Record-low rainfall and above-average temperature has wrecked Australia’s cropland leaving farmers praying for rain and culling cattle and sheep they can no longer afford to feed.
New South Wales, which just recorded its fifth-driest July on record, has been the hardest hit. About 99 percent of the state — which accounts for a quarter of Australia’s agricultural output by value — is now officially in drought.
Australia’s last winter was the warmest since records began more than a century ago and one of the 10 driest, sapping moisture from the earth.
Here are a few aerial pictures that tell the story.
(Text and images from Reuters)
Farmer Ash Whitney stands in the middle of a dried-up dam in a drought-effected paddock on his property located west of the town of Gunnedah in New South Wales, Australia. "I have been here all my life, and this drought is feeling like it will be around a while," said Whitney.
Farmer Ash Whitney stands on the back of his truck as he throws out hay to his cattle. With grazing pastures turned to dust and feed costly and scarce, the drought is having a major impact on livestock.
Sheep eat grain dropped in a drought-effected paddock on a property located on the outskirts of Tamworth, in New South Wales.
A windmill and solar panels stand next to a dam in a drought-effected paddock located east of the town of Gunnedah, in New South Wales.
Farmer May McKeown feeds her remaining cattle on her drought-effected property located on the outskirts of the town of Walgett, in New South Wales. Farmers have been shipping in hay from growers in the country’s west or the far north to feed their livestock.
A lone tree stands near a water trough in a drought-effected paddock on the outskirts of town of Walgett, in New South Wales.
A road can be seen next to tracks leading to a water tank located in a drought-effected paddock located west of the town of Gunnedah, in New South Wales. Analysts and industry experts worry about how badly conditions have already deteriorated, especially since El Nino weather may be just around the corner.
A dead tree lies in a drought-effected paddock on farmer Tom Wollaston's property located west of the town of Tamworth in New South Wales. Scientists have reported more swathes of forest are dying off, while farmers point to trees that have survived 100 years on their properties but which are now dying before their eyes.