© David Gray/ReutersSome farmers have been forced to shoot livestock as grazeable land and crops become increasingly scarce
New South Wales officials released figures on Wednesday showing that every part of the state is affected, with almost one-quarter classified as being in "intense drought".
Less than 10 millimetres of rainfall has been recorded in the 800,000-square kilometre state over the past month.
"There isn't a person in the state that isn't hoping to see some rain for our farmers and regional communities," Niall Blair, minister for primary industries, said in a statement.
Dry conditions are expected to continue for the next three months.
Farmers are among the hardest hit by the drought, which is the driest and most widespread in the state since 1965.
Starving livestock
There have been reports of farmers shooting cattle and hand-feeding animals because the ground is too dry for grass to grow.
"They are shooting their stock because they don't want them to suffer. They are shooting them because they just can't afford to feed them any more," Tash Johnston, cofounder of Drought Angels NGO, told AFP news agency.
The government also relaxed restrictions on shooting kangaroos in a bid to help farmers as the animals compete with livestock for grazing land.
"Many farmers are taking livestock off their paddocks, only to then see kangaroos move in a take whatever is left," Blair said.
"If we don't manage this situation, we will start to see tens of thousands of kangaroos starving and suffering, ultimately leading to a major animal welfare crisis".
Agriculture contributes more than US$11bn to the state's economy annually and employs about 77,000 people.
AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
Comment: Farmers around the world are facing an endless torrent of extreme weather, from brutal cold and record breaking rainfall that delay planting, devastating drought that lead to lower yield, or destructive hail and early frost that completely decimate the crop:
- Unprecedented drought in the Korea's kills 29 people, millions of livestock and decimates crops
- Erratic seasons and extreme weather devastating crops around the world
- Floods Everywhere: Europe Battered By Sheets Of Rain, Hail and Thunderstorms
- Hail damage to croplands in South Dakota so immense it can be imaged from space
- Italian farmers predict crop shortage because of heavy rains while El Niño causes Peru's grape exports to drop 11%
- 70% crop losses due to extreme weather in Australia
- Unusually cold winter and spring have Koreans worried about rocketing food costs
As more crops fail the likelihood of food price rises invariably increases. It is always best to be prepared. See also:- Daily habits of prepared people
- Preparedness is the ultimate act of optimism
- Are you prepping your diet?
- A good way to invest your money: Store large amounts of food, like now
- Top threats to your life when the SHTF and how to prepare for them
And do have a listen to the SOTT Talk Radio show that was devoted to this subject:Surviving the End of the World (as we Know it)