Drought Point

Drought figures show promise for winter season, but half the State sits on the brink - May 2010

The latest drought figures reveal 9.4% of NSW is in drought, a slight increase from last month’s nine year low of 7.3%, Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan announced today.

The Minister said while the upcoming winter season looks promising for the State’s farmers, more rain is needed with almost half the State or 49.7% classified as marginal, while 40.9% of NSW is satisfactory.

“NSW has certainly experienced a good Autumn which is reflected in these low drought figures, it has been great for pastures, winter crops and there’s a genuine feeling of optimism in rural towns and communities,” Minister Whan said.

“Rainfall over the last month has been good with the majority of the State receiving average falls of up to 50 millimetres, while the central western slopes and plains extending west to Broken Hill received above average rainfall. But as famers have experienced in the past, mother nature can be highly unpredictable, so things can easily turn in the opposite direction. We have eight years of deficient rainfall, so water storages remain low. Some bores are still dry, while stock water is needed in some southern areas and farmers are not getting enough excess rain for future storage supplies,” he said.

The total storage level is 30.8% of total storage capacity, which is up 2% on last month and 9.6% higher than the same time last year.

“In the south west of the State, around 30% of the winter crop has been sown around Hillston, Griffith, West Wyalong and Temora thanks to good rain – however, it’s unfortunate that locusts have caused significant damage in these areas, especially to canola and mustard crops. I would like to encourage landholders to continue their good work in looking out for locusts and treating them on their properties before they mature and cause further havoc,” Minister Whan said.

Areas which moved into drought this month include Griffith, Urana, Jerilderie, Barraba, Scone and Murrurundi.

The areas which have moved out of drought were in the State’s Riverina and include Henty and The Rock.

CROPPING UPDATE
• The total winter crop is expected to be 4.9 million hectares.
• Early season planting conditions are described as some of the best in 20 years with good
soil moisture and ideal temperatures.
• Canola, faba beans, lupins and grazing cereals have been planted in most districts.
• Large areas of chickpea will be planted in the north, due to low cereal prices.
• Most of the cotton picking has been completed in areas near Warren and Walgett
• The sorghum harvest is in full swing on the Liverpool Plains and late sunflowers in this area
have good yield prospects.

MAY 2010 AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS (see I&I NSW drought conditions map)
Area in Drought: 9.4% (up from 7.3%)
Area in Marginal: 49.7% (down from 51.2%)
Area in Satisfactory: 40.9% (down from 41.5%)

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