South Australian farmers are calling for more federal support as the drought limits crucial hay supplies. The state is facing its worst drought on record, with the prime farming region seeing its lowest ever rainfall over a 15-month period.
00:00Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins is set to visit South Australia today to announce $36 million to support drought-stricken Aussie farmers.
00:13This is part of the Future Drought Fund Communities Program which has now been extended for another four years to help farmers and producers prepare and build their resilience amid these ongoing dry conditions that we're currently experiencing.
00:30It has been the driest start to the year since 2006 and many farmers saying it's become near impossible to secure hay to feed their livestock.
00:41They say that even when a supply is secured that comes with a hefty price tag.
00:47Some farmers spending up to $40,000 per week to find hay to keep their farms running.
00:54The Chair of South Australian Dairy Farmers says that this could spell some really dire consequences across the state with many farms facing the prospect of not being able to continue financially.
01:06Take a listen.
01:07If the drought doesn't break, some of those farmers are going to find it almost impossible to keep going by the end of this year.
01:14That's a desperate situation not only for them, but it's a desperate situation for all South Australians because food security and the jobs that are around farmers and growing food are huge for South Australia.
01:30Farmers say this is not a short-term issue.
01:33They say for the moment they have been able to secure fodder supplies interstate from New South Wales and Queensland,
01:39but they have serious concerns as to what the next few years would look like if these drought conditions continue.
