Latest news with #NSWfloods
ABC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Flood-hit dairy farmers are struggling, and it may mean higher milk prices
Exhausted and sore, slowly dragging their muddy hooves through the paddock to be milked after several days stranded. This is how some cattle emerged from the NSW floods, while hundreds more were washed away. "The calves were the ones that really took a hit," Croki dairy farmer Craig Emerton said. "We lost roughly 55 under 12-months-old." NSW is known for its fresh milk production, and typically cows are milked two or three times a day — every day of the year. The industry estimates more than 137 dairy farms across the state's Mid-North Coast and Hunter region were impacted by last week's record flooding. Some farms were isolated, equipment damaged and feed depleted. If cows were not lost, many are now unwell, suffering from lameness, mastitis and discomfort after missed milkings. "If they don't start milking again at a certain time, they stop milking," Josh Hack, a farmer and agronomist in Taree, said. "For these dairy farmers to get up and get going again … They've got no feed, they can't access feed, and now there's no cash flow." Dairy farmers have been increasingly forced to leave the industry in recent years, partly due to extreme weather, such as droughts, floods, and bushfires. Already NSW farms declined from 1,725 in 2000 to 452 in 2024, according to NSW government figures. Now farmers such as Mr Emerton — a fifth-generation farmer who lost dozens of cattle — may be the next to bow out. "I'm nearly 63. To build this back to what we had last week is going to take five years," Mr Emerton said. "Do I have it in me physically to do that now? Before this, I had been thinking about retirement." The impact of the floods could ultimately drive up the cost of milk for consumers with production expected to dwindle. Eliza Redfern, analysis and insights manager at Dairy Australia, said the challenging weather conditions across the region were having an impact on milk production at varying levels. EastAUSMilk forecast the flood could cut NSW production by 5 per cent. The price of milk will be what determines if some farmers survive long-term. On June 1, the farmgate prices will be set, which is the price paid by suppliers to farmers for milk. "We're totally reliant on this milk price being released," Port Macquarie dairy farmer Emily Neilson, said. "If it's not good enough, we're going to lose farmers in droves." Ms Neilson, whose farm supplies milk to Paul's Dairy, has a confronting few months ahead. From the outside her paddock looks lush and green, but underneath it's waterlogged. With winter approaching, it was too late to re-sow. "We don't know what we're going to feed the cows for the next six months," she said. Ms Neilson may have to buy extra truckloads of hay bales for her cows and 110 heifers. "Our feed bill per month, if we have to put everything on hay, will be a minimum of $70,000 a month," Ms Neilson said. "On the current milk price, our income is around about $65,000 a month. So if the feed bill is $70,000, I can't even pay my staff." She said currently they were not even receiving 55 per cent of the retail price for milk. The Dairy Australia outlook released this week was expecting higher farmgate milk prices for the upcoming season. Whether that gets passed onto consumers depends on retailers. "The retailers set the price paid for milk and dairy at the supermarket check-out," Ms Redfern from Dairy Australia said. If consumers don't carry the cost increase, they are often borne elsewhere in the supply chain, she added. In the short-term, Taree farmer Josh Hack said getting feed to farmers was crucial. Charity organisations such as Need for Feed were doing a great job, but it would be hard to help the volume of affected farms, he said. "For some people, this is a 12-month to two-year feed gap." Before last week's weather event, there were the 2021 floods, followed by years of more unpredictable conditions. Malcolm Holmes, chair of the NSW Farming steering committee, said dairy farming was an "intense business". Each farm employs at least three or four staff with dozens more in the community, he said. But the sustainability of the industry was being questioned in the face of ongoing challenges. "There's a lot less dairy farmers than there used to be," Mr Holmes said. "Some areas will bounce back, but I think a number of farmers will really question, 'is this really worth it'?"
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: Call for disaster ‘volunteer army', car hits Liverpool parade, rock art fears over gas plan
Morning everyone. Our exclusive top story hears from veterans on the frontline of disaster relief calling for federal funding to set up a 10,000 volunteer army to help the recovery from extreme weather events such as last week's NSW floods. Overseas, a car has ploughed into crowds celebrating Liverpool's Premier League win. Plus, the incident between a president and his wife that has all France talking – but Emmanuel Macron says everyone needs to just calm down. High politics | Adelaide's first skyscraper – planned to be 38 storeys and 160m high – will be a 'phallic' construction overshadowing the birthplace of women's suffrage, critics say. Exclusive | A veteran-led organisation on the frontline of disaster recovery wants federal government support to help establish a 10,000-strong volunteer army. Exclusive | Most Australian women are not aware that intrauterine devices are the most effective form of contraception, with experts saying this nationwide 'failure in public education' has contributed to low uptake. Bali accused | An Australian man accused of trying to smuggle drugs into Bali faces 'the death penalty or life in jail' if found guilty, police on the Indonesian tourist island said yesterday after parading him in a prison jumpsuit. Exclusive | One of the architects of the Indigenous voice to parliament, Megan Davis, says Aboriginal Australians increasingly feel the government is not listening to their views on laws and policy design in the wake of the referendum defeat. Liverpool arrest | A man has been detained after a car collided with pedestrians in Liverpool city centre after Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has called the incident 'shocking and horrendous' Follow developments live. Gloves off | Germany will remove range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine – to enable it to defend itself against Russia. It came after Moscow launched its third consecutive night of drone strikes against Ukraine, killing at least six people, and Donald Trump complained that Vladimir Putin has 'gone crazy'. 'Speak out' | A former president of Harvard University has urged people to 'speak out' to defend 'foundational threats' to American values from the Trump administration. In his speech to mark Memorial Day, Trump took credit for the US hosting the 2026 football World Cup (alongside Canada and Mexico) and the 2028 Summer Olympics – and said 'I have everything'. Follow developments live. Gaza strike | An Israeli strike on a school housing displaced people in Gaza killed at least 33 people on Monday, coming after the head of a US-backed private humanitarian organisation distributing aid resigned, saying the operation could not fulfil its mission in a way that adhered to 'humanitarian principles'. Macron moment | Emmanuel Macron has denied he and his wife, Brigitte, had an altercation after a video appeared to show her pushing him in the face as they prepared to get off a plane in Vietnam. Will Labor take its chance to act on climate? Nour Haydar speaks to Adam Morton about why there will never be a better chance for Labor to deliver on climate. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ One of the first big decisions that the new environment minister needs to make is whether Woodside can extend the life of the North West Shelf LNG plant in Western Australia. There are concerns about damage to rock art – a report on the issue downplays the risk but our environment editor Adam Morton says evidence buried deep in the document shows that local pollution is now about four times worse than in the 1960s and 1970s. A new exhibition co-presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Art Gallery of NSW celebrates the work and lives of 50 pioneering Australian women who from the late 19th century 'traded the antipodes for Bohemian melting pots in Bloomsbury and Chelsea, or Paris's left bank' to develop their art. Walter Marsh finds out more. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Rugby league | New South Wales appear to be favourites going into Game One of this year's State of Origin series in Brisbane tomorrow night. Tennis | There were major upsets for two of the top American seeds at the French Open overnight, as Taylor Fritz and Emma Navarro crashed out in the first round. Women's football | Arsenal's three Matildas were among the players celebrating with fans as they paraded the Women's Champions League in north London. The Sydney Morning Herald claims the Minns government is under pressure to step in and buy back the Northern Beaches hospital after Healthscope went bust, while the Mercury says there are also concerns in Tasmania about the future of Hobart Private. The Telegraph enjoys what it calls the 'Origin spy drama' and says the Blues are using drones to find out who filmed their training session. A huge dust storm blanketed parts of Victoria and NSW as it travelled east from South Australia, the Age reports. Gold Coast | Forum on overcoming Indigenous family violence. Health | ABS releases data on serum levels of Pfas for under-12s. Sydney | First case management conference for Bob Brown Foundation legal action against federal environment law changes. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
BTN Newsbreak 26/05/2025
FLOOD RECOVERY Emergency warnings have been lifted in New South Wales flood zones, and locals in some areas are starting to assess the damage. From muddy floors to soggy paddocks, people in some flood hit parts of NSW are starting to return home to see just how bad the damage is. Authorities think at least 10,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed or seriously damaged, with hundreds of homes too unsafe to return to. Thousands of residents are also still cut off by floodwaters. And whether it's by helicopter, boat, or drone, emergency services are still working hard carrying out rescues and delivering much needed supplies. While the worst of the wild weather is over, authorities are urging people to stay away from floodwaters, and that it could be a while before things get back to normal. MILLION PAWS WALK Thousands of dogs and their humans pounded the pavement on the weekend for the last ever national Million Paws Walk. The event, run by the RSPCA, has been running for the past 30 years to raise money for animals in need. In its time, more than 750,000 humans and 400,000 pooches have raised more than $17 million. But organisers say the cost of living crisis and increasing event costs mean it's now too expensive to run, so they're hanging up the leash for the final time. MONACO GP It was a huge win for McLaren's Lando Norris. While he took the lead quickly, he also got into trouble quickly, surviving an early scare when he nearly sent his car into the barrier in lap one. But he managed to hold on for the win, beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who came in second with teammate and Aussie star Oscar Piastri coming in third. WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE Over in Portugal, Arsenal has defeated Barcelona 1-nil in the Women's Champions League final, thanks in part to three of our Matildas! Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both took to the field for the Gunners, while Kyra Cooney-Cross was an unused substitute. FRENCH OPEN Finally to the French Open, where four all-time tennis legends came together to celebrate 14 time French open champion Rafael Nadal, who retired last year. Rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all took to the court as part of a special ceremony, paying tribute to Rafa's career, which is a pretty rare sight! CLOWN DAY First up, to Peru! Where hundreds of clowns have hit the streets to celebrate the country's annual Clown Day. It's big parade to celebrate all things clowning, and to pay homage to a famous Peruvian clown, Tony Perejil, who was known as the clown of the poor, and used to travel around town performing pop up shows back in the 1980s. KERMIT GRADUATION Now to a graduation ceremony in the United States, where Kermit the frog was asked to give the official commencement speech. Kermit's creator, Jim Henson, graduated from the University of Maryland back in 1960, so it's a bit of a full circle moment for the green puppet. BORDER COLLIE PATROL And finally, it's time to meet to Ned and Hercules, the two border collies single-handedly holding down the fort at this airport in West Virginia. Well, specifically, their job is to chase off any wildlife that gets in the way of planes. Hercules has been doing the job for 8 years now, and has been training Ned up since last year.
Daily Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Telegraph
NSW floods gallery: Images from on the ground as extreme weather event unfolds
NSW floods gallery: Images from on the ground as extreme weather event unfolds Extreme weather conditions are lashing the NSW north coast, with 50,000 currently isolated, one person confirmed dead and three others currently missing. Here's a look at what's happening on the ground.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Three dead and one missing in NSW floods
Three people are dead and one person remains missing in major NSW floods while SES workers and community members carry out recovery efforts.
