Drought conditions prevent Wes Brown and Xavier Martin from planting winter crops

Traditional crops such as wheat, barley and oats would normally have long been planted, but as July winds down, most farmers have not had the required rainfall to sow crops.

Fifth generation Tamworth dairy farmer, Wes Brown, said a lack of rainfall was the core factor behind his decision to “give up” on a winter crop this season.

“Our yearly average for rainfall here is about 600mm per year and so far this year we’ve had 84mm,” Mr Brown said.

“We are miles off in terms of rainfall and looking around at the moment you can see how dry it is and just how much rain we would need to get a winter crop going.”

Tambar Springs farmer, Xavier Martin, told Fairfax Media the drought was one of the worst he has seen during his time in the region.

“It’s shaping up to be a one in a 20 year drought,” Mr Martin said.

“At our place, we have recorded the worst financial year for rainfall (June 30 2017 to June 30 2018) since 1964.

“While we live in rich and diverse farming country in terms of what you can plant, there’s not much you can do with that little rain.”

Mr Martin said most nearby farmers had already opted not to plant a winter crop.

“Being such a versatile farming area, you are not too restricted in when you can plant crops,” he said.

“Unlike areas of Australia that can only have winter crops, we are able to grow in summer as well, we have up to six-months to plant while others may only have a few weeks.

“Across the board though, there is varying levels of sub-soil moisture.

“Some will have more than others and I have seen some farmers around who have done some dry sowing, but I think that was done more in hope than anything else.”

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Mr Martin said he would begin focusing on his farm’s summer cropping program.

“I wouldn’t plant anything now,” he said.

“It's too late to really reap the benefits of a winter crop without it potentially delaying your summer program.

“So that’s what we will be doing, focusing on our summer crops.”

The lack of winter crops throughout the region, is likely to cause stress on stock fodder sources for next year.

“Normally, the crops we would grow in the winter months for feed would see our cattle through the summer months,” Mr Brown said.

“Without that feed though, we are having to source feed from further and further away and financially that is making a massive impact.”

Mr Martin agreed that the real toll of this year’s drought would be known in 2019.

“A lack of a winter crop this year is really going to hit people hard in 12-months time in my opinion,” he said.

“Most farmers have a multi-year plan in place, but I think even the most prepared farmer will be feeling the pinch in 12-months time if it doesn’t rain and these drought conditions continue on.”