Wheat, canola and cereal crops in Gilgandra, Dubbo and Wellington shires had a "reasonable harvest" Orana Regional Development Association (RDA) chair John Walkom said.

"Some people are reasonably happy with their yield, some have been not so happy," he said.

"In general those who have farmed well are happy with the outcomes."

Traditionally the rain dries up from now until the end of the year and farmers have acted accordingly, Mr Walkom said.

"Farmers are reducing the number of cattle and sheep or feeding them," he said.

Mr Walkom said local business had fared as well as agriculture in the face of drought.

"There's been record trading from one business and not very good from another," he said.

"Those doing business well are doing OK, those that aren't are struggling."

In Narromine, Agrigrain general manager Jeremy Brown said despite low rainfall cereal crop harvest had been successful.

"We were on track for record yields, but there wasn't a lot of rain from September," Mr Brown said.

He said Narromine had begun to get "back on track" after a few difficult years.

"This year has been better than the last few years in farmers in the central west," he said.

"But we're hopeful for rain in December, February and April to set up for the winter cropping."

He added the effects of the drought on small business was also telling around Narromine, but many had begun to regroup.

"The local economy has been quite flat," he said.

Warren mayor Rex Wilson said the amount of rain had varied a lot because of the size of the shire.

While some had good rain, Mr Wilson said others had missed out.

"Unanimously we're looking for a good rain over summer," he said.

He said harvest was relatively satisfactory given the dry finish.

"Some people were pleasantly surprised," he said.

"The chick peas were disappointing, but the wheat and barley was pretty good."

Stock numbers were also way down, but Cr Wilson said the market had held up well and people are selling off crop.

"At least people are able to sell off stock at a reasonable return," he said.

"It's a good incentive to stay in business."

As had been echoed right across the west, local business in Warren had also felt the pinch.

Further west the Cobar Shire had had a very dry year and the flow-on affects had an impact on the whole community, mayor Lilliane Brady believed.

"We're definitely not getting enough rain," she said.

"It's starting to affect the graziers because they all depend on each other."

The community is praying for rain, said Cr Brady.

"I'm hoping the new year brings lots of rain and eases some heartache," she said.

"We're a resilient bunch though, we get knocked down today and get back up tomorrow."

Drought forced a lot of community members to bypass local business, Cr Brady said.

"Businesses are having it hard because of the drought," she said.

"A lot of people are going out of town or getting it online.

"Fly-in fly-out workers don't contribute much to the local economy because they're gone as soon as they come."

Cr Brady said Cobar Shire would be looking for "as much government assistance as possible" if things continue.

Bogan Shire mayor Ray Donald said despite some isolated, good rain the area had been dry in general.

"But there has been a very good winter, which unfortunately dried up rapidly," he said.

Cr Donald said stock is still in a good condition and prices are good.

Grain harvest provided a good yield, said Cr Donald.

The festive season had lightened the mood and increased productivity for local business, but rain is still a necessity for the area, said Cr Donald.

"Good rain would save the stress that may build up early next year," he said.