Latest news with #BelindaSteers
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I won't get excited until my hair is wet': This weekend is make or break for farmers
The battered mental health of many drought-stricken farmers hinges upon a cold front forecast to dump rain across much of the state this weekend. Rain began falling in parched areas of south-west Victoria on Friday morning, bringing some relief to communities suffering through record-low rainfall over the past 18 months. But rain seemed to bypass other areas. Farmers hope this cold front signals the start of a wet winter as they desperately seek hay and feed to nourish livestock in dusty, barren paddocks. North central Victorian farmer and agricultural consultant Belinda Steers said farmers throughout Victoria were battling some of the worst conditions they had experienced. 'This is the one rainfall event that will make or break people,' she said. 'Mental health-wise I probably haven't seen farming at such a low point.' Loading Steers had to buy water for her home after her tanks ran dry. She said even heavy rain in coming days would not result in immediate grass growth because the ground was too cold. But rain would bring hope, Steers said. 'It just gives people that optimism that it can still rain.' Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said farmers in the most drought-stricken areas would need at least 10 millimetres of rain to make a difference, although they were hoping for much more.
The Age
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Age
‘I won't get excited until my hair is wet': This weekend is make or break for farmers
The battered mental health of many drought-stricken farmers hinges upon a cold front forecast to dump rain across much of the state this weekend. Rain began falling in parched areas of south-west Victoria on Friday morning, bringing some relief to communities suffering through record-low rainfall over the past 18 months. But rain seemed to bypass other areas. Farmers hope this cold front signals the start of a wet winter as they desperately seek hay and feed to nourish livestock in dusty, barren paddocks. North central Victorian farmer and agricultural consultant Belinda Steers said farmers throughout Victoria were battling some of the worst conditions they had experienced. 'This is the one rainfall event that will make or break people,' she said. 'Mental health-wise I probably haven't seen farming at such a low point.' Loading Steers had to buy water for her home after her tanks ran dry. She said even heavy rain in coming days would not result in immediate grass growth because the ground was too cold. But rain would bring hope, Steers said. 'It just gives people that optimism that it can still rain.' Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said farmers in the most drought-stricken areas would need at least 10 millimetres of rain to make a difference, although they were hoping for much more.
