Outback farmers receive good rainfalls

December 2020

Outback farmers are daring to dream of rebuilding their livestock numbers after years of drought.

Rain in September broke records across South Australia’s outback, and while not everyone got the rain they wanted some pastoralists are seeing the benefits with areas turning green again.

Due to the drought, farmers and pastoralists had to sell animals they could no longer feed or pay to agist on greener pastures.

That left some pastoralists with no way to sell animals and make money for their businesses.

However, Holowiliena Station near Hawker in South Australia’s outback recently brought their sheep back from agistment after recent rains meant there was enough food on the ground to support them.

Holowiliena Station pastoralist Frances Frahn described the moment their family got their flock back.

"There have been a few tears shed this week at Holowiliena — tears of happiness as our sheep have come home," she said.

"After four years of severe drought, we’ve had good rain over the past few months.

"The country is looking better — this is the start of a long rebuild and recovery."