Southern NSW farmers call for financial relief as ongoing drought takes a toll
After more than 50 millimetres of rain since the end of May at Yvette McKenzie's farm near Bethungra, about 65 kilometres north-east of Wagga Wagga, she calls the situation the "green drought" — the landscape looks good from a distance but grass hasn't grown enough to sustain livestock.
Yvette McKenzie's dam in May 2025. / And after recent rain.
That means Ms McKenzie and other farmers across the state's south are handfeeding livestock.
"It doesn't rain feed," she said.
"We are still on full grain ration for the sheep, as well as silage and hay, to keep up with the fibre
"It is hard on you mentally, physically and emotionally."
Ms McKenzie expects to be handfeeding for another two months.
Yvette McKenzie says she'll be handfeeding her livestock for months. ( ABC News: Cara Jeffery )
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 40-100 millimetres of rain has fallen in the Riverina since the start of May, but most of the region is still classified as "in drought" or "drought affected" on the NSW Department of Primary Industries drought indicator map.
Hay prices 'through the roof'
Holbrook producer Bruce Allworth is in a similar predicament, spending six hours, three times a week, feeding his sheep and cattle.
He has used all the hay stockpiled in previous seasons and has bought 600 tonnes of grain since January.
"There has been a real shortage [of hay] and we've moved over to grain, simply because the price of hay was going through the roof," Dr Allworth said.
"You can't get away from the fact that it's a lot of money that you're spending, the animals aren't doing as well as you'd like them to do … and so it weighs on you."
Feeding livestock has become a daily routine for drought-affected farmers. ( ABC News: Emily Doak )
Beef producer and contract haymaker Richard Harbison worries about the mental toll the drought is taking on producers.
"The last 12 months have been pretty stressful," he said.
"I just hope that people can talk to them and just make sure that they are travelling alright."
Martin Preuss says workshops have been well-attended by farmers. ( ABC News: Emily Doak )
Local Land Services senior drought adoption officer Martin Preuss said workshops had been providing advice and much-needed social interaction for affected farmers.
"It's looking at what options they've got to try and reduce costs, maintain productivity and have a sustainable process to get through until the drought breaks," he said.
Calls for assistance
Farmers, along with the Yass Valley, Snowy Valleys and Greater Hume councils, are calling for more drought relief for producers, similar to that provided for floods or bushfires.
"This has certainly been an exceptional drought, one that we couldn't plan our way through," Dr Allworth said.
"It's a little bit frustrating when we've been in the same conditions as the Victorian and South Australian producers and they've been getting support."
Bruce Allworth is spending hours each day feeding grain to his cattle and sheep. ( ABC News: Emily Doak )
The South Australian government is providing freight subsidies for charities donating hay, plus grants to upgrade farm infrastructure, including water, grain or fodder storage.
There are similar infrastructure grants in Victoria, along with rate relief and household support payments.
In a statement, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said flexible, low-interest loans of up to $250,000 were available to help farmers strengthen drought preparedness.
"The government is continually monitoring the situation in southern NSW to ensure the needed assistance is being offered," she said.
Ms Moriarty said $149 million in loans had been provided through the drought infrastructure fund and "drought-ready and resilient" fund.
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ABC News
14 hours ago
- ABC News
Southern NSW farmers call for financial relief as ongoing drought takes a toll
Recent rain in southern New South Wales has put water in dams and turned dusty paddocks green, but farmers say the drought drags on, with some calling for financial assistance. After more than 50 millimetres of rain since the end of May at Yvette McKenzie's farm near Bethungra, about 65 kilometres north-east of Wagga Wagga, she calls the situation the "green drought" — the landscape looks good from a distance but grass hasn't grown enough to sustain livestock. Yvette McKenzie's dam in May 2025. / And after recent rain. That means Ms McKenzie and other farmers across the state's south are handfeeding livestock. "It doesn't rain feed," she said. "We are still on full grain ration for the sheep, as well as silage and hay, to keep up with the fibre "It is hard on you mentally, physically and emotionally." Ms McKenzie expects to be handfeeding for another two months. Yvette McKenzie says she'll be handfeeding her livestock for months. ( ABC News: Cara Jeffery ) According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 40-100 millimetres of rain has fallen in the Riverina since the start of May, but most of the region is still classified as "in drought" or "drought affected" on the NSW Department of Primary Industries drought indicator map. Hay prices 'through the roof' Holbrook producer Bruce Allworth is in a similar predicament, spending six hours, three times a week, feeding his sheep and cattle. He has used all the hay stockpiled in previous seasons and has bought 600 tonnes of grain since January. "There has been a real shortage [of hay] and we've moved over to grain, simply because the price of hay was going through the roof," Dr Allworth said. "You can't get away from the fact that it's a lot of money that you're spending, the animals aren't doing as well as you'd like them to do … and so it weighs on you." Feeding livestock has become a daily routine for drought-affected farmers. ( ABC News: Emily Doak ) Beef producer and contract haymaker Richard Harbison worries about the mental toll the drought is taking on producers. "The last 12 months have been pretty stressful," he said. "I just hope that people can talk to them and just make sure that they are travelling alright." Martin Preuss says workshops have been well-attended by farmers. ( ABC News: Emily Doak ) Local Land Services senior drought adoption officer Martin Preuss said workshops had been providing advice and much-needed social interaction for affected farmers. "It's looking at what options they've got to try and reduce costs, maintain productivity and have a sustainable process to get through until the drought breaks," he said. Calls for assistance Farmers, along with the Yass Valley, Snowy Valleys and Greater Hume councils, are calling for more drought relief for producers, similar to that provided for floods or bushfires. "This has certainly been an exceptional drought, one that we couldn't plan our way through," Dr Allworth said. "It's a little bit frustrating when we've been in the same conditions as the Victorian and South Australian producers and they've been getting support." Bruce Allworth is spending hours each day feeding grain to his cattle and sheep. ( ABC News: Emily Doak ) The South Australian government is providing freight subsidies for charities donating hay, plus grants to upgrade farm infrastructure, including water, grain or fodder storage. There are similar infrastructure grants in Victoria, along with rate relief and household support payments. In a statement, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said flexible, low-interest loans of up to $250,000 were available to help farmers strengthen drought preparedness. "The government is continually monitoring the situation in southern NSW to ensure the needed assistance is being offered," she said. Ms Moriarty said $149 million in loans had been provided through the drought infrastructure fund and "drought-ready and resilient" fund.
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