Farmers in parts of the region could be facing the worst drought in 36 years with the necessary grass growth unlikely to appear until spring.
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Central Tablelands Local Land Services senior officer for livestock Brett Littler said the whole region is experiencing various levels of drought.
Last week he discussed supplementary feeding for cattle and sheep with 45 farmers and graziers at a drought forum in Nashdale.
The forums were also held at Lithgow, Bathurst and Mudgee and preparations are underway to hold more.
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“It really was to show the farmers what support was out there and the support from the different networks and give them information to take away for feeding and management of their animals,” Mr Littler said.
“There’s places around Orange that have been feeding [stock] for nearly 12 months.
“There’s places where storms have come through and it’s really hit and miss.
“In the tablelands it would take a phenomenally mild winter to get much growth, you are looking at spring.”
The discussions included animal health, grain poisoning issues and which feed to use for different animals, feed quality and quantity as well as maintaining nutrition in pregnant ewes and farm finance.
“The problem we are now finding is we are in a fairly wide-spread drought event, we are now getting to a point where our options are limited in what they can and can’t feed,” Mr Littler said.
“Now they have to do full hand feeding, which is proper drought feeding.”
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He said some farmers have been through droughts like this before but haven’t used the information for a long time.
Among the landholders who attended the Nashdale forum was Bill Trimmer of Spring Terrace.
“I’m like all farmers, we are starting to feel the affects of a long dry,” Mr Trimmer said.
“I’ve been in this district all my life and this is probably the worst drought since 1982.
“Nothing will grow until the first week of October, we’ve got three to six months to go.”
Although he has bores to fill water troughs, Mr Trimmer said he got rid of two thirds of his cattle.
“I thought I had enough food on hand and I planted a lot of crops,” he said.
However, late last year he gave feed to desperate farmers from Bathurst.
If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.