Always be drought ready Drought preparedness is not a new theme for Australian farmers. Our farming families have readied themselves for dry times for generations, but drought resilience plans can go awry in extreme conditions like 2019 or when a crash in livestock prices coincides with the need to buy in feed.
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Words MICHAEL BURT Photography STEVE GONSALVES
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aren and Peter Weller’s drought readiness plan went askew in late November last year, but it was for a good reason. More than 90mm of rain fell on their 465-hectare farm at Winton near Tamworth in a week, providing a flush of green feed for their stud and commercial herds of Hereford cattle. Grass reserves had been scarce as the Tamworth region slipped back into drought after almost three years of favourable seasons. Many fellow farmers in northwest, Central Tablelands, Hunter and large chunks of the coast faced a similar fate heading into the summer months before Huey paid a welcome visit in late spring. The Wellers had planned ahead with fodder in their new hay shed and improved livestock water security through the installation of a bore, which were both lacking in the 2019 drought. Taking up nearby leasing opportunities was also part of the drought resilience measures, which has proved valuable in avoiding the need to sell off in a dour cattle market. “The huge downturn in livestock prices has been the biggest challenge with the dry times this year,” Karen says. “That’s been the key difference in terms of planning compared to the 2019 drought when prices were high.” >
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THE FARMER
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024
WEATHERING THE STORM
Farmers have welcomed the state government’s new $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund (DRRF) that is designed to assist farmers prepare and respond to drought conditions.
