The paddocks are lush, the rain keeps coming and the cows are returning to their peaks — but south-west Victorian farmers are still reeling from the worst drought in memory.
With predictions farmers will take up to five years to recover, south-west farmers are warning green spring paddocks do not mean the impact of the drought has ended.
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president and Winslow farmer Bernie Free says despite strong spring growth, most local farmers are still doing it tough with extra debt, high costs and reduced production after being forced to sell cows during the drought.
And he’s worried governments will be lulled into a false sense of security because of the spring growth.
“The first thing government needs to understand is that the drought is not over,” Mr Free said.
“To say that it’s green and growing and there’s nothing to worry about is just not true.”
Local farmers have told Dairy News Australia they expect to take years to recover from the after-effects of the drought, with the current growth just masking the underlying problems.
Mr Free said most farmers in the region were not travelling well, even though spring has exceeded expectations.
“It’s amazing what nine months of very dry weather does to the soil. It kept it very warm over winter and when it started to rain in spring, the grass bolted out of the ground,” he said.
“I’ve never seen grass grow so quickly in two months but the farmers that had to sell milkers are in a world of pain through lack of production.
“Those that sold heifers or didn’t rear calves are going to be in a painful situation for four to five years.
”Those who didn’t sell cows will probably recover in two to three years depending on milk price and how much overdraft they have hanging over them.”
Mr Free said some farmers would buy cows to replenish their herds but others might decide to take an early exit from the industry.
“A few have moved forward plans for retirement or shifting to beef and slowing down,” he said.
He warns it’s not just dairy farmers that are hurting, it’s all local agriculture and broader regional communities.
“It impacts on the whole community,” Mr Free said.
“We’re just not going to spend like we normally do. Communities across the state rely on agriculture for their pay cheques, from takeaway places to machinery dealerships.
“It isn’t just dairy, beef, sheep or cropping, the ripple effect impacts on the whole community.
“The government needs to understand that this is not just about dairy farmers and others in agriculture, it’s about the whole fabric of the community.
“As a dairy farmer, I need the rest of agriculture to be firing because we need dealerships and service people in town to survive.”
Drought volunteer Elise McKinnon is encouraging south-west farmers to claim grants they are eligible for.
She has launched a ‘Bring it home’ campaign urging farmers to apply for grants and support, including a CWA household support grant, which, despite good intentions, has had a limited uptake across drought-affected regions.
“We’d like to see a better uptake of the loans to make sure we’re bringing all the eligible grants into our community,” Ms McKinnon said.
“These grants are there for people and you can get $1000 for 15 minutes’ work in filling in the form.”
Ms McKinnon said there seemed to be some reluctance among farmers to seek support, with concerns about the administrative process, thinking others need it more or being concerned that it “looks like welfare”.
Her campaign aims to reframe drought relief as a collective recovery effort, not a handout.