Drought worsens in Australia*

August 19, 2007 12:05pm
Article from: AAP

MORE than three quarters of NSW is now in the grip of drought, latest
figures show.
The percentage of the state in drought went up last month from 69.9 per
cent to 75.8 per cent.

The area of NSW experiencing marginal drought conditions has increased
from 10.8 per cent to 14.6 per cent since June while the area
experiencing satisfactory conditions plummeted to 9.6 per cent from 19.6
per cent.

Areas that moved back into drought include parts of Armidale, Casino and
Kempsey and the whole of Tweed-Lismore, Condobolin and Coonabarabran, in
the north and north-west of the state.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said farmers needed a
repeat of rains that fell in late June and early July.

"Unfortunately, last month's drop in drought figures has not lasted so
our farmers are pinning their hopes on good rains in a matter of days
not weeks,'' Mr Macdonald said.

"Basically we need rain and we need it now to ensure decent yields are
received from winter crops.''

Mr Macdonald said about two-thirds of NSW received little rainfall in
July with only the southern third getting average rain.

Severe frosts were also reported in some parts of the winter cropping
belt which have contributed to the stress placed on crop growth, he added.

"For crops to achieve reasonable yields, significant rain will be
required across most parts of the grain belt before temperatures rise in
spring,'' he said.

Mr Macdonald said stock condition was being maintained in most areas due
to careful management of numbers and feeding regimes.