When the farm burns or the grass runs out, it's a battle to keep valuable livestock alive

When farmers' businesses are built on the strength of certain bloodlines, they'll go to extraordinary lengths to preserve their herdSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterJoin the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the communityThe short message went viral: "Kenmay burned yesterday, we need to sell cattle."The plea came from Dr Robert Scanlon of Parawanga Droughtmaster Stud. Scanlon and his wife, Karen, manage the stud on a 970-hectare property called Kenmay near Miriam Vale in central Queensland. It burned on 29 October in the Mount Tom fires.Sign up to receive Guardian Australia's fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter Continue reading...