Supporting dairy farmers through flood recovery

Introduction

The Nicholson family from Jones Island in the Manning Valley had been farming dairy cattle for several years before the floods in 2021.

The nearby town, Taree was inundated with near record floodwaters after 900 mm of rain fell in February and March 2021. Another 800 mm of rain fell in February and March 2022 followed by ongoing wet weather which compounded the impacts of the initial flooding.

Challenge

To future proof the dairy farm from further flooding and natural disaster.

The floodwaters cut off the Nicholson's farm from the highway stopping tankers being able to collect milk for 8 days, meaning it had to be tipped down the drain. They also lost hundreds of bales of silage which would feed their cattle the following autumn and winter. Floodwaters and prolonged inundation also destroyed their pastures leaving them with no feed.  

Solution

When flood waters receded on the Nicholson’s dairy farm, animal health and welfare were the main priorities.

Local Land Services' Early Needs Recovery Program provided support to impacted farmers with one-on-one consults by industry experts for up to 2 years.

The Nicholson’s worked with the support of an industry expert and were empowered to re-establish themselves in the industry. They received mentoring and advice on the best way forward for recovery after the floods. With this strong support network and the confidence to prioritise hard decisions, they were able to innovate and future proof their dairy farm.

Innovations included the installation of a concrete pad on higher ground allowing cattle to be fed on dry ground during flood events and wet periods. 

Outcomes

With the advice and support received through the one-on-one consultations and from Local Land Services, the Nicholson’s made informed decisions and on ground changes on their farm to help build resilience.

The introduction of the new concrete pad on high ground has:

• improved animal health
• reduced feed wastage from around 30% to 3%
• reduced costs
• positioned the Nicholson's to be better prepared for future disasters.

The Nicholson’s have continued their journey by making their own silage and started growing summer crops for the first time easing pressure on their grazing systems. 

Funding and partnerships

Completed in September 2024, the $13 million Early Needs Recovery Program was part of the $150 million Primary Industry Support Package, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The services provided under the Early Needs Recovery Program were delivered by Local Lands Service in partnership with:

• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
• industry
• not-for-profit organisations
• local control authorities.