Drought Point

Drought continues across NSW despite recent floods

The drought in NSW is far from over despite recent rainfall, with the latest official figures showing a one per cent increase in the area affected by drought to 81.8%.

“In total, more than 95 % of the State is either in drought or considered marginally in drought,” Minister for Primary Industries & Rural Affairs Steve Whan said today.

“While late December welcomed some of the best rain seen for many years across the central and northern areas of the State, it came too late to improve the January figures and has not yet been enough to turn around this devastating drought,” Minister Whan said.

“The recent rainfall events occur against a back-drop of decade-long rainfall deficits and record high temperatures that have severely stressed water supplies. This month’s official drought maps reveal that some of the areas that have flooded such as Coonamble and Walgett are considered in drought. And some parts of the State missed out on significant falls including the area east of Wilcannia, the south eastern coastal area and the south western areas of the Riverina. The total State water storage level as at 4 January is 26.6% of total storage capacity, down 2.7% on last month and 1.2% lower than the same time last year.”

Minister Whan said the late December rainfall has improved pasture conditions, soil moisture and summer crop plantings.

“Fortunately, the majority of the winter harvest - forecast at 6.59 million tonnes from 4.37 million hectares - was completed before the late December rains with little impact on grain quality. Summer crop plantings of 281,760 hectares that had been moisture stressed were also given a boost by the rain but it is unlikely that summer crop plantings will increase significantly,” he said.

Mr Whan also said controlling summer weeds would now be a major issue in most districts that received rain with an emphasis placed on maintaining clean fallow and conserving moisture profiles and nitrogen for 2010 winter crops.

“While on-farm irrigation storages received a considerable boost in the northern areas, the south western areas of the Riverina are still experiencing severe drought with water supplies at critical levels. Livestock condition is generally fair to poor across the State except for the north east where it is good. Farmers are supplementary feeding their livestock in many areas to maintain condition. During most of December, conditions were severe across much of the State, with bushfires affecting many regions and resulting in livestock deaths and loss of pastures. Late December rain was welcome but came too late to improve conditions significantly for the month. Pastures remain poor in many areas, with many farmers waiting to see how they respond to the rains. “

JANUARY 2010 AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS (see I&I NSW drought conditions map)

Area in Drought: 81.8% (up from 80.8%)
Area in Marginal: 13.8% (down from 14.8%)
Area in Satisfactory: 4.4% (same as last month)

Recent Association Activities

• The Association is continuing its extremely active role on drought issues, lobbying at both the State and Federal level.  With a slight worsening of climatic conditions across the state half way through Autumn, particularly in the lead-up to sowing, NSW Farmers Association is concerned that the scheduled expiry of EC declarations; proposed national drought policy review; proposed reduced budget for the National Agricultural Monitoring System (NAMS); and continuing short-term funding commitments for essential State Government drought initiatives; is exacerbating what is already an uncertain and stressful time for farm families and rural businesses.

  Click here for a copy of the Association’s latest drought briefing note. 

  Previous Association drought briefing notes, including information on the September 2007 drought program changes, are also available:

   August 2008
   July 2008
   June 2008
   May 2008
   April 2008

  The Association also conducts a fortnightly drought teleconference involving the Association’s Rural Affairs Committee and Drought Taskforce, as well as senior representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Rural Assistance Authority.  These teleconferences provide a regular opportunity for two-way information flow; ensuring farmers’ local and regional concerns are communicated and addressed in a timely fashion.

  NSW Farmers’ Association then President Jock Laurie unveiled a Drought Discussion Paper in October 2006 to highlight the issues that need to be addressed by both levels of Government in order to support agriculture through the worst drought on record.  The Drought Discussion Paper was finalised by the Association’s Presidential Drought Taskforce and outlines issues associated with social, financial and environmental aspects affecting farmers.  Whilst a number of the points highlighted in the paper were addressed through the September 2007 drought announcement by the then Prime Minister, the discussion paper still forms the basis of much of the Association’s current drought lobbying efforts. Click here for the Discussion Paper on Drought ...

• What Help is Available
  The Association has compiled a list of drought assistance measures and programs available to farming businesses and families in NSW. Click here for a copy of the assistance list.  The Association encourages all farm families and rural businesses to review the document and contact the relevant organisations to discuss your individual circumstances. Given the complexities of the assistance programs and their eligibility criteria, it is vitally important that you do not self-assess.

• Key Contacts
   NSW Drought Hotline – 1800 814 647
   NSW Rural Assistance Authority – 1800 678 593
   Federal Government Drought Assistance Hotline – 13 23 16
   Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line – 1800 050 015
   NSW Rural Mental Health Support Line – 1800 201 123