Queensland farms left bare in devastating drought

FARMERS in drought-stricken Queensland are being forced to sell all their livestock after four years of little rain.

Qld Drought. Sheep Grazier Vicki Burden on her Macsland Property just out of Longreach. Pic Mark Calleja

FARMERS in drought-stricken Queensland are being forced to sell all their livestock after four years of little rain, and with no end to the big dry in sight.

A growing number of cattle and sheep farms in drought-affected areas are becoming bare as farmers run out of food and water for stock.

Queensland is suffering the most widespread drought in the state’s history, with a record 80.35 per cent of its land officially drought declared.

To make matters worse, the Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday forecasted a moderate-to-strong El Niño in the second half of 2015, potentially exacerbating the prolonged drought.

AgForce Queensland chief executive officer Charles Burke said the situation was dire and a large number of farmers had already made the tough decision to de-stock.

“People in some of these parts have just been through their third failed wet season, so it’s been four years since they have had any good rain,” Mr Burke said.

“They’re telling us they’ve run out of options.”

The Richmond Shire’s two biggest industries are sheep and cattle farming — and the region is among the state’s worst drought areas.

Mayor John Wharton said half of Richmond’s 70 large livestock properties were now bare.

“That means they (farmers) have no income,” he said.

Some farmers have left the region to find other work.

Those who do return when weather conditions improve are likely to pay more for stock than what they sold them for due to reduced supply.

Grain farmers in Queensland are also doing it tough, with many unwilling to plant this winter due to a lack of moisture in the ground.

The federal and state governments have both recognised how dire the situation is.

The Queensland government has promised drought relief arrangements until at least 2018, while the federal budget included $70 million for primary producers to claim tax deductions.