Farmers in southern Australia are enduring a deepening drought, prompting drastic measures, including selling off livestock and abandoning crops. Farmer Paul Manwaring describes how a lack of rain has left his region desolate despite occasional showers. The NSW drought indicator reveals widespread drought conditions, while other regions face major flooding. Prolonged dry spells have pushed farmers to alter planting strategies and make tough economic decisions that will impact their livelihoods for years. The rainfall experienced comes too late to aid crops or livestock feed growth, intensifying the crisis.
The region is in the grips of disaster, according to the NSW drought indicator, part of a large area lit up in orange on the map. Surrounding regions are also drying out, expected to slip into drought by mid-winter.
Even when it does rain, it's going to take a while to grow feed for all the livestock, Manwaring says. Much of southern Australia is in drought at the same time as the NSW Hunter and mid-north coast regions face a major flood emergency.
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