Farmers Navigate Unprecedented Drought Amid Emergency Stashes and Calls for Support

In the scorched fields of Western Victoria, farmers are turning to emergency measures to survive an unprecedented drought. One such example is Michael Hastings, whose 350-hectare Winchelsea farm houses a secret weapon buried under a dry mound of dirt—an 18-year-old stockpile of emergency silage.

One year into the brutal drought, Hastings has decided it’s time to unearth this aging commodity. His hope is that it will sustain his herd through the lean times. The process is meticulous, involving a drill mounted on his tractor to puncture the airtight chamber, which lies about a meter below the surface.

Aших first sample from the silage chamber brings a sweet aroma into the air, indicating a positive sign. Livestock nutritionist Jess Revell is on-site to ensure the silage is of good quality and can support Hastings’ cattle.

“It has a good feel to it. It’s not too high in moisture. It looks fantastic,” Revell observes. Despite initial worries, the silage seems to have been preserved well, reminiscent of a sweet muesli. “If we had uncovered it and found out it wasn’t preserved perfectly, it could have changed the whole outcome of the business,” Hastings admits.

With the silage confirmed to be of good quality, Hastings plans to mix it with hay, straw, and grain to sustain his 300 cattle until June. However, he acknowledges the long road ahead and the need for much-needed rain to replenish his paddocks and pastures.

“We’ve got a long haul,” Hastings says. “We’ve probably got at least six months until we’re going to have good fodder reserves. When it does eventually rain and things don’t just grow instantly … we need to have good rains to soak in and get the pastures growing.”

Over 1,000 Farmers Seeking Assistance

The challenges faced by Hastings are not unique. Across Western Victoria, farmers are grappling with conditions not seen in almost two decades. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) data reveals that the Corangamite region experienced its fifth driest year since records began in 1900. This year trails only 1914, 1982, 2006, and the driest year in the Corangamite region—1967.

Since October last year, 1,086 farmers have accessed $5,000 grants from the Victorian state government through its South West Drought Support Package. These funds can be used for essential farm infrastructure like pipes, tanks, troughs, and grain storage. The Drought Support Package also includes a one-on-one advisory service offering expert advice to struggling farmers.

Farmers Seek Caps on Hay Prices, Council Rate Relief

Beyond financial aid, many farmers are calling for additional support measures. About 30 minutes west of Winchelsea, Beeac cattle farmer Matthew Howard is experiencing high hay prices. He pays around $115 per bale for round hay and wishes for a set price to reduce financial burden.

“Cheaper hay would be nice. Everyone’s in the same boat but it’d be nice to have a set price on hay,” Howard explains.

Other farmers are advocating for relief from council rates. Peter Allsopp from Mount Moriac reports losing money while feeding stock and calls for council rate reduction.

“We need a reduction in our costs for running the farm including our rates. The cost of running a farm has just got out of hand,” Allsopp says.

While the Victorian government encourages farmers to utilize state-provided programs and services, there is a push for additional incentives. Troy Edwards, the City of Greater Geelong’s executive director of corporate services, notes that the farm rate charged by the council is roughly half of the residential rate, reflecting their commitment to supporting agriculture.

“We urge farmers who are having difficulty to get in touch with us to discuss their situation and see what help is available from the City and elsewhere, including the south-west drought support package,” Edwards explains.

No Drought-Ending Rain Forecasted

Unfortunately, BOM senior meteorologist Zhi-Weng Chua does not foresee a respite in the form of significant rain.

“In order to ease rainfall deficiencies, we typically need a prolonged period of above-average rainfall and that doesn’t seem to be what the long-range forecasts are indicating,” Dr. Chua elaborates.

The BOM’s long-range forecast suggests warmer than average conditions with increased chances of higher daytime temperatures, particularly in southern Australia. The likelihood of Western Victoria receiving median rainfall is between 40 and 55 percent, indicating a consistent trend of decreasing rainfall in south-east Australia associated with an increase in high-pressure systems.

Given the prolonged drought and limited prospects for immediate rainfall relief, rural financial counsellors like George Leishman are increasingly busy.

“There’ll have to be some hard decisions made,” Leishman says. “We often negotiate creditor or bank extensions to help farmers manage their financial struggles during these tough times.”

Back at Winchelsea, Hastings estimates he has about 1,300 cubic meters of silage in his pit, a reserve which, when mixed with hay, straw, and grain, could potentially sustain his 300 cattle until June. His hope is that by then, Western Victoria will have seen substantial rainfall to regenerate pastures.

Looking Ahead

The ongoing drought poses significant challenges for farmers in Western Victoria. Though emergency measures like Hastings’ silage stash provide temporary relief, the need for sustainable solutions remains pressing. As temperatures continue to rise and the forecast refuses to yield substantial rainfall, farmers are left with tough decisions and calls for further support.

Support from the Victorian government, including access to financial grants and advisory services, has been invaluable. However, the drought’s impact continues to be felt, with calls for caps on hay prices and council rate relief reflecting the broader need for comprehensive assistance.

The future of farming in Western Victoria hinges on whether emergency measures like silage reserves, along with government support, will prove sufficient in the face of prolonged drought conditions.

In the coming months, the resilience and adaptability of farmers like Hastings will be crucial. As they navigate these challenging times, the collective effort towards sustainable practices and ongoing assistance from various support services will play a pivotal role in their survival.

Stay tuned for more updates on the impact of the drought and the ongoing efforts of farmers to sustain their livelihoods.

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