Tassie also a tad parched

Not quite a drought yet but ...

IT may not be a drought of the epic proportions seen interstate, but farmers in Tasmanian’s south and east are also battling tough conditions.

Over the last 12 months, a lack of rain and pasture growth has seen many farmers in those regions forced to sell off stock.

Matthew Dunbabin farms at Dunalley and like many farmers in the region is buying grain to feed his sheep, which will soon start lambing.

“I don’t think anyone would call it a drought, but it has definitely been a tough 12 months,” he said.

“Having said that when you look at what’s happening in places like New South Wales, we’re doing pretty well.”

Mr Dunbabin said about 600mm of rain had fallen on his property over the last year, but a large percentage of that came from two rainfall events.

“When you look at the overall millimetres we’re probably only a bit below average, but the timing of it has meant we didn’t get a good spring or a good autumn, so that has made it really tough,” he said.

A lack of run-off to fill dams and top up rivers and streams is also an issue causing concern.

“We use irrigation for our vineyard and looking at where it is now, I wouldn’t like to be heading into summer without seeing some run-off,” Mr Dunbabin said.

Julian Iles farms at Penna and said although a few millimetres of rain recently had greened up his paddocks, much more is needed.

“If we could get a good rain in the next couple of weeks we’d probably be right, but we’ll need a fair bit,” he said.

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association president Wayne Johnston has praised the efforts of farmers who have donated hay to help droughtstricken farmers in mainland states over the last week.

However, Mr Johnston said it was important not to forget about the Tasmanian farmers who are also facing very challenging conditions at the moment.

Tasmanian Nationals Senator Steve Martin is encouraging farmers facing difficulties to apply for Farm Household Allowance funding.

As part of the Federal Government’s $190 million drought assistance package, the net assets cap for Farm Household Allowance funding has been lifted to $5 million.

There are currently 48 Tasmanian farmers receiving Farm Household Allowance payments and overall since 2014 there have been 93 granted assistance.