Coorong District Council’s Mayor has stated that it is time to acknowledge that the driest season ever on record in the Coorong district is a drought.
Mayor Paul Simmons said that the rainfall received for the growing season in 2024 is the lowest on record, after having already experienced a dry Spring in 2023.
Severely limited crop and pasture growth and recent frosts have been the final straw in killing any hope of a reprieve for primary producers this year.
“To a great extent farmers across our region have shown great resilience over recent years in regard to seasonal variability, increasing input costs and high interest rates,” the Mayor said.
“Our producers have been proactive in investing on farm to ensure resilience in challenging seasons in areas such as fodder reserves and storage, water security technology, and livestock management improvements.
“However, this season is presenting challenges beyond what these improvements can offset.”
The seasonal outlook for the district looks very challenging indeed with some certainty now of poor crop yields, severe impacts on the ability to produce hay, and very poor growth in livestock feed.
“As a broad-acre farmer, I’m more than aware that these drought conditions are impacting nearly all other agricultural areas across the State”, he said.
Mayor Simmons is seeking a meeting with the Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas, to discuss what support may be put in place to assist primary producers affected by the season in the State’s agricultural areas.
As the season continues to impact primary producers, Mayor Simmons encourages those that may be feeling the strain to seek support from family, friends, or local mental health providers and support agencies.
