As local primary producers, industry representatives, and employees stood alongside them at the Grafton Regional Livestock Selling Centre last week.

Member for Clarence Richie Williamson and Leader of the NSW Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Dugald Saunders urged the Labor Government to unveil its drought preparedness plan after small pockets of the state were recently declared to be back in drought, including areas around Grafton which haven’t seen substantial rainfall since late 2022.

“Who could imagine only 18 months ago, the region was in the grips of a catastrophic flood, and now, we’re staring down the barrel of some very dry times,” Mr Williamson said.

“It’s important that the Labor Government understand this, and we’re calling on them to step up and help our primary producers because they have already faced so much, and they shouldn’t have to go it alone.

“We’ve seen a very dry autumn, and a very dry winter, and our farmers need support.”

Mr Saunders agreed.

“Drought is unfortunately already knocking on the door in places like Grafton and throughout the Clarence region as Richie pointed out, and we’re calling on the Labor Government to do some planning and come forward with solutions like the Farm Innovation Fund and the AgSkilled Program.”

A low interest rate loan scheme for NSW farmers, the Farm Innovation Fund assists in improving farm productivity, managing adverse seasonal conditions, and ensuring long term sustainability, while the AgSkilled Program which encourage young people to get involved with the agriculture industry.

“Solutions like the Farm Innovation Fund offer farmers the opportunity to prepare for hardship, and to remain resilient,” Mr Saunders said.

“Programs like this have a proven track record of success, and I’m hoping the new Government will follow my commitment to tipping in another $1 billion dollars to the Farm Innovation Fund to keep supporting our primary industries.”

Mr Saunders also identified Farms of the Future, a $48 million program which utilises technology to create agricultural thought leaders and exemplar primary production businesses by supporting farmers to integrate technology to boost their productivity, increase market competitiveness and improve resource management, as another solution in response to the ongoing dry weather.

“The last drought was the worst in living memory, and it is vital that we plan for the next one now, but I am yet to hear what the new Minister for Agriculture intends to do to get our farmers through the harsh conditions,” Mr Saunders said.

Emma Rogers works on a property at Clarenza and said while local producers need to be proactive when it comes to drought preparedness, the Labor Government must step up and support them.

“A lot of people are worried about the dry weather,” she revealed.

“We want to know we’re supported so we can continue to do the work we do.”