Queensland farmers welcome drought relief

UP to 11,000 sheep were believed to be trucked out of the Longreach district last week, all destined for the slaughter house.

PRIMARY producers have welcomed a federal drought package but the dry weather continues to push Queensland farmers toward crisis point as wool growers sell off stock and wheat growers abandon any prospect of a winter crop.

Up to 11,000 sheep were believed to be trucked out of the Longreach district last week, all destined for the slaughter house.

Victoria Downs Station, north of Morven, in Western Queensland, is experiencing severe drought. Picture: Lachie Millard

Hundreds of western Queensland wool growers have been anticipating a massive financial windfall on the back of wool prices which have more than doubled in the past decade, partially thanks to escalating demand out of China.

But graziers, especially around the Longreach district, can no longer wait for rain to produce fleece, and are selling off their valuable merinos for meat.

Primary Industry sources in western Queensland say the trend has developed over recent months as graziers face hard, practical decisions in the face of a drought which the Longreach district cannot seem to shake.

“There have quite definitely been around 11,000 sheep trucked out of Longreach in the past week alone, all headed for the slaughter house,’’ a grazier said.

“You will find people are now getting pretty good prices for sheep meat so it is simply the most practical way of dealing with the issue.’’

The sell-off will dampen wide-spread expectations of another wool boom as herds deplete and graziers fail to meet global market demand expected to escalate in the decade ahead.

In Queensland’s southeast the window has snapped shut on the possibility of a winter crop for hundreds of grain growers who won’t plant with no moisture in the ground.

AgForce Grains President Wayne Newton who farms west of Dalby said wheat growers had faced too many dry summers and won’t plant despite good wheat prices.

“A lot of people have written off the winter crop entirely,’’ Mr Newton said.

Queensland Drought Declarations Map

Winter crops in the southeast can be planted through April all the way to June or even later in areas around Warwick, and often don’t require much rain if there is reasonable moisture in the ground.

“Now a lot of growers are finding there is no money in the bank, no moisture in the ground, and it’s just not worth planting.’’

Further west past St George AgForce Southern Inland Regional President Robyn Bryant says cattle producers are grateful for the hardy mulga scrub which can be used as feed for battling graziers.

“Many are in pretty severe drought but that mulga is extremely helpful in keeping herds going,’’ she said.

The Turnbull Government is expected to make more announcement regarding the drought in the weeks ahead after increasing Canberra’s drought spend to around $576 million with the weekend announcement.

The new money, much of it administered under the Farm Household Allowance, (FHA) scheme, allows farmers to access money paid directly into bank accounts worth around $16,000 a year.

The weekend’s announcement ensures extra lump sum payments of up to $12,000 can now be provided to qualifying couples and $7,200 lump sums to singles.

Sheep drafting at Victoria Downs Station. Picture: Lachie Millard

AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said more than half of Queensland was still drought declared.

The prolonged nature of the drought in the state was taking an enormous financial, emotional and environmental toll on many regional communities,’’ Mr Maudsley said.

“Parts of western and southern Queensland have been in drought for more than six years, which has overwhelmed even the best efforts of producers to prepare.

“These emergency cash payments will help those farmers who have had little or no income, while the changes to the asset cap will ensure more farmers are eligible for assistance.

“AgForce has been advocating for many years for the asset threshold to be lifted so this announcement today will make a big difference to many drought-affected farming families.’’