Hundred year history on the line: Generational farmers on the brink under South Australian drought conditions

A farmer at Baroota near Port Pirie is pleading for more empathy before it’s too late.

“Empathy for farmers” is all Peter Dennis is asking from the government, and he doesn’t care if it’s Liberal, Labor, Greens or anyone in between.

Baroota on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf – about 30km from Port Pirie – has been home to Mr Dennis’ family for more than 100 years. The family has farmed both grain and sheep for five generations, with Peter Dennis, 80, being the fourth.

The Dennis family first moved to the area in 1921, and more than 100 years down the track, the sixth generation of the family has been born.

But things are looking bleak for those future generations of farmers, Mr Dennis said, and “it worries me greatly”.

Peter Dennis, farmer at Baroota, near Port Pirie. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mr Dennis was one of the farmers from around the state The Advertiser and Sunday Mail tracked down named Peter 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.

Quite a lot of land north of Booleroo in the lower Flinders Ranges had been put for forced sale lately, which was “really sad”, Mr Dennis said.

Mr Dennis said the drought had forced many into dire circumstances and under financial constraints.

“Some people have been on the land for 50, bloody 60, 70 years, and that’s the really sad thing,” he said.

“Some of those people probably won’t be able to survive.

“You can’t just pluck a million bucks out of the bank to buy something or fix yourself up.

“I think we’re going to be fine, but not so much other people unfortunately.”

Peter Dennis, farmer at Baroota, near Port Pirie. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Primary Industry minister Clare Scriven said a total $5.4m had been spent on health and wellbeing support through the government’s $18m drought support package.

“As Minister, I acknowledge first of all that farmers are doing it tough at the moment as they grapple with some of the driest conditions we’ve seen yet,” she said.

“Right now, counselling, and mental health services are available to drought affected farmers across South Australia. My message to any farmer struggling, is please reach out to one of these services that can assist you.

“The government is also actively preparing for additional assistance.”

Mr Dennis said while he was happy for support, he felt the one thing missing from any political party was simply there wasn’t enough empathy for farmers.

“All government persuasions should just take on a lot more empathy for farmers,” he said.

Originally published as Hundred year history on the line: Generational farmers on the brink under South Australian drought conditions