Angaston Ag Bureau call for donations re Angaston-Springton fires 16/12/14
Dec 19, 2014
MEDIA RELEASE: Angaston Agricultural Bureau
“Barossa hit again with Bushfire – call for fodder, agistment and fence crews”
On Tuesday last, the Barossa ignited again with not one, but two bushfires that started away from the January 2014 fireground; one in the north, another in the south, and with changing wind direction, both ended up on the January fire scar.
Cr Mark Grossman, and local Angaston Ag Bureau member said, “With winds gusting to 65kph, it was amazing how much heat the fire generated and how fast the fire raced across the lowered fuel load of the previous fire scar, and we were lucky to get it contained the next morning. Thankfully there was no loss of life or livestock, but as graziers know, the journey to rebuild fences, and feed and manage livestock to the break of season and into the winter is a demanding challenge.”
“The combined fires are only 10% of area the Jan’14 fire, but it’s estimated that the livestock under management on these properties is double that and up to 20% (ie. 20,000 sheep, 1,000 cows) because of the higher rainfall and more intensive grazing areas affected this time.”
Mark added, “from the January fire, we know how big a drain it is on landholders and local CFS crew’s physical and mental health, to continue to mop-up, control break outs as the magnificent red and blue gum trees fall onto unburnt ground and re-ignite; in January the fire went on for 3 weeks before we had 100+mm of summer rain. The district is proud of its landscape and continues to strive to save as many trees as possible, and reduce the recurring risk”.
“And so we now have some properties that have been significantly burnt out twice within 11 months, and this time their neighbours who offered a lot of recovery assistance back in the autumn, have now suffered as well.”
Mark said, “The community valued the previous help and assistance offered, and did their best to thank people at that time, and are now are a little hesitant to be in the same situation so soon. But that is agriculture, and so the Angaston Ag Bureau is working in conjunction with Primary Producers SA and Livestock SA and is rallying once gain to put a call out for:
- Mop-up crews to put trees out (farm units) – Now
- Sheep Agistment (Now, Jan, Feb, Mar)
- Fodder (Jan-Feb - producers will cover the freight)
- Fencing crews (Jan, Feb, Mar)
Mark concluded, “we know many regional communities, organisations and individuals dug deep in our time of despair last January-February, and we’d hope some communities may work together to afford some collective help.”
To assist the Angaston Ag Bureau, Livestock SA would welcome any donations of grain, hay and agistment.
Together with Grain Producers SA, Livestock SA is asking members of both organisations, particularly those closer to the Barossa, if they are able to assist.
New Livestock SA President, Geoff Power said “Donations of fodder or offers of agistment for producers effected by fire would be most welcomed.
“While initially for those near Angaston and Springton, some of who have been hit twice by bushfire this year, we also need to be ready with the bushfire season just starting.”
Anyone wishing to donate feed or to offer agistment is asked to ring Livestock SA on 8297 2299 or email admin@livestocksa.org.au.
For media interviews: Geoff Power, Livestock SA President, 0428 581 067
Mark Grossman, Angaston Ag Bureau, 0408 085 682.
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