CAUTION Some content & images may cause distress
The enormity of the bushfire crisis across Australia this summer defies words. The prolonged drought in eastern Australia and record temperatures combined to start a fire season much earlier and with greater intensity than ca be imagined. I’m pretty certain there is no one in the country who has not felt through their own experiences, or those of their family or friends the impact these fires have had.
Firstly, it’s important to recognise if you are feeling overwhelmed by these events that you need to talk and share your emotions. Many of my friends and clients have had the stress of the drought underlying these fires, and it’s a huge emotional and mental strain to process. If you need to talk, I really encourage you to get in touch with organisations like the Rural Adversity & Mental Health Program. They can offer advice and suggestions for some local support to work with you.
Assessing livestock following fires is one of the most distressing tasks placed on producers. I really need to highlight the importance of contacting the Agricultural Departments in your state
NSW Agriculture & Animal Services Hotline 1800 814 647
VicAg 1800 226 226
PIRSA 1800 255 556
This will ensure you can speak with someone for possible assistance. That might range from emergency fodder supplies through to organising a vet to come with you to assess you stock and help arrange to bury or remove dead stock.
As a firefighter with NSW Fire & Rescue for many years, I have some practical tips to share as you begin the process of assessment.
Your Own Safety First
Consider your safety and your team first
Firstly, the firegrounds are still very dangerous places. Trees and limbs will smoulder and fall without warning. If you are out in paddocks, try and stay away from burnt timber and always wear a helmet. Helmets can help protect from falling debris but stay away from large trees!
Burnt logs, stumps and large vegetation may smoulder and roots can burn underground. Don’t walk in ash particularly around stumps. The ash may actually give way and you will fall into a burning hole.
“Burnt logs, stumps and large vegetation may smoulder and roots can burn underground. Don’t walk in ash particularly around stumps. The ash may actually give way and you will fall into a burning hole. ”
Burnt stumps may also have smouldering roots
Wear long trousers, cotton shirts and solid work boots with a good sole. The ground will still be hot, and the radiant heat can burn you. So, stay covered! Also there are still animals moving like snakes that are stressed and scared as well. Boots and trousers can protect you from bites. However, it’s important to stay alert to the potential of snakes moving around.
The other key point in making these assessments is to go with someone else. If you can work with neighbours or a few people, it will help share the work. More importantly it means you can all look out for one another both physically and emotionally. Please don’t do this on your own.
Assessing Livestock
It’s important to make your assessments of livestock when its safe to be on the burnt area. While euthanasia is something that may be required, it will be best to seek veterinary advice before commencing.
Seek advice & assistance from your vet & State Agriculture Departments
Making decisions regarding livestock can be confronting, so having someone with you is essential. Following the fire destruction is a humane requirement. Severely burnt animals that are either unconscious, in obvious distress or are unable to get up or walk should be immediately destroyed.
As part of the NSW DPI guidelines for assessment, animals displaying any of these signs should be humanely destroyed:
· animals with severe charring of limbs, muscles or facial tissues
· animals suffering from smoke or flame inhalation resulting in acute pneumonia as evidenced by laboured breathing, frothing at the nose and mouth and coughing
· animals which are down and unable to rise because of burn injuries
· animals which are reluctant or unable to move
· inelastic skin or swelling of lower limbs in the first 24 hours post fire
· substantial swelling of the face in the first 24 hours post fire.
If destruction is required, it is better if possible to move stock (that can walk) into a corner of a. This is a more efficient and safer method than moving around paddock to destroy animals. Only those animals that would suffer severely if moved or those that cannot travel should be destroyed where they are.
Only move animals if they are able to walk & it is safe to do so
NSW DPI suggests that animals that are mobile and alert and have burns that do not warrant immediate destruction are animals that could be treated. However, this requires a decision regarding the availability of veterinary care, as well as suitable facilities such as yards or unburnt paddocks with access to water as available.
It’s also important to recognise that treating animals will take a long time and this can be very physically and emotionally draining, so this is something to talk through with the vets and agricultural advisors.
In considering your assessments, remember stock are impacted in different ways by bushfires. Sheep, goats are often more susceptible to burns as they mob together. Ongoing monitoring of sheep and goats is required.
Sheep or goats displaying these injuries should be humanely destroyed:
· severe burns which have destroyed areas of skin making it split and slough away to more than 10-15 % of their body or to vital body parts (i.e. feet, inguinal areas)
· major swelling of limbs
· lame sheep with lost hooves or separation between the hooves and coronary band.
· pneumonia through smoke inhalation evident by respiratory distress
· facial burns that interfere severely with eating, drinking or breathing.
Cattle
Cattle may be burnt on their hooves, or on udders and teats
Cattle often manage to avoid fire impact as they tend not to mob. However many cattle can become trapped in paddock corners or other obstacles. Check teats and udders in females and the penis, scrotum and prepuce of bulls. Burnt hooves are a significant issue as they are not only extremely painful, but cattle will be reluctant to walk and feed.
Pigs and chooks are all extremely susceptible to burns and fires. Pigs are likely to succumb to heat stress or from burns and should be humanely destroyed.
On going management
Once the initial phase of assessment has passed you will need to move your animals to a location where you can regularly check them and ensure that there are no complications or infections developing.
· Where possible place stock in paddocks that have the softer level ground
· Stock need access to good quality water and highly digestible easily consumed feed such as good quality hay
· Animals that become unable to move and access water and feed should be euthanised
· Look for signs of flystrike on the areas that have been burnt and on the feet of stock and treat any strike as soon as you see it
· Some animals may need long acting antibiotics to treat secondary infections. This is another reason to consult with a vet.
You will need to re-examine and reassess stock daily for at least a week after the fire. Many animals may be in sock on the first assessment and subsequently become distressed over time. Ongoing assessment should be at least 2- 3 times a week for at least a fortnight. Keep focussing on mobility, feed and water consumption and development of respiratory problems. Those animals should be humanely destroyed when these signs are observed.
I know many people are still fighting fires and have yet to get back onto farms to assess their stock. The fire season is still on going and the tasks I’ve discussed are beyond words. As my final comment, please seek the assistance of your state agricultural services. Equally important please be safe, and this means don’t try and do this all alone. Ask for assistance and help and keep talking to your friends and family.
If I can help in any way, even just to listen please give me a call.
I particularly would like to acknowledge NSW DPI for the information used to prepare this article. For the full article please click here.