Farmer heartbroken after cull

LAST week, third-generation farmer Keith Slorach gave the last of his guns away. 

Having just been declared bankrupt, the 60-year-old could no longer trust himself with the weapons after having just witnessed the rounding up of his precious merino flock for slaughter on his Mortchup farm near Linton.

“I have been stressed, angry,” Mr Slorach said.

“The thought (of committing suicide) has crossed my mind ... that’s why I gave my guns away.”

With temperamental weather, the high Australian dollar and the global financial crisis affecting exports, many Victoria farmers are doing it tough. But Mr Slorach’s story reminds you of how heartbreaking it can be. He is holding on, but fate was less kind to his pedigree animals.

Starting on August 21, the 1000 superfine merino sheep and 120 cattle — some of them pregnant — were slaughtered either on the 277 hectare farm or taken to nearby abattoirs. The culling was done on the recommendation of the Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI).

Mr Slorach said the animals that were killed on the farm included about 50 calves and about 750 lambs, some of whom were just a day old.

A neighbour, who saw the slaughter take place, said he was horrified.

“I was working on my property feeding stock when I saw them separate the lambs from the ewes,” he said.

“The calves and lambs, still on their mothers ... were put down – by shooting – and carted away.

“The calves were singing out for their mothers and the mothers were singing out for their calves.”

Victorian Farmers Federation regional manager Peter Walsgott said farmers were increasingly doing it tough. 

“Anecdotally, I have heard the number of farmers going to debt mediation has increased,” Mr Walsgott said.

“The average farm is worth $5 million, farmers are asset rich and income poor. 

“Community needs to do more to support farmers.”

Mr Walsgott said there was a federal government farm finance package that came into effect in mid-July. 

But the loan scheme was a week too late for Mr Slorach. 

SV Partners director Peter Gountzos, whose firm has been appointed trustees for the bankrupt estate of Mr Slorach, said the decision to ‘euthanase’ the animals was taken on the assessment of DEPI. 

The animals, he said, had to be “dealt with” because the “majority were not in a suitable condition” and there was little or no feed available. 

But Mr Slorach’s friend for 30 years, Peter Sporton said only one cow had been found to be diseased and further tests needed to be carried out to ascertain the true condition of the rest of the stock. 

He said, there had been an offer of a donation of 100 large squares of weather damaged hay, and a further 50 round bales of variable quality hay.

“Had he been allowed to keep the animals for three more months, he would have raised about $122,000,” Mr Sporton said.

    “This is a 60-year-old farmer with an excellent history of contributing to society.

“He will now be a recipient of welfare and totally humiliated. 

“As a community we are not supporting the practice of farming. We have all failed.”

Mr Slorach said his trouble started when he couldn’t afford to pay back $5000 for a few rams. 

The company, he said, moved to make him bankrupt after which his bank called in a loan of about $800,000.

About $50,000 worth of wool went down with those sheep,” he said.

THE Department of Environment and Primary Industries has said animal welfare was behind a decision to ‘euthanase’ a bankrupt farmer’s 1200 cattle, sheep, calves and day-old lambs.

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI), media and communications mana-

ger of regional communications Melanie Curtis said multiple visits to the property uncovered poor animal health. 

“DEPI worked closely with the previous owner of the livestock in an attempt to overcome the welfare issues,” Ms Curtis said. 

She said DEPI provided veterinary advice to the new owners of the livestock regarding their future management, taking into consideration their body condition, immediate and future needs and disease status.

“Based on this advice those animals in fit condition to move were removed from the property,” she said.

“Some animals have had to be euthanased on site due to poor health or unsuitability for transport.”

Ms Curtis said humanely destroying these livestock on farm prevented any further pain and suffering. 

SV Partners director Peter Gountzos, whose firm has been appointed trustees for the bankrupt estate of Mr Slorach, said the decision to ‘euthanase’ the animals was taken on the assessment of DEPI. 

Though, Mr Gountzos did not have exact numbers, he said based on the DEPI’s review, the ‘majority’ of the animals were not in a suitable condition.

“We were effectively provided with a notice (by DEPI) to deal with the animals ... as a consequence the livestock that could be removed by way of transport were sent to abattoirs ... for meat purposes.”

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