Community is King in Kerang
Simon Schlitz, Branch Manager Nutrien Ag Solutions Kerang said he couldn’t be prouder of how the community banded together to decrease the impacts of the floods to the town.
“The Kerang township is surrounded by eighteen kilometres of levy banks, so we’re lucky that we already have parameters in place. However, that doesn’t protect surrounding farmlands and with the amount of pressure from the 10 days of floods the levy did breach in places.”
“The floods highlighted areas in the levy that needed more support. The Nutrien Kerang team got to work filling bulka bags with 1000 kilograms of sand and transporting them to a nearby paddock for a helicopter to pick up and drop at the necessary locations.”
“Some farmers in the region had land that was all quickly going underwater. Our team worked with the wider community of farmers and other growers to find somewhere to house the stock, then help move the stock to the higher land.”
“The special thing about regional communities, is if you put your hand up and need help, someone will come.”
“My own farm is located to the west of the town, and I was incredibly grateful that while I was out west securing my land, the other Nutrien team members kept the ship afloat in town. They also continued to be a pillar of support for the community, with sandbagging, moving stock and providing any facilities and they could.”
The region is now in recovery mode with water still being pumped off properties, fences being mended and some farmers beginning harvest. The outlook for Victorian farmers season is promising with crop production still expected to be a record.
Crop abandonment in the eastern states due to flooding and extreme rainfall over spring is estimated to total around 16% of planted area in New South Wales, 7% in Victoria and 5% in Queensland according to the ABARES December crop report.
“Farmers will bounce back. The passion and love for what they do always wins and shines through during times of destress,” Simon said.
If you are looking for support following the floods, please check our resources HERE.
