As a result of continued drought in the eastern states, the number of sheep, lambs and cattle being slaughtered has steadily increased as producers in effected regions reduce stock numbers.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show and increase in livestock and meat slaughter for June 2018.
Cattle slaughter increased by 5,700 head – 0.9 per cent. This is compared with the previous month and increased by 47,600 head, or 7.8 per cent, year-on-year.
Calf slaughter increased by 615 head, 1.8 per cent, for the month ending June 2018 – compared with the previous month and increased by 3,300 head, 10.3 per cent, year-on-year.
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Sheep slaughter increased by 47,100 head, 5.7 per cent, for the month ending June 2018 –compared with the previous month and increased by 245,400 head, 39.3 per cent, year-on-year.
Lamb slaughter increased by 29,400 head, or 1.4 per cent, for the month ending June 2018 – compared with the previous month and increased by 226,700 head, 12.2 per cent, year-on-year.
Pig slaughter increased by 706 head, 0.2 per cent, for the month ending June 2018 – compared with the previous month and increased by 12,000 head, 2.7 per cent, year-on-year.
With the drought affecting so many farmers, governments and supermarkets are among those helping to provide funds to drought-stricken areas.
Woolworths is supporting drought affected farmers with a $1.5million funding boost to Rural Aid.
Hundreds of farmers will benefit from the $1.5million investment from Woolworths via Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale program, which provides support to farmers in need by delivering hay for cattle feed, as well as other essential items.
The support from Woolworths will also allow Rural Aid to increase the number of counsellors they have supporting farmers and their families impacted by mental health issues as a result of the drought.
Coles is also giving out $5 million in grants and interest-free loans from its nurture fund to help farmers across Australia combat drought.
In the past year, Coles also provided more than half a million dollars in grants to farmers who applied to the Coles nurture fund to implement initiatives to make them less dependent on rain.