Liberals to host drought roundtable at Parliament, as SA farmer resilience tested

TRENT WALKER, CULBURRA

Upper SE and Mallee Angus stud breeder Trent Walker is prepared for dry years, keeping 12 to 18 months worth of fodder on hand.

But he says it is hard to be prepared for the lowest rainfall period in 18 months - and what may still be to come.

Just 12 millimetres of rainfall has fallen at Culburra for 2025 and 77mm in the six months before that.

The drought has put a temporary halt to Trent and his partner Rob Swinton's expansion of their Keringa Angus stud, but with daily supplementary feeding they have managed to retain their 600 Angus females run at their Culburra and Lameroo properties.

Many of these stud females are bred from some of the highest-performing genetics in the breed so too valuable to sell off.

'"We know about dry years but because we had a failed spring in 2023 and such a late break in 2024 we didn't get the chance to grow anything- we couldn't get any bulk so we cut no hay last year," Trent said.

"Because we have had two bad years in a row we are buying in feed again.

"I don't think this year will be a good year either so there will be a lot of people in a world of pain probably including us.

"If we can't cut fodder this year I don't know we can afford a third year of having to buy feed to feed stock."

Mr Walker says the government seems to have barely noticed SA is in drought and says it is time for them to do more.

He says the $18 million initial package, of which $8.1m was new, was not targeted. Instead of subsidising freight on donated hay, he would like to see freight subsidies on all fodder bought.

"I know they have said they don't want to be propping up farmers that are not viable in the main, but my thinking is if people can afford to buy hay a little bit of help to get it to their farms will see them stay in business longer," he said.

Mr Walker would also like to see more training and agronomic support now and in the recovery phase.

"I think we deal with drought a lot better now than we did in the past - with containment feeding stock and trying to look after the country - but we are going to have to spend a lot and sow a lot more country because it is barer than it should be."

- CATHERINE MILLER

TIM PASCHKE, WAIKERIE

Riverland farmer Tim Paschke says last season was in the bottom two percentile for growing season rainfall.

"Historically, this drought is one of the worst on record," he said.

"I really hope I don't see it any worse."

While growing season rainfall was extremely low, about 50 millimetres fell in November, coming too late for crops and creating more work on-farm.

"The biggest problem is this is not just the first year, it's a culmination of 2023 and 2024 for us," he said.

"Five out of the past seven years have been below average for rainfall.

"If we didn't get the good 2020 and 2022 seasons, we've be gone (out of farming).

"The tough years have shown us how resilient we are, but at the same time, we can't do it forever."

Mr Paschke said one of his biggest concerns at the moment was hay reserves. While he usually tries to carry at least a year's worth of reserves, the dry times have seen supplies dwindle.

But he's thankful he was able to reap enough seed to put in this year's crop.

In terms of support, Mr Paschke would love to see assistance with day-to-day costs like groceries, to help ensure funds are going back into the community, which is also feeling the effects of the drought.

He would also like to see government assistance procedures sped up, after applying for an infrastructure grant 10 weeks ago and still not hearing back on the result.

- PAULA THOMPSON

RICHARD GERMEIN, MINLATON

Richard Germein and family are sheep producers at Minlaton on the Yorke Peninsula, buying in 4.5-year-old ewes to mate to White Suffolks and Charollais for crossbred lamb production.

Richard has been farming there for nearly six decades and has never seen things so tough in the usually reliable area.

They received roughly 210 millimetres of rain in 2024, when their average is 450mm.

"My father always spoke of 1959 as the drought of all droughts, well this year was worse," Mr Germein said.

"We had less rain and I've never seen anything like it.

"Our paddocks are dust and there's not a blade of green to be seen anywhere.

"Our ewes are due to lamb in the next one or two weeks and they'd normally lamb down on green feed - that's certainly not going to happen this year."

The Germeins have been able to source frosted wheaten hay from a neighbour - 60-80 bales - which has been a saviour as they try to get through without cutting stock numbers right back.

"We got rid of cast-for-age ewes and have been getting our lambs to 42-43 kilograms liveweight then sending them off to a feedlot, so that saved our own resources a bit," Mr Germein said.

"We don't make quite as much money but it's still alright."

The family have another consignment of hay on the way, and are using lupins from their cropping program.

Mr Germein was of the opinion that the best government support could come through a freight subsidy, meaning a wide array of farmers could benefit, and less likelihood for anyone to rort the system.

- QUINTON McCALLUM

PREMIER SAYS SUPPORT IMMINENT

After a meeting with farming lobby groups and several farmers in Adelaide yesterday, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas signalled that more drought assistance would be announced, in detail, "in coming days".

"I was pleased to host farmers from across our state at a roundtable this afternoon," Mr Malinauskas said yesterday.

"Their feedback, insights and advice is invaluable as Cabinet seeks to calibrate the next phase of our Drought Support Package.

"I look forward to announcing that support in detail in coming days."

SA LIBERALS TO HOLD DROUGHT ROUNDTABLE OF THEIR OWN

In the wake of the state government's drought roundtable with industry leaders and farmers, the SA Liberals will hold their own at Parliament House tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Invited members of industry organisations will attend, along with opposition leader Vincent Tarzia and opposition spokesperson for Primary Industries Nicola Centofanti.

SUBMIT YOUR DIARY ENTRY

In an effort to have the voices of our valued readers heard by decision makers first hand, Stock Journal is launching the 'Stock Journal Drought Diaries' campaign.

We are welcoming your accounts, in your words, of the current drought, its historical context, its impact on your business, family and community, and why you think the state government should be providing more support.

Through our channels, these first hand accounts will be sent to the Primary Industries Minister and Premier each day until more support is provided, or there is a widespread seasonal break.

We hope the weight of voices of the farming community will lead to more support, and the acknowledgment of how important primary production is to our state's economy and very fabric.

To contribute, email your account and a photo to q.mccallum@stockjournal.com.au, call 0409 073 711, (08) 8394 5001 or any of our journalists, or post a letter to 200 Greenhill Road, Eastwood SA, 5063.