Queensland graziers pushed to the brink as feed runs dry
Nearly a month after vast swathes of Queensland were drought declared, pastures are bare, rivers have stopped running, and hay sheds sit empty.
South-west Queensland is facing severe drought conditions, with vast areas declared drought-stricken for the first time in two years. Producers are forced to ship feed long distances, and many are destocking their animals due to lack of grazing. Greg Finlay, a mixed cattle and crop farmer near Texas, reported that his hay sheds were empty for the first time in his 28-year career.
The region, roughly twice the size of Belgium, has received only 167 millimeters of rainfall this year, far below the annual average of 650 millimeters. Wildlife carers are struggling to care for animals as creeks dry up and food sources become scarce, with some wildlife being rescued due to road injuries while searching for sustenance.
Hazard-reduction burns are being conducted to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season, but firefighters have less time to complete these crucial tasks due to the prolonged hot summer.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
