Drought in 2018

Australian TV Show host, Grant Denyer, has been in the media recently, bringing attention to drought stricken farms and the consequences they face. Denyer reports that farmers are spending upwards to $10,000 per week to preserve livestock. If the drought is to continue, farmers could be set to lose up to $100,000 in a calendar year! What can you do to minimalise loss and protect your livestock?

 

Do you have a hay shed?

 

You’re probably thinking… ‘How is building a hay shed going to save me money?’, hear us out. Where do you keep your food? Stored in cool, dry places! Where do you store produce for your livestock? If livestock are a priority for your farm, so should their food.

 

Let’s step back for a minute, $10,000 per week, spent on food sources… $10,000! Farmers are losing more per year than what working class Australia earns per annum. So how can you protect your livelihood by building a hay shed? With efficient food storage, waste is minimalised, saving money in the process as well as opening up potential revenue streams, having the ability to provide hay to other drought suffering farmers.

 

Short Memories and fewer preventative measures.

 

From 1996 through to 2010, Australia saw the worst drought conditions recorded since European settlement, with 2006 – 2008 being the driest for many parts of the country.

 

Australia is a traditionally dry country, especially in regional areas that are fundamentally, farming communities. Drought isn’t anything new. 19^th Century Australia saw widespan drought from 1808 onwards. The 20^th Century saw serious drought approximately, every 20 years, including the aforementioned ‘Millennium Drought’. We have seen this before, we have survived. We can and will again.

 

Start taking measures today! Stay a step ahead. Be proactive, not reactive and seek support when needed, speak up and help others understand your situation. With awareness, comes understanding.

 

 

For the last 10 years, how have you worked to prevent the same conditions from affecting your farm and livelihood? How did you survive the millennium drought? Have you received any financial support from organisations such as Rural Aid or others? And how did it sustain the life of your farm? Please let us know in the comments if you have any helpful tips for other farmers.

 

The post Drought in 2018 appeared first on ABC Sheds.