Farmers in southeast NSW have lost at least 2800 animals to bushfires since Christmas but once the weekend's deaths are counted it's feared the tally could reach 20,000.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is providing struggling farmers with emergency fodder and water, animal care, livestock assessment, and stock euthanasia and burial where necessary.
DPI state incident controller Karen Roberts urged those affected to register for help via a hotline or the NSW DPI Facebook page.
"Limited access to fire grounds and loss of power and phones in the area mean the full picture of losses and damage will take some time to emerge," Ms Roberts said in a statement on Monday.
The DPI estimates some 3900 livestock animals have been euthanised or died in bushfires across NSW this fire season.
The figure includes 700 stock killed in the Northern Tablelands, north coast and Hunter areas before Christmas and 400 stock lost around Lithgow and Bathurst over the Christmas and new year period.
The toll is expected to climb after many herds perished in fires that tore through southern NSW over the weekend.
NSW Farmers' Association chief executive Pete Arkle says the DPI figures don't include the most recent losses.
"The anecdotal feedback we are receiving from the south of the state is that there have been substantial stock losses over the weekend," he told AAP on Monday.
"It will probably be between 10,000 and 20,000. Some people had some lead time so they could move stock."
About 400 tonnes of fodder for surviving cattle will be sent to farms in Bega, Moruya and Milton as soon as fire activity eases.
Authorities aren't aware of any dairy herds being lost, Mr Arkle said.
But pasture and hay sheds have been destroyed and some areas are without power meaning generators are needed for milking.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Monday said helping farmers access their properties was a priority.
"Many cannot get back to their properties but on the provision of stock and fodder, we thank the people who have done hay runs and made donations," the deputy PM told reporters in Canberra.
He said the federal government would deploy 100 vets to ensure livestock carcasses around the country were disposed correctly.
Army reservists have been flagged to help carry out that job.
Australian Associated Press
