This week conditions have continued to deteriorate and for some, have become considerably worse, with bushfires enveloping properties along the Bells Line of Road. Unfortunately, the fire threat continues, but at times like this, we can appreciate the full depth of our community with our professional and volunteer organisations launching an impressive response to the fires.

This early start to the fire season is a major concern. However, of interest, some of the graziers I have spoken to consider that the fire risk will be less this year than last, because feed is so short and will diminish even further as we head into summer. 

At a suitable time, it is important that we learn from disasters like this in the hope that we can prevent, prepare for, respond to or recover from them better in the future. In this regards NSW DPI, with funding from the State and Commonwealth Natural Disaster Resilience Program, is running a series of half-day workshops across NSW with the aim of collating experiences and suggestions on the care of animals before and during a natural disaster.

 In our area, they will be held in Goulburn on November 6, Wagga Wagga on the 8th and in Dubbo on November 15.

If you would like further information or are interested in attending, call Greg Markwick on 0411 139 665.

While the fires have commanded our attention, we have also had an outbreak of avian influenza on a poultry operation near Young.

As both the bushfires and response to avian influenza are ongoing, it is premature to discuss them further.