Water.............. this is what happens when you dont have enough. I have to admit this song sends a shiver down my spine every time I hear it. I have seen friends and neighbours sold up by the banks and this year has been pretty bleak. I was talking to the cropper who leases my remote farm a couple of days ago. No rain in October & November meant what crop he had failed misserably. It went around 1 bag to the acre. The worst crops ever recorded off of the farm. He has also just sent most of his sheep off on a semi trailer to adjisted feed 300 km. away.
I only have 160 sheep spead over more than 1000 acres left on the farm myself, with another 300 moved down into the hills near Adelaide. Some of those moved where lambs, only 8 weeks old. Far and away the earliest I have ever weaned lambs, but fortunately the decision appears to have payed off and they are doing OK. . Luckily I have found additional feed down in the hills to keep the extra sheep going, but it is tough for those without the options.
A drive through the drought affected country on the weekend was concerning. Many paddocks completely bare, with stock huddled around the occasional bale of hay or seeking shelter from the heat in the shade of spindly Mallee trees................And its only the start of December.
There are many months ahead before any expectation of opening rains next season. I should get through OK but I am concerned for my friends and neighbours. What if it doesnt rain next year..????
Rain on the Scarecrow - John Mellencamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNzRzZhR2Y
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