FARMERS around Australia immediately swung into action to help fire-ravaged Victorians.
Led by the state and national farmer groups thousands of tonnes of fodder have already been collected and were en route to fire-affected areas.
While stock loss numbers are unknown, the biggest worry is loss of pasture and feed resources for hundreds of farmers already battling drought.
About 180 broadacre farmers have suffered losses so far.
VFF president Simon Ramsay was overwhelmed by the generosity of Australian farmers.
"You have drought-affected Tasmanian farmers sending feed, Queensland is under water, and they're sending some, and NSW, and they are in as bad a drought as us - quite amazing," he said.
So far eight semi-loads of hay have been donated, with more on the way.
Mr Ramsay said pick up points were being set up at Whittlesea, Trafalgar and Redesdale, but others would be set up in places such as Yea, as needed.
"If we need it we'll get it, we're now taking a register of people ready to help."
Mr Ramsay said the Victorian farming community would recover. "We've been through many fires, and at least there is less stock lost than in previous fires," he said.
Within just hours of calling for donations of fodder, Southern Farming Systems has been inundated with offers.
With two trucks of hay and one of oats ready to go, they were waiting for roads to open.
And farmers needing a place to keep their stock can also look to major saleyards. All livestock, including horses and alpacas, were welcome at Pakenham, Leongatha and Sale, Victorian Livestock Exchange managing director Graham Osborne said.
He said producers could bring fodder if they had it but he "wouldn't be letting any stock starve" if they did not. Hundreds of cattle were brought in Monday from the Bunyip-region fires. Wodonga and Wangaratta saleyards were also accepting stock.
