Territory Government Announces Drought Support
AUSTRALIA – Drought support, worth A$7.6 million, has been welcomed by New South Wales Farmers President Fiona Simpson, after 18 months of 'extremely dry' conditions.
28 November 2013
1 minute read
Transport assistance is one key support offered largely at farmers in the north west of the territory following the response of the New South Wales government in reaction to sustained lobbying from the producer group.
The settlements of Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke have been worst hit, losing hundreds of million dollars due to the drought, said Mrs Simpson.
She added that, despite the best intentions, ‘it is impossible to completely drought-proof a property’.
For this reason, crop and cattle farmers have both been hugely effected as fields have gone dry and stock have had to be sent elsewhere.
“Farmers in the north west have been preparing and managing drought for more than 18 months with some spending more than $150,000 to manage the drought,” said Mrs Simpson. “Crops were not planted because there was not enough soil moisture and most livestock farmers have destocked by selling or sending stock away on agistment and have fed remaining stock from stored fodder reserves or buying feed in.”
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