Farmers break rules to feed stock

Farmers have admitted taking the law into their own hands to save livestock at risk of dying of starvation and thirst.

They have defied road closures and directives from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to move cattle out of danger and to get feed and water to other livestock.

A Waroona farmer, who had 123 cattle consumed in the blaze, said he had spent the past few days ignoring authorities to truck cattle out of properties with no feed or fences.

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The farmer, who did not want to be named, said he had done what was necessary to help neighbours and prevent livestock perishing.

“The animal welfare issue is horrendous,” he said.

“I have used back roads and lied my way through to help organise trucks and get cattle out.”

Geoff Pearson, who runs a feedlot with 6000 cattle near Lake Preston, said yesterday he had only just secured permits to have feed trucked to his farm.

Mr Pearson, who lost part of his farm, said that in the crisis he had been forced to find ways and means to make sure cattle did not run out of feed.

He said cattle on other properties were being trucked to safety or destroyed.

“Farmers have taken it on themselves to do what needs to be done for the welfare of animals,” he said.

“Some cattle that did survive are in a situation where there is no feed, no hay and no water.”

Signs alerting consumers of a milk shortage began appearing in supermarkets yesterday.

Dairy processor Harvey Fresh advised farmers, who have been forced to dump tens of thousands of litres of milk, that it expected to get tankers through for collections from today.

The Department of Agriculture and Food WA said permits were required for vehicle access to fire-affected areas. It said any farmers needing urgent access should call 97806200 for help.

DAFWA said 426 farming properties had been hit by the fires but it was too soon to estimate stock losses.