NSW Farmers Face Brutal Drought, Mass Cattle Sell-Offs

0:00Farmers in New South Wales are facing a brutal drought, forcing massive cattle sell-offs at sale yards. Just this week, the Scone Yard in the Upper Hunter region held its biggest sale in 20 years, with numbers rivaling a drought peak from two decades. Ago. Statewide, over half a million ahead have gone through the yards already this year, way up from $377,000 at this point last. Feed shortages, sky-high diesel prices, and a forecast for a strong El Nino later this year are pushing producers to act fast. The dry spell hit hard after a wet start to the year, turning off like a faucet by late August. Hot conditions have sucked up any leftover moisture, making it feel like the tough drought from 2016 to 2019 all over again. Stock agents and grazers are making hard choices, offloading young stock to save their core breeding herds. One farmer shared how she sent breeding cows to agesmen in far off spots like watering in Longreach, easing the pressure after months of feeding.

1:02Since October, everyone's feeling the emotional burnout from the last dry spell, but lessons learned have folks acting quicker this time. A silver lining is the rock-solid cattle market right now, unlike past droughts when prices tanked. Other sales are smashing records too. Singleton just hit its biggest in eight years, and doubles eyeing in all time high soon. Global tensions from the Middle East are adding fuel to the fire on costs. With winter closing in and no rain in sight, expect the sell-offs to keep rolling as farmers brace for a rough ride ahead. Local news, powered by AI, this is Sydney News Today. I'm Corey, with the story.