‘Water is gold’ but there’s not enough to go around for SA farmers cracking under drought pressures

An Eyre Peninsula farmer facing mounting pressure shares crucial advice on how the government can assist with the drought “before it’s too late”.

• Snubbed farms fume
• Fears all farmers have

A good “sense of humour” has helped Buckleboo farmer Peter Woolford see the light in the dark of the drought, but the pressure is building up and everyone’s relying on more “liquid gold”.

Farming grain and sheep on his 6000 hectare Eyre Peninsula property, Mr Woolford, 61, said he was lucky to have broken even after a “well below average” season in 2024, but it cost him half his sheep stock.

“We were worried about what the conditions would be like,” he said.

Farmer Peter Woolford at Buckleboo near Kimba, Eyre Peninsula. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“We ended up reducing our numbers by 50 per cent since August, and we would’ve had about 1800 sheep before then.”

Mr Woolford said his area in the northern parts of the Eyre Peninsula was fortunate there was sub soil moisture that helped a bit with last year’s season, but with a “serious lack of rain” in 2024, this year wasn’t looking as lucky.

The Advertiser and Sunday Mail have tracked down farmers named Peter around the state for a campaign to raise awareness of one of the harshest droughts in SA’s history. It’s the attention of the Peter who runs the state – Premier Peter Malinauskas – they want the most.

The For Pete’s Sake campaign is calling on the government to substantially increase the $18m drought support package announced in November, among other measures including relief from the emergency services levy and vehicle registration fees.

Mr Woolford said one thing the government needed to do was look into improving water infrastructure before “we’re all in trouble”.

“We live in the driest state in the country, in the world really, and water is gold, there’s no question about it,” he said.

“There needs to be a way the government can help people conserve water without losing it — better piping, dams, storage facilities, water harvesting — because we’re all under pressure and everyone’s relying on a pipe.

Farmer Peter Woolford said one thingthe government needed to do was look into improving water infrastructure before “we’re all in trouble”. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“When that hits the wall, then we’re all in trouble.

“Water infrastructure is a big thing for me and many farmers. I think that needs to be opened up and opened up in a big way.”

Primary industries minister Clare Scriven said the government was “actively preparing for additional assistance”.

“The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is for primary producers to implement infrastructure projects that assist with managing current drought conditions and strengthen preparedness for future droughts,” she said.

“There are significant other supports available to farmers to invest in water infrastructure and efficiency, including low interest loans of up to $2m available through the Commonwealth.”

Originally published as ‘Water is gold’ but there’s not enough to go around for SA farmers cracking under drought pressures