Sheep in drought conditions.

NEW South Wales livestock producers will be offered advice on animal nutrition, water, mental health support and accessing assistance at a series of free bushfire and drought recovery sessions from this week.

The recovery information sessions are being held throughout bushfire and drought-affected regions to help livestock producers get back to business following the natural disasters.

MLA is also working in conjunction state government departments and farming organisations in South Australia and Victoria to schedule events in impacted regions.

MLA managing director Jason Strong said the information sessions formed part of a broader response package to support livestock producers during these challenging times.

“MLA has initiated several activities to support bushfire impacted producers as they start the recovery process,” he said.

“Events like these are vital – not only as a source of information to assist in the rebuild – but also to bring the community together.

“That sense of community, and understanding that they are not alone in rebuilding, can be just as important as other practical information,” Mr Strong said.

Local Land Services team leader ag advisory, Tom White, said the agency would continue to work with all stakeholders and industry groups to ensure it was assisting as many landholders as possible to recover following the a very trying summer.

The sessions in NSW are being hosted by Meat & Livestock Australia, its subsidiary Integrity Systems Company, NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Local Land Services with support from industry partners including Dairy Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, and NSW Farmers.

Further information sessions will be held in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria in the coming weeks. Dates and locations will be announced once confirmed.

Recovery information sessions are open livestock producer. The first round of forums will be held on:

• March 4: NABIAC – Nabiac Showground, 9.30am – 2.00pm
• March 5: LANSDOWNE, Lansdowne Community Hall, 9.30am – 2.00pm
• March 10: JINGELLIC, ‘Karoo’ – 371 Jingellic Road, 2.30pm – 5.30pm
• March 10: WINGHAM, Wingham Gold Club, 9.00am – 2.00pm
• March 11: TOOMA, ‘Kooyong’, 350 Lower Mannus Creek Road, 8.30am – 11.30am
• March 11: TUMBARUMBA, ‘Grassmere’, 179 East Burra Creek Road, 12.30pm – 3.30pm
• March 12: YAVEN CREEK, Yaven Creek Fire Shed, Yaven Creek Road, 8.30am – 11.30am
• March 12: GLOUCESTER, Gloucester Anglican Church Hall, 9.00am – 2.00pm
• March 12: OBERNE, Oberne Hall, 2449 Westbrook Road, 12.30pm – 3.30pm

For more information visit mla.com.au/events or lls.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/events