tests.
Flooding and high rainfall can alter soil fertility and plant available nutrients through erosion/runoff, waterlogging, leaching and sediment deposition.
Testing provides a snapshot of the current state of soil fertility, including any constraints that may need management. Knowing your soil fertility and any limitations to production can help you make decisions and discover potential savings.
For more information on soils keep an eye out for upcoming events.
Flood Affected Wildlife
Many native animals are displaced following extreme stormy weather events and floods. Flood water can inundate and destroy habitat, physically displacing animals and increasing competition for dry ground. This fact sheet provides information on what to do if you encounter flood affected wildlife:
2022 Floods - Riverbank Erosion Support
In response to the NSW 2022 Floods, Local Land Services has established the Riverbank Erosion Support Process, combining the resources and expertise of the Riverbank Rehabilitation Project team and the North Coast, Hunter and Greater Sydney Local Land Services teams to deliver immediate advice and support to impacted landholders. This will focus on managing erosion on agricultural enterprises and natural resources, including paddocks, cropping land and naturally vegetated areas.
How should I undertake erosion work following floods?
Major flooding events often cause significant riverbank erosion that is highly visible. While some landowners may want to immediately fix this erosion, doing so without first seeking expert guidance or regulatory approval can result in harsh penalties and increased erosion risk.
How should I undertake erosion work following floods?
What can I do to address riverbank erosion on my property?
Riverbank erosion is a natural process, exacerbated by flood events and land management practices. However, there are many activities landholders can undertake to help prevent and repair erosion damage and improve the health of riparian zones.
What can I do to address riverbank erosion on my property?
Pests and Weeds
Fire Ants
Fire ants are highly mobile and can fly long distances, raft on waterways after floods or wet weather events and be moved in organic material into new areas. For more information on fire ants, visit the DPI website:
