PIRSA Support | Funding & resources for primary producers

Drought preparation and resilience

Drought is a recurring feature of the Australian landscape – a cycle in which we are either preparing for drought, in drought, or recovering from drought.

See our resources to help you manage farm business, livestock, crops, and soil in preparation for, or during times of drought, to minimise losses.

• Managing drought - Get advice for farm management in dry conditions, including feeding livestock and maintaining your land.
• Funding and support - Find out about funding opportunities and services to support primary producers.
• Future Drought Fund programs - Find out about the Future Drought Fund and the programs coordinated by PIRSA.
• Government roles - Find out about the roles of the Australian and State Governments in managing drought.
• Caring for livestock in heatwaves - You can reduce risks for sheep, cattle, and poultry before a heatwave hits. Follow our daily routine to keep them safe in the heat.

In line with the National Drought Agreement, Australian, state and territory governments do not make formal drought declarations.

It is agreed that drought, disaster and rural support should be provided based on need – providing a simpler, fairer and more proactive approach.

This means that drought no longer needs to be declared in a region for farmers to be eligible for assistance. Farmers can take action for themselves when they need it.

Drought support

The State Government is investing $18 million to support farmers affected by drought in SA.

The package has been informed by drought roundtables held across the state and by the SA Drought Advisory Group, with representation from primary industries as well as federal, state, and local government.

The package includes:

• $5 million for on-farm drought infrastructure grants
• $2 million to assist charities with freight costs to transport donated fodder to assist farmers with feeding livestock – charities wishing to apply for the SA Drought Donated Fodder Transport Assistance Schemeshould contact drought@sa.gov.au or call our Recovery Hotline
• $100,000 for grants of up to $5,000 for events that connect communities
• $4.4 million budget commitment plus an extra $1 million for additional health and wellbeing support through Family and Business (FaB) Mentors and Rural Financial Counsellors
• $5.5 million funding provided to the State and Federal Government's Future Drought Fund, which includes ongoing programs to help farmers with farm business resilience planning, climate tools and demonstrating more resilient farming practices.

In addition to drought-specific support, PIRSA delivers a range of regional growth and recovery funding opportunities and support services to primary producers and people based in regional areas.

We promote industry growth and help communities in the aftermath of disaster events, such as bushfires, floods and heavy storms, or drought.

Assistance and advice - There are financial, legal and other support services to help primary producers manage their businesses when times are tough.

Family and Business mentors - Mentors are available in your region to offer advice and connect you with support services to manage your situation.

Volunteer or donate - You can register as a volunteer to help those in need during emergencies, or donate to the recovery funds that manage disaster events.

Mental health and wellbeing - Find one of the many organisations providing free mental health support and wellbeing advice, anytime you need help.

Funding - Check the open funding available for primary producers and regional businesses, including emergency recovery grants.

Donated Fodder Transport Scheme - Charitable organisations can apply for subsidised freight costs of delivering fodder to drought-impacted producers. Register to join, or receive donations for your livestock.

For more information, visit pir.sa.gov.au/funding_and_support or pir.sa.gov.au/drought