Media release: A fire plan for livestock is essential

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is highlighting stock safety measures that producers should have in their sights for the impending fire season.

DPI District Veterinary Officer Jeff Cave said in the event of fire, a comprehensive bushfire plan that is enacted early will help to prevent stock losses and reduce risks to personal safety.

"Recent fires have highlighted that good preparation and early action are essential to prevent losses during fire. Your life must be paramount," Dr Cave said.

"One of the key factors in minimising risk to stock during a bush fire is to identify the safest areas on the farm where livestock can be moved.

"The area you choose will depend on the type of livestock you are farming and their expected behaviour during a fire as well as the possible behaviour of a fire.

"On either the day before, early on the day of predicted code red (catastrophic) fire danger or when there is a fire alert in your district stock should be moved into these lower risk areas.

"You should also listen to weather forecasts and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action."

Examples of safe areas include paddocks with green summer crops or lucerne; bare paddocks with no dry feed; or a ploughed paddock. Areas where there are dams or swamps are also safer.

"Stockyards have been known to successfully hold stock during a fire and if this is your preferred option you need to consider using a sprinkler system as stock held together on a hot day can suffer heat stress," Dr Cave said.

‘A firebreak of some sort is imperative, bare laneways and ploughed breaks can be effective firebreaks as can heavily grazed paddocks with low-level vegetation.

"Horses should not be locked up in small areas or stables but be moved into an open paddock with minimal vegetation so they can move freely.

"Horses are known to be capable of moving themselves to safer open ground and suffer minimal burns if left to do so."

If equipment such as rugs, halters and flyveils remain on horses the plastic may melt and buckles may burn, however a halter will leave a horse easier to manage so discretion is needed depending upon the circumstance.

"It is not recommended to allow stock onto public roadways as in smoky conditions they will be a hazard to vehicles.

"Having an action plan that can be quickly executed during a fire would ensure the risk to stock is minimised," Dr Cave said.

For further advice please contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or your local DPI Veterinary or DPI Animal Health Officer or if you are located in NSW contact your Rural Lands Protection Board.