March 6, 2017
Farmers who are being affected by the extended dry season have been encouraged to apply for drought assistance.
Member for Gympie – and grazier – Tony Perrett said this week if seasonal conditions continued to worsen it was important that producers apply for Individually Droughted Property (IDP) status as soon as possible.
“If a local primary producer believes they are experiencing drought conditions they can apply for an IDP declaration,” Mr Perrett said.
“The below average rainfall and hot summer means that there is reduced pasture in many regions and surface water is either drying up or non-existent.
“I have spoken to numerous landowners across the region who are concerned that, at the end of the growing season and coming into autumn, unless significant rain comes soon the winter months will be very hard.
“Any drought assessment of the region is made by the Local Drought Committee (LDC) which does not usually meet until the end of the summer wet season to make the assessment.
“The committee will consider matters such as the availability of pasture and water; the condition of stock; the extent of drought movements of stock to forced sales, slaughter or agistment; the quantity of fodder introduced; assessment of agricultural and horticultural industries; the number of IDPs; and whether other abnormal factors have affected the situation.
“The drought declaration can either cover an entire area or shire or an individual property.”
Mr Perrett said farmers with questions about the application process contact should contact DAFF Climate Risk Coordinator Damien O’Sullivan in Kingaroy on (07) 4160-0717.
The map for 1-in-20 year drought zones is available online
Applications guidelines for an IDP are available on the DAF website
