“It’s quite negative out there,” were the opening remarks of NSW Drought Co-ordinator, Ray Willis when he spoke at the landholder support day at Booroorban last week.
“I’m hearing people who say they cannot do it again.
“They don’t want to go through what they did in 2019.
“The region has been hovering in and out of drought this season with very patchy rain.
“It’s another green drought. You get a shower and everything looks nice and green, but there’s no moisture underneath.
“And what comes next?
“Mice and locusts.
“There’s already been the fuel supply and costs issues.
“People are getting quite fatigued about this.”
Since his appointment in November last year, Mr Willis has hit the ground running and has addressed 138 meetings across the State.
He has also met with several key stakeholders, including Snowy Valleys Council, the Drought Innovation Hub and representatives from the Rural Financial Counselling Service and a range of financial institutions.
Mr Willis plays a key role in strengthening support for communities in southern NSW most affected by drought.
“Declaring drought is something of the past,” he told the well-attended gathering at Booroorban.
“The government’s policy is to prepare for drought.”
The new National Drought Agreement encourages a consistent, collaborative approach to drought across the country.
“The government wants to put more money into preparing for drought,” Mr Willis added.
“Treat drought as a predictable event. We’ve been hovering in and out of drought this season with very patchy rain.”
Mr Willis also warns that last year’s debt was starting to impact on this year’s farming operations.
“On a positive side, a lot of people are preparing early,” he said.
“They are making decisions much earlier, whether it be destocking, container feeding or sending their livestock elsewhere.”
Ian Marang from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also warned that the forecast was not good.
“You are getting really patchy rain which may not be getting into the soil,” Dr Marang said.
“We would like to see current rainfall stick around for a bit.
“Take every forecast with a grain of salt, if not a salt mine. It’s just how wrong it is.”
Graziers also received a warning from Deniliquin-based LLS vet, Katelyn Braine, about feeding grain during drought which could lead to pulpy kidney and acidosis in livestock.
“Make sure you introduce grain gradually and increase the amounts slowly,” she cautioned.
The Landholder support day was organised by Sally Ware from the Hay office of LLS, Geoff Minchin (Drought Adoption Officer Program) from Temora and Rebecca Stacey, Team Leader – Agriculture Production.
This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 3 June 2026.
