Farmers across parts of SA are struggling to keep livestock watered as dams run dry.
Producers in traditionally reliable rainfall areas are having water delivered at great cost, or selling off livestock.
The autumn outlook for SA predicts warm conditions, but no guarantee of decent rain.
South Australia’s farmers are increasingly worried about water supplies for their livestock, as drought conditions cause dams to dry up across the state.
Much of the state has experienced a record-dry year, with emergency measures put in place in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu this week to assist properties not connected to mains water.
One of Keith Bolto’s dams on Kangaroo Island which has run dry. (Supplied: Keith Bolto)
“They tend not to have such large dams that have longer holding capacities … so the deeper the drought gets, those water infrastructure points don’t hold up,” Mr Tobin said.
“They’re not prepared usually for long sustained dry periods, because that’s not what’s experienced in those parts of the state.”
Water deliveries extra cost
Mr Tobin said water deliveries were a cost many farmers could not afford after months of buying livestock feed.
“If they’ve reached a point where they’re having to buy in water, they’ll be having to make some difficult decisions as to whether they hold on to those stock and provide all the feed and water requirements for those animals, or whether they consider selling those animals off,” he said.
“[What] makes that decision even more difficult is you’re selling an animal that’s not going to be in prime condition, so it won’t meet top of the market price.”
Parts of SA experienced some of the lowest rainfall on record in 2024. (Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology)
Kangaroo Island dams running dry
Kangaroo Island wool and prime lamb producer Keith Bolto is down to his last two remaining dams.
“It’s the driest our dams have ever been, and my family’s been farming here since the 1950s,”
Mr Bolto said.
“We’re lucky at this stage that we’ve been able to find some soaks and find some moderate quality water to avoid the significant costs associated with carting water.”
Mr Bolto had explored connecting his property to mains water via the new Penneshaw desalination plant as a backup water source.
“We’re talking tens of millions of dollars for pipeline, so it’s not feasible,” he said.
“It’s a matter of doing the best we can, but … it would be really good to have access to mains water to help us through these types of years.”
Kangaroo Island water carrier John Barrett has two water trucks making up to five deliveries a day.
Mr Barrett says people are desperate for water. (Supplied: John Barrett)
“My list doesn’t really get any smaller — I just keep pushing them through, trying to get on top of it,” Mr Barrett said.
“The water is starting to get quite desperate down here, I think.
“There are a lot of people that have moved a lot of stock on because they could see that they weren’t going to have enough water.
“Dams are running out, so they’re buying tanks and putting water in tanks and troughs, trying to keep the stock going.”
More help needed for farmers
In November last year, the South Australian government announced an assistance program which allowed farmers to access up to $5,000 for support infrastructure costs in dealing with the drought.
If the package was to be renewed, Mr Tobin said the government should consider increasing the level of support farmers would need to upgrade water infrastructure and other drought responses
“I think in any renewed [drought] package, the government does need to consider — what is the right amount to help people?”
Mr Tobin said.
“On KI [Kangaroo Island], for example, if you need to deepen dams while they’re empty, or if you need to put in alternate water arrangements … those things are going to probably need more assistance than $5,000.”
Despite these challenges, Mr Bolto said it was important to put the season in perspective.
“I’m pretty reluctant to talk down the game because sheep farming’s been very good to us — and it will be in the future” he said.
“But I’m finding conditions pretty tough mentally, and I know there’s a lot of other people out there on the island, particularly in the drier areas suffering from lack of income from wool and sheep prices.
“It’s not to be underestimated and we should make sure we look out for our mates.”
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