Help for farmers and primary producers in times of drought

DroughtHub

NSW DroughtHub offers primary producers in NSW affected by drought with a range of resources:

• the NSW Managing Drought Guide
• information on programs to help businesses become more drought resilient
• tools and resources to help you manage feed, costs and crop salvaging
• feeding and nutrition information for stock.

Find out more on the NSW DroughtHub.

NSW Managing Drought Guide

The latest Managing Drought Guide helps NSW primary producers make informed decisions on how to manage in extended dry spells. It includes strategies and actions for farmers to help with the effects on their business before, during and after drought.

It also includes practical information on feeding livestock, farm management and sustainable practices, with resources from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services (LLS).

Download the guide from the DroughtHub website.

Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW

This organisation provides free, confidential advice to primary producers and small business owners in parts of NSW. It runs 2 programs:

• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• Regional Small Business Support Program.

Find out more on the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW website or call 1800 319 458

The Farm Business Resilience Program

The Farm Business Resilience Program builds the strategic management capacity of farmers, farm managers and employees in adapting to a changing climate.

The program supports learning in:

• strategic business skills
• risk management
• natural resource management
• personal and social resilience.

These skills are developed or updated through business coaching. Visit Business Coaching for more information or express your interest via the online form.

Drought Infrastructure Fund

The Drought Infrastructure Fund provides low-interest loans to farmers to help manage the risks posed by drought. Farmers can borrow up to $1 million to invest in infrastructure to:

• manage adverse seasonal conditions
• ensure long-term sustainability
• improve farm productivity.

The Drought Infrastructure Fund was previously known as the Farm Innovation Fund. If you submitted an application for a loan under the program's previous name, you do not have to do anything. Your application will progress in the queue.

Find out more about the program and how to apply on the Rural Assistance Authority website.

Young Farmer Business Program

The Young Farmer Business Program is creating opportunities for young farmers and fishers to enter into or expand their existing businesses by helping them improve their business skills.

Find information on grants, workshops, events, podcasts, toolkits and case studies to help you gain additional practical skills and knowledge.

Fee-Free Training with Skills NSW

Skills NSW provides fully subsidised training to allow eligible people to gain skills in Australia’s growing industries.

Local events

Events are held regularly across NSW to support land management work. Browse events happening across the state or use the regional filter to look up your local events.

Service NSW Business Bureau

The Service NSW Business Bureau offers personalised support every step of the way. You can:

• get one-on-one guidance over the phone, in person or online
• access independent, tailored business advice and a range of events, webinars and online resources
• manage government transactions with free digital tools.

Call 13 77 88 or visit Service NSW Business Bureau. 

Industry Growth Centres

Industry Growth Centres provide support to help you develop your business. Find workshops, training, networking, connection with researchers and developers, or project funding opportunities.

Recovery Connect

Find support to help you recover from a natural disaster. Recovery Connect lists various business initiatives and help available from the government.

Local Land Services help and advice

Local Land Services (LLS) is a regional agency of the NSW Government. It provides on-the-ground advice to farmers and landholders, working to secure the future of Australian agriculture and the environment.

Contact Local Land Services.

Search NSW Government Grants and funding finder for programs to help support your farm business with drought resilience planning and technology grants.

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) also offers financial assistance programs to primary producers, including subsidies and farm debt mediation.

The Australian Government's Future Drought Fund provides funding for drought resilience initiatives.

Drought and Supplementary Feed Calculator

The Drought and Supplementary Feed Calculator can help sheep and cattle producers develop feed rations for dry periods.

The Drought and Supplementary Feed Calculator houses nutritional values of 71 different feeds. It allows you to compare and develop a mixed ration containing up to 5 feeds and incorporate feed additives to help you calculate overall ration cost.

Download the app or use the tool in your browser.

Find out more on the Department of Primary Industries website.

Combined Drought Indicator

The Department of Primary Industries produces reports on seasonal conditions information across the state. It tracks drought by using 4 indicators:

• rainfall
• soil water
• plant growth
• rainfall trends.

The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) brings this information together. It has been designed to detect developing drought conditions. It provides early warning of drought.

Farm Tracker app

Farm Tracker is a free tool that helps you monitor seasonal conditions on your property. It allows you to:

• record conditions
• complete a simple crop, pasture or animal survey
• review other relevant resources, including the NSW Combined Drought Indicator map and the NSW State Seasonal Update.

Find out more about the Farm Tracker app.