Hunter Local Land Services is joining with Hunter New England Health in urging Hunter producers and their families, to take stock of more than just their land and animals, as the drought continues to impact our region.
With heavy frosts, cold winds and dry weather hitting the region in recent weeks, winter has really bitten hard. We understand it can take an emotional toll on producers trying to feed and maintain stock and want to help connect our community with local support services.
"Unfortunately nearly 100 per cent of our region remains impacted by drought, with winter conditions impacting remaining crops in the Upper Hunter and worsening feed gap issues in the east of the region around Gloucester and the Upper Manning," said General Manager Brett Miners.
"We understand the pressure many producers are under as they try to handfeed and meet energy requirements of their stock, especially those beginning calving or lambing or lactating.
"It is important to ensure you have a long term view when it comes to feed and water budgeting and you are testing feed to ensure its quality, and where possible selling excess stock to ease the workload and pressure on yourself and property."
Out of the paddock the ongoing tough conditions are also being felt across the community.
"We know the drought is affecting local families, their farms and also local businesses," said Brett.
"We are seeing these impacts in our producers and we are encouraging them and their families to reach out for help, and also to check on neighbours or others in our farming communities who might be struggling.
"We don't know when it is going to rain, and sadly we can't make it rain, but we can look out for each other and work together to ease the burden wherever we can."
Hunter New England Health has advised it is important to keep an eye on your own health as well as your livestock's.
This drought is unfortunately now in its third year here in the Hunter and we understand the impact across the region is widespread, and nowhere more so than in the homes of our farming families, and businesses that support our rural communities.
If you are feeling like you need to talk to someone, or the impacts are making you feel low or depressed, reach out to your local GP.
Just having a conversation with your family or local doctor is a great start, there are many support services out there we can connect you to.
Hunter New England Health District has established a Drought Support Team who provide mental health and emotional support for farmers, farming families, local businesses and services who have been affected by the drought. The support program is flexible and can offer short conversations and information through to ongoing formal counselling. A member of the Drought Support team can visit your farm, home or place of work, or can arrange to meet you any other place when confidentiality can be guaranteed. To access the service call 0477 322 851.
If it's too hard to talk, you can text the Virtual Psychologist. The Virtual Psychologist offers a Text service that you can use from anywhere. You will be connected with a qualified mental health professional and you can make an appointment to text with the same counsellor again at a day/time convenient to you. Text 0488 807 266.
There are some really good resources online too – visit the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program for contacts for support services, tools and tips and local programs and projects across New South Wales at https://www.ramhp.com.au/
