Drought

With predictions for lower than average rainfall over the coming year, it is important that farmers are aware of the services available to them.

Our staff are on the ground to support farmers with advice, resources and contacts leading up to, during and after drought.

Local Land Services role in drought support

We are available with ongoing advice for farmers and landholders planning for and dealing with drought.

Our staff live in regional NSW and are available to offer hands-on support with current, localised information and advice on managing and recovering from drought:

our livestock officers provide technical advice on feeding and nutrition
our district veterinarians manage and advise on livestock health and welfare
our TSR rangers manage permits for grazing on travelling stock reserves and roads
our drought adoption officers assist in delivering drought planning and preparedness across the state.

Key drought initiatives

We are working closely with the Southern and Northern Drought and Innovation Hubs and the Federal Government to deliver the following projects across NSW.

Adoption officers: Local Land Services will receive $1 million in funding over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years to employ additional extension officers who will assist in delivering drought planning and preparedness across the state.
Saving our soils (stock management areas): Local Land Services will lead the saving our soils project over two years. This $1 million project is a partnership with six farming system groups and the Soil Knowledge Network. The project will deliver demonstration sites, case studies, workshops and follow-up design support for producers to establish stock management areas.
Soil extension funding: LLS also received $750,000 in investment from the Australian government for three projects that will provide soil testing and soil health extension services across five Local Land Service regions.

How can I prepare for drought?

Drought is a risk that needs to be managed, just like any other business risk. The following resources are aimed at helping producers plan and prepare for drought.

The Farm Tracker App is a simple tool to help you monitor seasonal conditions on your property.
The Combined Drought Indicator Map will help you understand the emergence of drought in your area, and give you time to put plans in place.
The State Seasonal Update is produced by NSW DPI to give an overview of seasonal conditions.
Support is available through programs such as the Farm Innovation Fund and Farm Business Resilience Program and Drought Loan to help you plan and prepare.
The Managing drought, fire and flood guide covers the range of issues you need to consider, including planning, strategies and a drought action plan.
A drought plan template is a good resource to help you understand your current situation and what critical decisions you may need to make to prepare for drought.
Drought and supplementary feed calculator (DPI) is an essential tool for sheep and cattle producers to develop drought feed rations as well as rations for dry periods when supplementary feeding is required.

Drought preparedness guides

black and brown cows easting grain from a red feeder on the dry bare ground

On-farm drought management

graphic with a picture of sheep and headline drought plan template with a screenshot of the table in the template

Drought decision-making

Sheep on dry, dusty paddock with truck carrying hay against blue sky

Drought feeding livestock

black cattle eating cereal hay at trough in confinement area

Confinement feeding sheep and cattle

sheep standing around a dam that is surrounded by bare ground and dry grass

Stock water requirements in drought

LLS staff member standing in paddock with hills in background

Drought video resources

Drought

Upcoming events with advice on local seasonal conditions and preparing your property for drought.

Greater Sydney

cartoon image of a rural farm property in the foreground with fire burning in the background

5 Jun 2025 9:30 am - 19 Jun 2025 2:30 pm

Small Farms Property planning - Richmond Lowlands

Join us for a hands-on workshop designed for small to medium-sized farms, held over three sessions at the Greater Sydney...

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Murray

people sitting in chairs looking at a screen and a presenter

5 Jun 2025 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Farm business management webinars

Ready to take your farm business to the next level?Ready to take your farm business to the next level?Whether you're pla...

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Greater Sydney

12 Jun 2025 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Landholder launchpad - Richmond Lowlands

Whether you’ve just bought a rural block or been managing your patch for a while, this is your chance to get to kn...

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Central West

17 Jun 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Fodder shrub workshop | Coonamble

Do you have native shrubs on your property? Do your livestock eat these native shrubs?Native shrubs can provide a valuab...

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Central West

18 Jun 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Fodder shrub workshop | Mendooran

Do you have native shrubs on your property? Do your livestock eat these native shrubs?Native shrubs can provide a valuab...

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Murray

18 Jun 2025 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Farm business management webinars - Session 2

Ready to take your farm business to the next level?Ready to take your farm business to the next level?Whether you're pla...

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Hunter

19 Jun 2025 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Confinement feeding bus tour

Join us for a Feeding Systems Bus TourExplore innovative feeding solutions across the Merriwa and Cassilis region with a...

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Murray; Riverina

a herd of cattle on dry land, hay in the background

23 Jun 2025 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Managing the Winter Feed Gap – Tumbarumba

Join us for a practical, hands-on workshop focused on overcoming feed and water shortages this winter while maintaining ...

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Central West

24 Jun 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Fodder shrub workshop | Nyngan

Do you have native shrubs on your property? Do your livestock eat these native shrubs?Native shrubs can provide a valuab...

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What is the NSW DroughtHub?

The NSW Government’s DroughtHub provides full details of the wide range of practical and financial support available to people and businesses across the state. This includes information on:

available drought assistance
latest drought maps
state seasonal updates
managing during drought
water resources during drought
animal welfare during drought
wellbeing
assistance near you
drought news and media.

Australian Government drought support

The Australian Government has released a drought response, resilience and preparedness plan, with three themes:

immediate action for those in drought
support for the wider communities affected by drought
long-term resilience and preparedness.

Visit the Australian Government's Drought, disaster and rural support page to find out more.

Additional drought information and resources

There are a range of publications, factsheets and apps on the NSW DroughtHub and elsewhere, including:

Find out more about these initiatives.

Contact your region for drought support

Contact your local office and extension staff for advice on preparing, managing and recovering from drought:

If you’re unsure which region you’re in, you can look it up using our regional map.

Drought

Local Land Services role in drought support

Key drought initiatives

How can I prepare for drought?

Drought preparedness guides

On-farm drought management

Drought decision-making

Drought feeding livestock

Confinement feeding sheep and cattle

Stock water requirements in drought

Drought video resources

Drought

Small Farms Property planning - Richmond Lowlands

Farm business management webinars

Landholder launchpad - Richmond Lowlands

Fodder shrub workshop | Coonamble

Fodder shrub workshop | Mendooran

Farm business management webinars - Session 2

Confinement feeding bus tour

Managing the Winter Feed Gap – Tumbarumba

Fodder shrub workshop | Nyngan

What is the NSW DroughtHub?

Australian Government drought support

Additional drought information and resources

Contact your region for drought support

Related information

News & Events

Drought feeding livestock

Saving Our Soils During Drought