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Protect Your Farm

Insurance

Obtain insurance coverage for all farm resources at risk from fire including crops and livestock - government disaster financial assistance is limited and only covers uninsurable perils.

Livestock

Cattle being evacuated

Owners should have an evacuation plan for livestock if threatened by fire. If your animals cannot be moved into a safe area on your property, make and confirm transporation and feeding arrangements in advance.

Loss of farm animals can most easily be prevented by:

  • Preparing and maintaining fuel-reduced areas onto which stock can be moved and held during a fire.
  • Using a ploughed or heavily grazed field with a minimum of grass or stubble - if possible, this field should be located well away from any forested areas, and to the leeward side of your property.
  • Using pastures with shade and water available for sheltering livestock.
  • Building concrete or metal structures, located away from forest vegetation provides another livestock shelter option, and the ability to be cooled with sprinklers.
wildfire on farm

Horses and cattle fare relatively well during wildfire events while pigs, sheep and poultry are more vulnerable, often succumbing to heat stress before the fire even arrives.

In a last resort situation where you are unable to move livestock into a fire safe area, as long as there is no danger to people or vehicular traffic, it is advisable to cut fences, turning the animals loose to take their chances with the fire.

Feed Crops

Hay stacks, hay sheds and silos must be protected. The reserves they contain may be the only stock feed available after a large fire. Hay stacks

Surround fodder reserves with a bare area at least 5 meters wide with another 20 meter wide fuel reduced strip around this. Do not attempt to burn off around these areas. Graze, mow and slash grass to desired height.

Dry hay before it is baled and stored to prevent spontaneous combustion.

Store hay away from roads and boundary fences.

Grazing livestock can be used to reduce flammable grass around building, fence lines and haystacks. Erect a temporary fence to enable stock to graze right up to fodder reserves to reduce the fire risk.