‘Get out of the city’: Burra farmers Peter and Peter Stockman plead for Premier Malinauskas to see just how much the drought has hurt

Drought battered farmers in SA’s mid north have a message for North Terrace – but they’re not sure anyone is listening to it.

Burra farmer Peter Stockman has a plea for Premier Peter Malinauskas – to get out into the regions more and see first-hand just how tough drought is making it for those working the land.

Mr Stockman, 49, a third-generation grain and sheep farmer whose father is also called Peter, has joined The Advertiser and Sunday Mail’s For Pete’s Sake campaign, which aims to draw attention to the plight of farmers across our agricultural regions.

The Advertiser has tracked down farmers named Peter around the state for the campaign to raise awareness of one of the harshest droughts in the state’s history.

And it’s the attention of the Peter who runs the state – Mr Malinauskas – they want the most. Mr Stockman said he was out of pocket by at least $1m after a horror year on his 7000ha Mid North property.

Burra sheep and grain farmer Peter Stockman at his farm, Springvale North Poll Marinos with yards of First Cross lambs they have to send to feed yards because of no feed in his paddocks. Picture: Mark Brake

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas during a visit to the Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Tim Joy

“The show just has to go on, that’s the hard thing,” Mr Stockman said.

“We’re not spending, we’re only limited to spend what we are to keep the show going, and Burra has just been different because of it.

“If we get a late break in rain this year, we’re going to be screwed, we’re going to have to keep buying grain until we can’t.”

Keeping stock to keep the business alive, Mr Stockman said selling off any of his 8000 breeding ewes just wasn’t an option.

In the end, it was the decision to save his “core business” that rocked his pocketbook.

“We made the call early,” he said.

“But it meant we bought in seven or so semi loads of hay and nine or 10 semi loads of grain, and that’s just been the biggest cost because we never, ever buy in.

“With the breeding stock that we’ve got, we just need to hang on to it.”

Burra Sheep and Grain farmer Peter Stockman with his dad Peter Stockman senior at their Burra, Springvale North Poll Marinos. Picture: Mark Brake

The For Pete’s Sake campaign is calling on the state government to substantially increase the $18m support package announced in November.

Increasing a freight subsidy program for charities providing donated hay, and relief from fees and charges such as the emergency services levy and vehicle registration, are other measures that would help relieve the cost burden on farmers whose incomeshave been slashed.

Mr Stockman said it had appeared to farmers the state government had taken little notice of the drought until Adelaide Hills residents started running out of water over summer.

But he said if he had one piece of advice to give the next generation of South Australian farmers, it would be to “stay positive”.

“It is challenging, but they’ve got to look at the bright side and stay positive, which can be hard in times such as these,” Mr Stockman said.

“But it comes in cycles – things go up real far and come down really low, but that’s farming.”

Mr Malinauskas said he had met with cattle, dairy and grain farmers in the state’s South-East in October before announcing an $18 million Drought Support Package.

“This package includes donated fodder transport subsidies for hay runs, critical water infrastructure grants, mental health, and community support,” he said.

“We are acutely aware the drought has not broken, and that many parts of the state are seeing the driest conditions on record.

“The government is actively preparing for additional support.

“We will continue to engage with farmers, peak bodies, local government, and community organisations as we work together to support farmers and communities through this difficult time.”

Originally published as ‘Get out of the city’: Burra farmers Peter and Peter Stockman plead for Premier Malinauskas to see just how much the drought has hurt