Cattle surrounded by floodwaters in Queensland’s channel country. Photo: Helen CommensAS producers and communities begin to assess the damage from widespread flooding in recent weeks, a barrage of funding, grants and other information has been released.

The sprawling, but slow moving, nature of the channel country rivers means that many paddocks are still too wet to access and the impact of the flooding will still take months to find out.

Satellite images have started to emerge to show the scale of the floods, which look small compared to the landmass of Queensland, but take up huge swaths of the channel country.

Satellite mapping from Cibo Labs showing the scale of the channel country floods.

Beef Central has compiled five updates on the flooding situation from the weekend.

Hay drops still ongoing

Helicopter work is ongoing in the area, with the areal route still the only way of taking goods to certain stations and dropping hay to livestock in paddocks.

The hay drops are expected to take place for a few more weeks yet, with some in the area telling Beef Central that new supply will be welcome.

Quilpie has been a centre for the hay drops, with areas downstream of Quilpie around Thargomindah and Eulo now in full swing.

Saleyards back operating again

Many saleyards that abandoned their sales last week are expected to go back this week, albeit with smaller numbers than usual.

Roma 2200 booked in for tomorrow, with Gracemere expected to have 1800 on Wednesday.

Prime Minister announces dedicated funding for exclusion fences

After receiving plenty of criticism about his absence in Western Qld during the flooding, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travelled to Longreach at the weekend with emergency management minister Jenny McAllister.

He announced a dedicated $105m fund to replace damaged exclusion fences in the area. The addition of exclusion fences appears to have a lot to the damage bill during these floods.

Our farmers are so important to our country – and it’s right that Australia supports them as they rebuild after these floods. pic.twitter.com/skwp0Q7rDF

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 5, 2025

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud welcomed the announcement.

“I am relieved the Federal and State Governments have stepped up and agreed to announce this crucial funding for exclusion fencing,” he said.

Mr Littleproud said exclusion fencing was a vital part of the agriculture industry to enable farmers to rebuild and keep predators such as wild dogs and feral pigs out.

So far, 152,548 livestock have been reported dead or missing; 75,498 cattle, 68,800 sheep, and 8,250 goats, horses and other animals.

7,148 kilometres of private roads and 5,301 kilometres of general fencing have also been impacted.

Mr Littleproud said it’s important local communities know they are not alone and that western Queensland primary producers in the Local Government Areas of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton also now have access to a $5 million Emergency Fodder Support Package.

Banks announce support measures

Westpac, NAB, Commonwealth, ANZ and Rabobank have all announced different support measures for customers impacted by the floods.

The most detailed summary of support for rural customers came from Rabobank, who said it was going to implement a range of measures, including:

• ‘carry on’ finance to keep viable operations running
• Waiver of break costs on early redemption of Farm Management Deposits to allow access to needed funds
• Deferral of scheduled loan payments and waiver of fees on loan increases necessary for rebuilding operations.

Charity efforts currently taking place

Several charity efforts are currently taking place to raise money for people impacted by the floods.

Most of the big charity organisations have announced fundraisers and events are taking place to raise money.

Other appeals have been released for products like avgas and some have been travelling out west to stock up the hay supplies.

Tickets have opened for a fundraising ball at the Brisbane City Hall on April 26, with Charlotte Hood, Amy Kuhne and Bella Hanson hoping to raise $100,000 for Farm Angels.