00:01For the first time in two years, Boulogne, Gundawindi and the Southern Downs have been
00:07declared drought affected. So too have southern parts of the Maranoa. Now, persistent months
00:13of below average rainfall has stunted pasture growth in these regions, which is proving
00:19difficult for farmers trying to feed. At Mount Abundance near Roma, for example, they've
00:25had just 120 mils of rain over the past 12 months. Farmers in this part of the world tell
00:32us that managing cattle is becoming increasingly difficult and they'll have to look to supplementing
00:37feeds of breeding herds in just a few short weeks if pastures continue to dry at the rate
00:43in which they are. They say that this drought declaration is at least an acknowledgement
00:48of the kind of challenges they're up against. Those facing those challenges are eligible
00:53for financial support. There's a $50,000 emergency assistant loan available, as well as up to
01:00$250,000 to cover business costs to ensure these farms can keep the lights on. So that might
01:07be assistance with replanting crop or supplementing feeds. Of course, the only solution to drought
01:13is rain. So farmers in southern Queensland will be keeping their eye on the skies, hoping that
01:19when the rain does eventually fall, it's the soaking kind that can turn their pastures around.
Comments