News

Stock danger tackled by farmers

By Geoff Adams

Oct 14, 2022

Water logged: John Gagiano races through water to head off a sheep, staggering under the sodden weight of its fleece.

Farmers have been moving stock to higher ground on Friday, October 14 as floodwaters moved down from Euroa across the lower flood plains, as far as Karramomus near Shepparton.

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The water from Seven Creeks and other creeks has flooded crops and threatened livestock.

The water severed roads and bridges on the main roads between Euroa and Shepparton.

Farmers like Geoff and Maree Teague at Karramomus were out moving their Angus cattle to higher ground.

They were hoping their house, built five years ago, and only a stone’s throw from Seven Creeks, would stay dry.

Nearby farmer John Gagiano worked with his family to save a flock of 220 sheep which had been cut off by rising flood waters.

The sheep were naturally wary of walking through floodwaters to safety, so the Gagianos and their three dogs had to literally push them through the water to higher ground.

Safe and sound: A flock of sheep is shepherded through the floodwaters at Karramomus.

They appeared to have saved them all.

For other farmers the threats were more prescient.

The Shepparton News team found one farmer beside the swollen Honeysuckle Creek preparing to defend their house which they expected might flood.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano is urging the Victorian Government to work with the Commonwealth and declare a natural disaster in flood-affected areas.

“It’s clear many will face a substantial clean up and we must support them as a priority,” Ms Germano said

“Support is what’s needed and our local communities need that now.”