As the drought worsens in the southwest of WA, farmers held an urgent meeting calling for greater support from state and federal government.

More than 300 farmers gathered in Yornup on Wednesday, raising concerns for animal welfare due to the drought-related feed shortage.

Farmers from the region, who are used to cooler and wetter weather conditions, discussed the effects that the six month record-breaking dry spell has had towards their livestock, saying the lack of rain is challenging.

“The issue at the moment is finding enough feed, the whole state is probably going to run out of feed,” Manjimup farmer Gary Ryan told Sky News.

The cost of high quality hay was $150 to $250 a tonne, although due to the lack of rain and feed, the price has since doubled.

The state government announced it will be establishing a 2024 Dry Season Taskforce to help farmers across the region who are struggling with the drought. In a statement to the ABC, Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said farmers’ mental health is important.

“I have asked a taskforce of industry experts to provide me urgent advice on what mechanisms are in place to support farmers through this hard time,” she said.

While urging farmers to seek mental health support, Jarvis suggests alternative options to ease the financial pressure of the lack of feed.

“If they can’t sell animals they do have to sometimes make tough decisions, and that does sometimes include euthanising animals,” she said.

However, WA Farmers President John Hassel told ABC that euthanising livestock is not an option.

According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Southwest of WA are expected to have neutral to below median rainfall for the next three months, with warmer temperatures than normal.

Photo: Drought by Ian Sanderson is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.