Cheap water for farmers to grow fodder

Eligible drought-affected farmers can buy water cheaply to grow fodder under new federal government guidelines.

Chrissy and Bill Ashby on the banks of the Darling River near their property Trevallyn Station in Tilpa, far west NSW.

Drought-affected farmers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin can buy water cheaply to grow fodder under new federal government guidelines. Eligible growers and dairy farmers can apply to purchase up to two 50ML parcels at $100 per ML under the Water for Fodder program. New guidelines were released on Sunday.

The first 40 gigalitres will be available from December 9, Minister for Water Resources and Drought David Littleproud says.

“Water for Fodder will help farmers feed livestock so they can recover quickly when the drought breaks,” Mr Littleproud said in a statement. “It will help farmers keep their herds healthy so they’re not forced to destock.” He commended South Australia for making 100GL of water available, part of which is discounted for fodder and pasture production.

“Using their desalination plant will make sure Adelaide has enough water while freeing up water in the Murray for farmers,” Mr Littleproud said.

THE WATER FOR FODDER PROGRAM:

* Available for primary producers, including dairy farmers, in the southern connected Murray-Darling Basin

* Only for growing fodder and pasture in the water year it is allocated

* Cannot be used to produce fodder as a by-product

* 40GL available from December 9, another 60GL after April 1 and following an evaluation of the program.

AAP