FARMERS in the eastern ranges fear an autumn break may not come in time.
The region has been incredibly dry and despite receiving recent rain, is still struggling.
Buchan farmer John Coates received 22 millimetres of rain in six days recently, but following 20 months of dryness, said it wasn’t enough to be considered an autumn break.
“The rain’s definitely trying to green things up but it’s not enough, we need some follow up rain,” Mr Coates said.
“We haven’t had rain in a long time so if you work by the law of averages, something’s got to come soon.If nothing’s happened in a month’s time we’ll have to make some serious decisions.”
‘Buchan Station’ farm manager Richard McAuliffe, Buchan, is optimistic an autumn break will come eventually, but said he fears it may be too late.
“Nothing is on the forecast and all the old-timers tell me it needs to rain by Anzac Day to make a difference,” Mr McAuliffe said.
Also from Buchan, Tammy Woodgate said she is in desperate need of rain.
“If we don’t get a break in the next fortnight it will be too late,” she said.
“The season’s getting too cold and we won’t see any grass growth,” Ms Woodgate said.
Up at Gelantipy, Karoonda Herefords stud principal Paul Sykes said he hoped it came “sooner rather than later, and if it doesn’t we might be in trouble”.
Tina Moon, ‘Tullochard Station’, Gelantipy, said things had been tough.
“If we don’t get some good rain in the next couple of weeks I think we’re buggered,” Ms Moon said.
“It’d have to give us a couple of good inches, it’s getting too cold.”
In Calulu, Sharp Fullgrabe cattle handler Steven Hammond said things hadn’t been as tough on his property as it had been in other areas.
Having only moved to the region six months ago, Mr Hammond said he was unsure when an autumn break typically occured.
“We’re supposed to be getting some more rain in the next couple of days and fortnight, which will be good, but the recent rain has helped, things are looking better,” Mr Hammond said.