Livestock producers are being warned to prepare for extreme heat in coming days.
Southern areas of the country have been sweltering in heatwave-like conditions, with parts of South Australia and Victoria yesterday recording their highest November temperatures in more than 100 years.
While temperatures are tipped to ease in those states in coming days, the mercury is set to exceed 40 degrees in New South Wales today and into the weekend, prompting warnings for landholder to put in place plans for livestock and animals.
"Heatwaves can be fatal for livestock, particularly for at risk animals such as lambs and calves, older animals or animals in poor condition,” New South Wales DPI emergency manager, Simon Oliver, Mr Oliver said.
"Intensive industries such as dairies, feedlots, poultry and pigs need to take particular care in hot weather.
"Other impacted industries include livestock transport, abattoirs and saleyards and animal holding establishments such as zoos, kennels and vet clinics.
"On top of livestock fatalities, heatwaves can cause significant losses of production right across our agricultural industries including horticultural and cropping."
In preparing for extreme heat conditions, DPI offers some common sense advice for farmers and producers:
• Ensure shade is available to protect animals from sun and wind.
• Ensure stock have easy access to cool, clean water, preferably close to shaded areas. Animals can drink up to double the amount of water in hot weather.
• Stock movements should be minimised and animals should only be moved in the cool part of the day.
• Monitor livestock regularly and check for any signs of heat exposure, including sweating, excessive panting and drooling.
"Livestock carriers also need to take special care, including planning out their journeys and knowing how to deal with unexpected delays or breakdowns."
Ouyen in north-western Victoria reached a top of 45.8 degrees yesterday afternoon, the hottest November day ever in Victoria.
Temperatures in Melbourne last night stayed above 24 degrees, the first time that has happened since 1901.
Meera Vijayan of The Weather Channel said the baking conditions have been caused by northerly winds ahead of low-pressure trough, which has been driving in the heat from a hot pool of air over central Australia.
“Thankfully, those in the region hoping for a cool change will not have too long.
“Southerly winds following in the passage of this system will see Adelaide’s maximum temperatures drop to 31?C tomorrow before dropping even further to highs of just 24?C over the weekend.
"Similarly, Melbourne too will see temperatures fall by 10 degrees to a high of 28?C on Friday before dropping to 26?C on Saturday and 21?C come Sunday."