On-farm bushfire recovery resources

Following a bushfire there are many decisions that need to be made in relation to the immediate needs of livestock or production systems. Other decisions can be made in the longer term such as the need for pasture establishment. To assist in making decisions for your on-farm recovery a range of technical information and advice can be found on this page.

To speak to an Agriculture Recovery Manager phone 136 186.

Support programs

Experiencing a bushfire on your farm can be distressing and traumatic. It can also be a time of financial pressure. There is a range of support services and programs that can assist you and your family. For more information visit:

• Bushfire recovery programs
• Check your health and wellbeing

Recovery after an emergency

• Fire recovery checklist
• Recovery after emergency – information for farmers
• Recovery after fire guide (PDF - 1.1 MB)
• Recovery after fire guide (WORD - 290.5 KB)

Managing livestock

Assessing, euthanasia and disposal of livestock

• Assessing cattle after a bushfire
• Assessing sheep after bushfire
• Euthanasia of livestock
• Disposing of carcases after bushfire, flood or drought

Water

• Building a sediment fence
• Organic pollution in farm dams
• Stock water impacted by bushfire ash and debris
• Managing farm water supplies
• Water quality for farm water supplies
• Water supply for sheep and beef cattle in containment areas

Feeding and agistment of livestock

• Feeding Livestock – Beef cattle drought feeding book
• Sheep drought feeding book
• Guide to introducing grain to sheep and cattle (PDF - 234.9 KB)
• Guide to introducing grain to sheep and cattle (WORD - 164.6 KB)
• Agistment of livestock affected by a bushfire
• Feeding and agisting livestock
• Stock containment areas

Bees

• Assistance for beekeepers affected by bushfires
• Caring for heat and smoke affected apiaries

Horses and pets

• Horses and livestock in emergencies
• Assessing horses after bushfires
• Horses and bushfire
• Fire emergency information for pet and horses owners  (PDF - 431.0 KB)
• Fire emergency information for pet and horses owners (WORD - 908.1 KB)
• Care of pets exposed to smoke and ash

Horticulture

• Recovery from fire damage in fruit orchards
• Recovery of olive groves after fire

Managing your property

Fencing

• Re-fencing considerations after fire or flood

Pasture

• Pasture recovery
• Pasture recovery after fire – Quick reference guide (PDF - 1.5 MB)
• Pasture recovery after fire – Quick reference guide (WORD - 574.4 KB)

Weeds

• Reducing weed risk

Shelter

• Cattle shelter guidelines
• Sheep shelter guidelines
• Caring for animals during extreme heat

Plans and manuals

• State Emergency Management Plan
• Municipal Emergency Animal Welfare Sub-Plan (PDF - 946.1 KB)
• Municipal Emergency Animal Welfare Sub-Plan (WORD - 1.3 MB)
• Victorian Animal Emergency Welfare Plan (PDF - 2.3 MB)
• Victorian Animal Emergency Welfare Plan (WORD - 62.7 KB)