CONTENTS

Managing the Drought

Drought situations require planning and complex business and family decisions. Attached is a Drought Management Information flyer to assist SA dairy farmers and their families review their drought management plan. Below you will find useful links and contacts to assist you through this challenging time.
Drought Management Information - Issue #2
Recovering from a Dry Season - Drought Recovery Workshops to be held early July 2007, for more information click here.

• Drought Hotline - phone 180 20 20 
  For access to drought related information - including support services, local rural financial counsellors, Centrelink payments, maintaining land condition, managing stock and crops in dry times, the condition of the River Murray and Murray-Darling Basin. 
  
• The state government's assistance package for South Australia's drought stricken farming communities.
  $4million State Government Drought Aid Package 
  
• Rural Financial Counselling Service - phone 1800 836 211 
  The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Program provides primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses with free and impartial support and referral information to help clients to manage the challenges of industry change and adjustment, and improve financial self reliance.
  SA Rural Financial Counselling contact list
  
• Drought Link Support worker - phone 08 8303 1497
  The Drought Link Support Worker can provide advice and information about coping with distress and hardship, and can provide information about local community services in Country South Australia.
  
• Beyond blue - phone 1300 22 4636
  Information about depression and anxiety, available treatments and where to get help.
  
• Lifeline
  Lifeline provides all Australians with access to a 24-hour telephone counselling service on 13 11 14. This service is available to anyone in Australia needing emotional support, for the cost of a local call.
  Tool Kit for getting through the drought
  
• Relationships Australia - phone 1300 864 277
  Relationship support advice and services for individuals, families and communities.
  
• Centrelink - phone 1800 050 585 
  Through Centrelink, the Australian Government is helping people in communities that have been affected by the drought in a number of ways. This includes providing financial support for farmers in areas that have been declared to be in Exceptional Circumstances, such as Interim Income Support and the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment.
  Other assistance such as Farm Help and extra support for farm hands is also available.
  Centrelink is working closely with the SA Government, local services and rural counsellors to help farmers cope with the drought.
  
• River Murray Water Restrictions - phone 08 8595 2053
  Information for water users in the Murraylands and Lakes region on allocation & restriction, licenses & water trading.
  
• Improving water use efficiency at the dairy - to prevent exceeding your farms industrial water allocation for the dairy, and in light of the current water shortages there are several conservation measures that farms can implement or install to reduce their freshwater usage.  Farm water use budget sheet showing requirements for stock & dairy washdown - click here
  
• Acid sulfate soils along the Lower River Murray (information sheet)The Murray-Darling Basin is currently experienceing the worst drought on record.  Water levels in the River Murray have dropped in certain areas in South Australia which has resulted in the formation and exposure of acid sulfate soils in some of the dried areas and other areas are at risk of developing acid sulfate soils.
  
• SA Water - phone 1800 130 952 
  Areas that receive River Murray water can find information on water restrictions on the SA Water website. Also provided are top tips on how to save water in your home, your garden & your business.
  
• Bureau of Meteorology
  Short and long term weather forecasts.
  
• Grain Supply
  The Current Grain Market Situation in Australia produced by Australian Dairy Industry Council 
  ABB Grain - phone 1800 018 205 - for referral to a local Field Officer 
  AWB Limited - phone 1800 054 433 - Grain Traders, Farmers, Marketers & Stock Feed Suppliers - listed in the yellow pages.
  
• The Australian Fodder Industry Association - phone 03 9890 6855 
  Contact details of hay growers across Australia, including hay for sale, pricing and location.
  
• South Australian Farmers' Federation (SAFF) - Feed & Seed Register - phone 1800 753 277
  A register of available seed, fodder and agistment has been launched by SAFF to assist the State's farmers through the present drought.
  
• Stockfeed information:
  Alternative Forage Sources
  Alternative feeds for Dairy Cows
  The value of unusual feeds in drought
  How much fodder do you need this dry period?
  Grazing moisture stressed cereal & canola crops
  Managing failed canola crops
  Risks in grazing or feeding canola
  
  
• Forage Skill$ - phone 08 8536 3958
  Building farmers skills, knowledge & confidence in forage management.