{"id":289605,"date":"2020-12-10T13:26:46","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T03:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=289605"},"modified":"2020-12-11T13:48:51","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T03:48:51","slug":"drought-still-biting-in-burnett","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/12\/10\/drought-still-biting-in-burnett\/","title":{"rendered":"Drought Still Biting In Burnett"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BIEDO Project Officer Alan Broome has seen firsthand that drought is still hurting the local region<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 10, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recent predictions that agriculture is “bouncing back” with a strong winter crop and a promising rainfall outlook are not being reflected in the local region.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) has been receiving increased inquiries in relation\u00a0to drought support.<\/p>\n

CEO\u00a0Kristy Frahm said BIEDO had been connecting producers with the various\u00a0services available to support them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been an extraordinary year with businesses facing drought and COVID-19, so government agencies and community groups are doing what they can to give people a hand up by providing assistance or information,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBIEDO is committed to getting the message out there to as many producers as possible through our Hand Up database<\/a><\/strong>, so they can take advantage of these initiatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

BIEDO Project Officer Alan Broome has seen firsthand what is happening in the local region.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYoung crops are suffering under the hot dry conditions, or areas remain to be planted,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPasture growth from the October rains lacks bulk and is rapidly drying off or being eaten down.<\/p>\n

\u201cA producer advised that any rain ran off sloping country resulting in limited grass growth and he is now looking to resume supplementary feeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

DAF Senior Agriculture Extension Officer Damien O\u2019Sullivan told a recent\u00a0Ag Network gathering that the forecasts of a wet winter and spring under La Nina have\u00a0failed to materialise “with some questioning if it will happen at all\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr O\u2019Sullivan said the Weekly Tropical Climate Note<\/a><\/strong> issued by the Bureau of Meteorology was one of the most comprehensive insights as to when elusive rain might fall.<\/p>\n

Widespread media coverage of record crops and an end to the drought in the south seem to ignore the ongoing problems in Queensland, where surface and underground water supplies remained\u00a0 depleted\u00a0in many areas.<\/p>\n

While cattle prices have been at record levels, many producers’ have lacked the stock from several years of drought to capitalise on this situation.<\/p>\n

Ms Frahm reminded Burnett producers there was a growing database of financial and support services\u00a0available, as both the North Burnett and South Burnett regions remained drought-declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an example of the support available, QCWA have confirmed their Public Rural Crisis Fund is still open, and we strongly encourage farmers impacted by drought to consider applying for the Natural\u00a0Disaster strand of up to $1000 worth of support should they require assistance,\u201d Ms Frahm said.<\/p>\n

Landholders affected by drought can also contact BIEDO on 0400-695-456 for a confidential chat.<\/p>\n

External links:<\/strong><\/p>\n