THERE are unconfirmed reports about 60 livestock have been killed in the Gippsland fires.

But many Gippsland farmers are counting themselves lucky with lower stock deaths than expected and tales of cattle surviving on farms which were completely burnt.

It's understood Department of Primary Industries animal welfare officers have been into affected areas of Dawson, Seaton and Glenmaggie, but they were unable to confirm stock losses.

Seaton resident Mick McManus who stayed to defend his property said he had heard approximately 60 head of cattle had died on at a property between Heyfield and Seaton.

Glenmaggie cattle producer Glen Cumming’s 500ha farm was severely burnt on Friday, but so far he had accounted for 300 of his approximately 330 head of cattle.

He said the cattle survived despite the fire attacking his property from four different directions.

“I found one mob near the house which burnt fairly hot…I went looking for them and I was rapt they were near a fence line with another mob,” Mr Cummings said.

He said his priority now was to draft the cattle and send them away for agistment.

“We have drafted off 65 heifers and they will be going tomorrow morning to a mates place at Heyfield,” Mr Cummings said.

“We’ve had heap of offers of hay but I want to get cows off the property and not worry about feeding on the farm.”

Dawson Hereford stud owners Bill and Annie Lack also considered themselves lucky with all their stock accounted for.

He lost his main stock yards and hayshed when all but half a hectare of his 70ha property was burnt, but his house and two other sheds were saved.

He said his 40 breeders, 35 weaners and handful of bulls survived but now was in the process of trying to draft them and he’d had numerous offers of adjustment and fodder. 

“The offers I have had has been tremendous, I had hay come in today…and another truck which is coming in tomorrow,” Mr Lack said.

The DPI is set to establish an incident management team in Maffra which will be in operation tomorrow and anyone seeking assistance with animal health issues should call 136 186.