The federal Department of Agriculture has released the results of its ballot, for the Water for Fodder program.
The Water for Fodder program is the result of a $98 million deal, made between the federal and South Australian governments, to supply 100 gigalitres of cheap water for southern Murray Darling Basin irrigators.
The water is to be used to grow pastures and fodder for livestock; the department has revealed it recieved 4185 applications for the water.
Federal Water Resources Minister David Littleproud said the allocation of the first 40GL would be conducted through a ballot, run by an independent consultant.
But Wyuna East dairy farmer Stuart Young said he had issues with the process, which had run for two days, instead of the promised one.
"It would be like winning Tattslotto," Mr Young said.
He had put in an application but hadn't received any notification that it had been accepted.
"They changed the rules, they said it was going to be open for one day, and they left it open for two.
"It hasn't been thought through, very well, and it's not going to be giving people a lot of relief."
Murrabit dairy farmer Andrew Leahy said he also had reservations about the program, although he was pleased the government was doing something.
"The question I'd be asking is what type of people applied for it," Mr Leahy said.
"I know hobby farmers who have applied for it, and I know people who have traded their water out for the year have applied for it.
"How are they going to police it - that's the major question, are the right people going to be getting it?"
But he said he wasn't disappointed with the program, as it might set up a precedent for more water to be released from the environmental pool.
"At least they are doing something," he said.
Craig Steel, Woodlea, Finley, NSW, said he'd been told that 4000 farmers had applied for the 800 parcels of water, being offered.
"It's government assistance for a minority - 3200 people miss out, and get nothing," Mr Steel said on social media.
He said he had applied for the water.
"It might water a 20-hectare paddock once, or it might do two waterings," he said.
"If I get the water, I'll whack in some mixed species, a bit of oats, a bit of cereal rye and a bit of barley."
He said he wouldn't use the water, until autumn, as it would be wasted over summer.
"You could water it once, and the crops would just die," he said.
"But it would give you a bit of feed, in autumn to put before the sheep, and set you up for winter."
Southern Riverina Irrigators chairman Chris Brooks said those who needed the water most would probably have been out in the paddock, instead of sitting on their computers, waiting to apply for it.
"This is what we expected, we knew damned well, it was too little, too late," Mr Brooks said.
He said it was unlikley the water would be delivered, before Christmas and most farmers would not sow crops like oats until April, for November harvest.
"I tell you what, the stock will be hungry by then," he said.
"It's a disaster, it's so typical of the disconnect between the people making these decisions and the people in the bush."
Mr Littleproud said the program would provide up to 120,000 tonnes of fodder for drought-stricken livestock producers.
"Water for Fodder will help farmers feed livestock so they can recover quickly when the drought breaks," Mr Littleproud said.
"It will help farmers keep their herds healthy, so they're not forced to destock."
Farmers were able to apply for up to two 50 megalitre parcels of water for $100/ML, a price heavily discounted with water currently selling on the NSW Murray Above Choke for around $633/ML.
The 100GL total has been split across two water years, 40GL to be delivered by April 2020 and the remaining 60GL to be delivered after July 2020, following an evaluation.
A Department of Agriculture representative said the ballot would be conducted as soon as possible and the successful applicants would then have 30 days to provide further information before the water is released.
Applications for the remaining 60GL will be open next year.
The Department of Agriculture website indicates that audits will be conducted to police the program, including on-farm visits.
They also confirmed the water could not be used to produce fodder as a by-product and the water must be used to grow hay or pasture in the water year it is allocated.