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This article was published in 1957
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
Flood Relief (Stock) by Air
E. G. LOWE, B.V.Sc., Veterinary Inspector, Coonamble
There is nothing that is new, of course, in the providing of fodder for stock cut off for any reason, from drought to flood, from their normal supplies; nor is there much that is new in these days in the use of aircraft in the daily life of almost all of us. There is a great deal, though, that is new in the use of aircraft for the supply of fodder to flood-bound stock, and the purpose of this note is to record the first real attempt on a major scale to provide adequate relief for stock by airlift - in the Coonamble District during 1956,
Owing to the repeated flooding of the Macquarie River during that year, a number of properties in the area known as the Macquarie Marshes (where the river bed normally is wide and shallow) became seriously affected. All stock in this area was confined for long periods to limited ridges of slightly-higher country. Naturally, the ridges soon became denuded of feed. The scrub in the region was not suitable for stock feeding.
Twelve properties required assistance; in an area which extended from about six miles south of Quambone to within two miles of Carinda. It was over this area that the flood waters inundated the marsh country; the water being mainly of a slow-moving type, and ranging in depth from a few inches to about four feet.
Aircraft had been in use, and very well tried, in carrying and dropping food supplies to families and individuals marooned in food waters, and when it was decided to extend this relief to the animal population involved, the R.A.A.F. cominenced operations on 5th August; making a total of some sixty flights. In all, 4,830 bales were dropped; a total of just over 158½ tons of fodder. The plane used was a Dakota of 86 Transport Wing, stationed at Canberra. For the fodder lift this machine operated from Coonamble. To facilitate loading and dropping the side hatch was removed and a roller conveyor bolted to the floor. In loading, fodder was rolled up the conveyor and then stacked on either side of the plane; in dropping, the conveyor was of great assistance in rapidity of handling. The official load of the aircraft used was 6,000 lb.
The writer was co-opted to supervise operations owing to the illhealth of the State Emergency Officer for the district and, in addition, was one of the two local officers appointed as "spotters" on the various flights.
The feeding of stock from the air in circumstances such as those which existed over the Macquarie Marshes during 1956 has been inaugurated. It was successful in spite of many difficulties due mainly to inexperience, and no doubt will be used again as other occasions arise. As stated, the purpose of this short note is to record the inauguration of a new service, but also (and of greater importance) to endeavour to analyse the deficiencies and advantages seen; in an effort to guide any future operations of a similar nature.
Type of Fodder. The types used covered a wide variety:
(a) Good lucerne hay. Well tied and easy to handle in loading and dropping. After dropping, a good quantity could be salvaged for further feeding on the following day.
(b) Good-quality clover hay. Well tied, full of burr and well grown. However, hard to handle as the burr fell and choked the rollers. Many bales broke in the plane and could not be dropped at all.
This hay later was pressed into wool-packs; when it became easy to handle in both stowing and dropping. When they hit the ground the packs burst along the seams but could be repaired easily. This probably is the ideal fodder and packing for the job.
(c) Wheaten hay. Same remarks as in (a) above.
(d) Freshly-cut lucerne. Cut early in the morning and carted direct to the plane. Extremely heavy to handle and, being wet, settled down into the rollers and was shifted only with difficulty.
An improvement was effected later by sprinkling wheaten hay liberally over the area to be cut; and then baling. The hay provided some resistance and the product was fairly satisfactory. The stockowners who received this fodder were most enthusiastic concerning it.
(e) Poor-quality meadow hay: and
(f) Poor quality clover hay. Both (e) and (f) were hard to handle. Tying was bad and a good deal of wastage occurred through broken bales. Owners reported that sheep fed well on these fodders, but it is felt that a better-quality hay would be more acceptable.
Spotters. The procedure of providing with each flight a local officer with a good knowledge of the area proved to be invaluable. Navigators agreed that such personnel afforded great assistance; since although a course could be set for the property to be visited, it was local knowledge which finally pinpointed the site, and this saved many hours of valuable flying time.
Markers. Information from the ground was not always satisfactory. Firstly, properties often were not marked clearly on the roof; abbreviations of long names would be an advantage.
Spots to drop were not always defined sufficiently. Some used white lines; not always detectable. White 44-gallon drums were quite good, Smoke, when used, frequently failed to be effective for several reasons. Often the fire was not made until the plane was sighted; when the fire was too vigorous and did not provide sufficient smoke. It was realised, of course, that in many cases inflammable material was in very short supply: and that in early-morning flights the heavy atmosphere prevented the smoke rising.
Markers must be more definite; since although the watcher on the ground becomes familiar with the plane, the crews change and can not become equally familiar with particular spots on the ground.
Some features peculiar to this particular airlift are of interest. For instance, in some cases the fodder was supplied by the owners in others it was purchased at the request of the owner. Two donors of 1,000 bales each were appreciated especially. Assistance given by civilians with no thought of gain was generous, and eased the strain on official personnel.
Wild pigs in the area were a problem. They were in great numbers and could be observed from the air on the outskirts of all mobs, even when humans were present with the stock.
The real value of the operation may be gathered from these figures: 39,500 sheep were fed, and losses among these totalled 7,500 (by far the greatest loss being 2,700 of a mob of 2,800; prior to the R.A.A.F. drop). The cattle fed totalled 1,200; losses being 100 head.