South Australia is drier than the Sahara, with rainfall deficits at a level on-par with the 2018-19 east coast drought. Despite the dire situation in the South, the crisis remains largely unnoticed beyond state borders.
A Localised Crisis with Broader Implications
Malcolm Bartholomaeus, a long-term grains industry analyst and farmer in Clare, SA, attributes the lack of national recognition to the drought’s confined geographical impact. However, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports that this dry spell is part of a larger trend affecting coastal areas of southern Australia, including Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
“While everyone here is well aware of the situation, outside the state there probably hasn’t been that wide ranging coverage we saw when the situation is hitting a larger area,” Mr Bartholomaeus said.
Bureau of Meteorology Highlights Long-Term Rainfall Deficiencies
The BOM’s February Drought Statement highlights a 23-month rainfall deficiency, beginning in April 2023. The statement notes that the analysis period covers the last two April to October cool seasons.
The cool season period is important for southern Australia as it is when the majority of its rainfall occurs. This means that:
it is the main growing season for many crops
there is increased soil moisture content and runoff
there is increased streamflow, leading to increases in water storage levels.
It also states that water storages in south-eastern states were 10 to 50% lower than the same time last year, while water storages for Adelaide and Perth were around 40% full.
Record-Breaking Dry Spell Impacts on Agriculture and Water Resources
The severity of the situation is evident in the rainfall statistics. Many centers across South Australia have recorded their lowest annual rainfall in over a century. BOM data shows that most of the state’s productive farmland is experiencing very much below average rainfall, with some areas facing their driest conditions on record for the past 12 months.
The persistent dryness has led to:
- Decreased soil moisture content
- Reduced runoff and streamflow
- Lower water storage levels across much of southern Australia
These factors significantly impact the agricultural sector, affecting crop growth, livestock management, and overall farm productivity.
Grain Producers South Australia Seek Support and Recognition
Grain Producers South Australia (GPSA) has reached out to Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, attempting to raise national awareness of the situation,
Their letter invites Ms Collins to visit South Australian regions and assess the conditions firsthand.
In the letter, GPSA chief executive Brad Perry noted that the start of 2025 had not raised confidence, with no substantial rainfall to generate subsoil moisture prior to planting.
Board member at GPSA James Venning, from the Yorke Peninsula, said last season had proved tough but subsoil moisture had assisted.
“We will enter this year with no subsoil which is tougher if we run into a dry spell during the season.”
“The immediate area I’m in was probably one of the more fortunate ones, due to soil type and timing of the rain we were able to get away with it to an extent, particularly on crops such as lentils and barley, which were exceptional given the fact it was the lowest rainfall recorded at Bute since 1914.”
Calls for Federal Government to Join South Australian Government in Relief Assistance
The South Australian Government has recently implemented an $18 million drought support package to assist primary producers, including:
- $5 million for on-farm drought infrastructure grants
- $2 million to assist charities with freight costs to transport donated fodder to assist farmers with feeding livestock – charities wishing to apply for the SA Drought Donated Fodder Transport Assistance Scheme should contact PIRSA.drought@sa.gov.au or call our Recovery Hotline
- $100,000 for grants of up to $5,000 for events that connect communities
- $4.4 million budget commitment plus an extra $1 million for additional health and wellbeing support through Family and Business (FaB) Mentors and Rural Financial Counsellors
- $5.5 million funding provided to the State and Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund, which includes ongoing programs to help farmers with farm business resilience planning, climate tools and demonstrating more resilient farming practices.
However, it’s been suggested that federal government intervention could help with practical assistance.
“We need to look at the acute things that need addressing now,” said Mr Bartholomaeus.
“For instance, new tanks will be fantastic help when the next drought comes around but aren’t going to help make it rain, instead it would be good to look at water tanker and freight subsidies to keep water up to houses and to livestock.”
He also noted the impact across the sector; “Some business types, such as cropping, might not be quite as bad, while some agribusinesses with a good footprint outside the state may have more income coming in while those with a focus on serving local farmers are doing it tougher, but the dry is being felt right across the industry.”
As South Australia’s agricultural community continues to battle this silent crisis, it’s crucial for the rest of the nation to recognise and support their struggle. The resilience of our farmers and the importance of sustainable water management have never been more apparent.
References: Farm Online, BOM February Drought Report, PIRSA, GPSA