South Australian areas have continued to see lowest on record, severe or serious rainfall deficiencies for the ten-month period since February 2024. As a result, dairy farmers remain concerned about stock and domestic water, herd sizes, supplementary feed, profit margins and cash flow, as well as health and wellbeing.
Dairy Australia will continue to monitor the situation and support farmers through this time. For up-to-date information and resources about dry conditions, please visit our drought & dry conditions webpage or contact our team.
In addition, farmers experiencing their driest season on record can now access vital support through an $18 million State Government initiative. The package focuses on immediate relief as well as long-term resilience strategies.
Drought Hub and Grants
Farmers can visit PIRSA’s drought webpage to learn more about and apply for the following grants:
- On-farm drought infrastructure grants: Primary producers can apply for rebates of up to 75% (to a maximum of $5,000 excluding GST) for on-farm drought infrastructure. Eligible projects will include water infrastructure updates, water, grain and fodder storage, stock containment feeding, fencing to reduce grazing pressure, soil moisture monitors, and weather stations.
- Connecting Communities events grants: Applications are now open for eligible groups to host events that foster social connection and provide community support.
Ongoing hardship support
This new drought support package is on top of a range of ongoing support programs that are available based on need. Drought declarations aren’t required to access these programs.
- Family and Business mentors
- Rural Financial Counselling Service
- Farm Household Allowance
- Taxation measures and support
- Low interest and concessional loans
- Farm debt mediation
- Farm management deposits
- Telecommunications bill assistance
- Industry-led support programs
- Small business support
Visit PIRSA’s drought webpage to learn more and download the ‘SA Assistance guide for primary producers’. If you have any questions about the information above, you are welcome to contact PIRSA.recovery@sa.gov.au or call the PIRSA Recovery Hotline on 1800 931 314.
