The New South Wales Farmers Association has issued a "please explain" notice to the State Government over a decision to leave livestock producers out of a $140 million bushfire-aid program.
President James Jackson said the group was perplexed by the announcement on top-up funding, and was not aware of the reasons why the decision had been made.
Mr Jackson said they "do not understand the decision, as many sheep and cattle farmers were devastated by the fires".
"It does seem curious for these farmers to be excluded," he said.
"The program has some merit, but to scope it off for beef and sheep farmers doesn't make sense.
"I would be interested to hear what the rationale is on this decision myself".
Farmers fuming over decision
One beef and sheep producer in Cobargo in the south east of New South Wales, Warren Salway, said he was "disgusted" by the decision.
He lost three sets of stock yards and five sheds in the bushfires, and has estimated his damage bill at $1.3-millioon.
"We lost 150 head of cattle, 80 sheep, and about 25 kilometres of fencing," Mr Salway said.
Dairy farmers can access up to $200,000 and there are grants for horticulture, viticulture and aquaculture.
Mr Salway said livestock producers felt like they had been forgotten.
"It makes you feel like a third class citizen," he said.
"Some people have lost their entire herd, and there is no income for them whatsoever...and at today's prices you can't afford to buy them back."
Nationals Leader defends funding
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the Government would look at providing more help to those farmers in the future, but the latest round of help was going to many farmers really suffering.
"Cattle and sheep farmers can access money for repairing fences, and we will look at providing more money if they need it and maybe the Federal Government will kick in more funds," he said.
The Opposition's spokeswoman for Primary Industries, Jenny Aitchison described it as a perplexing decision.
"These sheep and cattle farmers were fighting on the front lines of the fires, side by side with the dairy farmers," she said.
"The minister needs to explain this decision ... especially when the New South Wales Farmers Association hasn't been consulted on the reasons for excluding one group and including another."
