The South-West Drought Hub provides links and access to the below dry season resources for growers, grower groups, and the broader agricultural community. This information will aid in their decision making to help manage those that are experiencing a dry season.
The Drought Hub has pulled these valuable resources together into one location for the livestock, grains and horticulture industries. These resources will be continuously updated on an as needed basis.
General information
Looking for help?
If you or your community are experiencing drought and looking for help, the best place to start is the WA Government’s online Drought Hub website: Drought Response WA.
If you’re a farmer facing drought, you may be eligible for more Australian Government support than you realise. Find out more at drought.gov.au.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) provides seasonally relevant information and management options in the broadacre and south-west agricultural areas of Western Australia.
Visit the webpage for the latest information and advice on livestock management, animal welfare, crops, soil, water, and climate outlook.
The NSW Managing Drought Guide has been prepared to give primary producers relevant information to help them make informed decisions on how to effectively manage the impacts of the current drought, as well as future extended dry spells.
The challenge of managing drought has been something generations of farmers have had to face, and the impacts of drought reach well beyond the farm gate.
This guide reflects the unique pressures placed on producers before, during and after drought and includes strategies and actions that farmers can consider as they deal with its effects on their businesses.
It also includes information on relevant resources from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services, practical information on feeding livestock, farm management and sustainable practices, as well as personal and financial wellbeing.
Access the publication here.
Financial support
The Australian Government offers a range of options to support WA farmers to prepare for, respond to, and recover from drought:
- Drought Loans – for eligible farm businesses are available from the Australian Government farm business lender, RIC (Regional Investment Corporation). RIC provides low-interest Drought Loans for farm businesses to help them prepare for, manage through and recover from drought. Farm business loans of up to $2 million are available. Farm businesses are encouraged to learn more about eligibility and lending criteria before applying.
- AgBiz Drought Loans – for eligible small businesses directly linked to the farming sector are available from the Australian Government farm business lender, RIC (Regional Investment Corporation). Low interest loans of up to $500,000 may help eligible farm-related businesses in drought affected areas manage their business during a drought. Eligibility and lending criteria apply to all RIC loans.
- The Australian Government’s Farm Management Deposits (FMD) Scheme is a risk management and drought preparedness measure which allows eligible primary producers to set aside pre-tax income which can be drawn upon when required. Income deposited into an FMD is tax deductible in the financial year the deposit is made. It becomes taxable income in the financial year in which it is withdrawn. FMDs are held by authorised deposit taking institutions and attract market rates of interest. Primary producers can access previously lodged FMDs to supplement business cash flow. This may include accessing deposits held for less than 12 months, for eligible drought affected properties (without penalty).
- The Farm Household Allowance Program, which provides farming families experiencing significant financial hardship with access to the Centrelink income support system, contingent on the farm business committing to improved planning and training for long-term financial sustainability.
WA Government funding support may be available. Check the Drought Response WA web page for more information.
Mental health
Farmers across Australia face a unique set of stressors. From unpredictable weather patterns and fluctuating market prices to demanding workloads, too much debt and social isolation, the pressures can be immense. Left unmanaged, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, mental health issues, and even physical health problems.
Over the last few years State and Federal governments are beginning to take the issue seriously and there are now some great proactive mental health resources, tools, advice and forums so primary producers can navigate mental health challenges more effectively.
Farm Table has collated some of the best Mental Health resources for Australian Farmers, Rural workers and their family and friends. Explore resources.
If you’re going through a hard time right now please call one of the following organisations.
- Lifeline (13 11 14)
- Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)
- RuralLink (WA based) (1800 552 002)
Climate outlook
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website provides up-to-date weather forecasts, climate outlooks, and rainfall data across Australia, helping farmers make informed decisions for their operations. It offers detailed local forecasts, radar and satellite imagery, and tools such as the Seasonal Climate Outlooks and Water Data Online, which support planning around sowing, irrigation, livestock management, and harvest timing. By monitoring conditions like temperature, soil moisture, and rainfall trends, farmers can use the BOM website to better prepare for changing weather patterns, manage drought risk, and build long-term climate resilience.
The Climate Services for Agriculture (CSA) program has a new name and website for its farmer-focused climate information tool.
My Climate View is a free online climate information tool helping farmers understand what the future climate might mean for their location, down to a 5km2 resolution, to inform decision-making and build climate resilience.
It presents agriculturally relevant historical and future climate information in one place so farmers can explore climate trends for specific commodities at a local scale.
Along with the new name and website, other updates to the My Climate View tool include the addition of climate information for avocados, cherries and chickpeas, significant improvements to how users can access and view their local and commodity-specific climate information, and insight into how climate information is calculated.
Use it here: www.myclimateview.com.au
CSA is a collaboration between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology and part of the Future Drought Fund’s investment in better climate information for Australia’s agriculture sector.
CliMate is a decision-support web application (also available on iOS) developed for Australian users.
It provides eight different analytical modules that draw on long-term climate data (rainfall, temperature, solar radiation) and derived agronomic variables (heat sum, soil water, nitrate accumulation, drought status, yield potential).
It is aimed at people who manage agricultural or land systems and need to understand system status and the probabilities of weather‐events, to help manage risk.
The Climate Science Initiative will produce the most detailed and comprehensive Western Australian climate change projections to date, extending to the year 2100.
Translating this science into local insights will be critical to helping Western Australians to understand and use this information in decision making. Communities, businesses, and all levels of government will then be better placed to respond to the impacts of climate change.
Soil
Free access to high quality soil information for best practice management
The Soil Quality Knowledge Base has been developed for farmers, agricultural industry professionals, policymakers, students and the community to provide free access to high quality, evidence-based information on current soil knowledge and soil management.
Explore information and insights on soil properties, processes and testing across a range of industries and regions – with a focus on Western Australian and Australian agriculture.
The Soil Quality eBook series is a resource for farmers, agricultural professionals and students. Experts from their fields share current knowledge and best practice techniques in layers of information, allowing readers to choose the level of detail they require.
The eBooks are designed to be interactive and go beyond the limitations of a traditional text and image book by including:
- Videos
- Animations
- Clickable graphics
- Case Studies
- ‘Learn more’ pop-ups
- Diagnostic tools and calculators
- Interactive maps
- Glossary with internal links
Livestock
On the MLA website, you can find a range of guides and information collated by MLA to assist livestock producers as they head into, manage through and plan to recover from drought.
Access MLA’s recently collated tools and resources for building business resilience during dry times.
Visit the MLA Drought management webpage.
MLA has further resources to help producers prepare for and mitigate the impact of dry conditions on their Dry ready hub webpage.
Dairy Australia has compiled a range of information and resources to prepare for and manage the impacts of dry conditions and droughts on dairy farms.
Annual pasture production is often severely affected by low rainfall ‘dry seasons’. There are good economic and risk management reasons to retain sheep in a farming enterprise, and this requires early planning and timely management in a dry season.
Over the years, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has worked with a number of industry consultants to provide valuable information to producers.
While some of the information provided by DPIRD is specific to certain seasons and market prices, many of the management tips are relevant in every season.
Producers should use these key points and information in conjunction with business advisors and other support resources to formulate a plan specific to their own enterprise and financial situation.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) offers information to help cattle producers and small landholders in the south-west of Western Australia manage stock condition, feed and water requirements in a dry season.
To support cattle producers and small landholders in the south-west of Western Australia being affected by a dry season, it is vital that planning and management decisions are made to ensure the welfare of stock. Creating a plan of ‘what if’ scenarios can assist in building business resilience and reduce the mental load.
Photo: Debbie Dowden
Seven case studies showcase the inspiring innovations of WA pastoralists who have participated in the Southern Rangelands Revitalisation Program, led by DPIRD and funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the WA State Government’s Climate Resilience Fund.
The case studies show how pastoralists can tackle challenges to build prosperous, drought resilient and sustainable stations.
- Darren & Kim Cousens at Hillview Station – Repairing eroded landscapes and revitalising vegetation with low-disturbance infrastructure. Learn more
- Harry & Alys McKeough at Carey Downs Station – Revitalising scalded floodplains with ‘rangelands self-herding’ and earthworks. Learn more
- Ashley & Debbie Dowden at Challa Station – Innovation and technology enhancing environmental stewardship. Learn more
- The Baston Family at Jimba Jimba Station – Demonstrating regeneration at scale with people and livestock. Learn more
- Ken Darnell & Jo Clews at Melangata Station – Holistic grazing to revitalise the landscape and lift productivity. Learn more
- Calum & Belinda Carruth at Murchison House Station – Managing rangeland goats to improve landscape condition. Learn more
- David & Frances Pollock at Wooleen Station – Revitalising perennial vegetation and building water points for sustainable grazing. Learn more
Broadacre cropping
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) “Challenging drought conditions” page provides easy access to useful information on agronomy in dry times and tips for planning and being prepared when it does rain.
There are also resources for farm business, including tips for retaining staff in dry times and debt management strategies, including advice on how to prepare for difficult conversations with your bank manager.
Watch the videos from the GRDC Dealing with the Dry forum series. These forums were initiated to bring practical, relevant information to growers in drought-affected regions of New South Wales and Queensland.
Changing weather patterns can mean growers are increasingly attempting to plant into less-than-favourable conditions. The “Maximising crop potential in a drying environment” booklet offers information on how and what growers can do to make the most of varying moisture levels in a drying environment.
Peruse Kondinin Group’s extensive library of featured drought reports and other related articles here.
Horticulture
Hort Innovation has developed a portal to support growers and the broader horticultural industry through the forecast dry times by providing a suite of resources and information to inform decision making.
