Hundreds of cattle in North West Queensland are in a dire state of exhaustion and illness, reeling from the devastating floods that recently inundated the Richmond region. The animals, described as "shell-shocked" by local authorities, are facing a severe health crisis that adds another layer of hardship to graziers already battling immense property damage.
A Region Submerged and Livestock in Peril
The crisis unfolded after heavy rainfall caused the Flinders River to break its banks, leading to widespread flooding across the Richmond Shire. The deluge, which peaked around Tuesday, 25 February, transformed vast grazing lands into inland seas, stranding livestock and cutting off properties. Richmond Shire Council Mayor John Wharton reported that the floodwaters rose with alarming speed, leaving little time for response.
"We've got cattle that are just shell-shocked," Mayor Wharton stated, painting a grim picture of the aftermath. The animals are not only physically drained from fighting the currents and struggling to find dry ground but are also now succumbing to sickness. A significant concern is pneumonia, a respiratory illness that commonly strikes stressed and exposed livestock in the wake of such extreme weather events.
The Monumental Clean-Up and Recovery Challenge
The immediate floodwaters have begun to recede, but the scale of the recovery is staggering. Mayor Wharton estimates the damage to public infrastructure alone will run into the millions of dollars. Roads have been washed out, fences destroyed, and essential services disrupted. However, the welfare of the cattle represents one of the most pressing and emotionally taxing challenges for the agricultural community.
Farmers are now engaged in a desperate effort to locate, assess, and treat their herds. This involves mustering exhausted animals, providing veterinary care for the sick, and sadly, dealing with losses. The stress of the event on the livestock is profound, and recovery will be a long-term process requiring significant resources, feed, and medical intervention.
Looking Ahead: Resilience Tested in the Outback
This event is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Australia's agricultural heartland to climatic extremes. The Richmond floods of early 2024 have delivered a brutal one-two punch: first the destructive power of the water itself, and now the ongoing biological crisis within the herds that form the backbone of the local economy.
The community, known for its resilience, is banding together. The focus is now on supporting graziers through the complex recovery phase, which includes:
- Providing emergency fodder and veterinary supplies.
- Repairing critical infrastructure to restore access to properties.
- Navigating available state and federal disaster assistance programs.
While the flood peak has passed, the true impact on the region's cattle industry is still being tallied, as farmers work tirelessly to nurse their shell-shocked herds back to health.
