DROUGHT-hit farmers in NSW can now apply for an increased rebate for installing water infrastructure to supply their animals with emergency water needs, with the federal and State governments signing an agreement to increase funding for the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate.
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"For farmers doing it tough in NSW this agreement means the maximum claimed under this scheme has now risen from $30,000 to $50,000," said federal Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce.
The rebate can cover up to 75 per cent of the cost of purchase, delivery and installation of water infrastructure for emergency animal welfare needs.
NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson said federal support for the program, which the NSW government introduced in North West NSW last November, was welcome.
"Twenty-seven local government areas - and the far west unincorporated area - are now eligible for emergency assistance in NSW, which includes the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate," she said.
With drought conditions expanding across the State despite recent rain, the NSW drought support package was extended last week to include four more regions within the existing budget.
The Liverpool Plains, Gloucester, Oberon and mid-western local government areas (LGAs) are now included in the NSW government's support package.
The measures will be backdated to February 1, 2014, and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said despite widespread rainfall since then, many farmers still needed help.
The increased rebate can be used for the purchase and installation of water infrastructure including pipes, tanks, bores, troughs, pumps and delivery and installation costs.
Farmers who have already received the rebate are now eligible for an additional rebate.
The additional rebate from the Australian government will be automatically paid to all approved applications.
Sale pays off for Premer
THE dry season prompted Ed Simson, "The Plantation", Premer, to sell his 137 Poll Hereford steers at the annual Powerhouse Liveweight Weaner Sale at Gunnedah for the first time last week, and the decision has paid off.
His steers sold to a top of 216 cents a kilogram for a per head average of $442.
"We've retained the heifers to breed from and the ones which don't make it, we'll sell on the regular prime market," he said.
Mr Simson (pictured with his son Tom) would usually plant oats on his 5500-hectare property and wean calves on the crop by the end of April, until they reach the 500kg mark by October or November, when they're sold.
"Normally we fatten them on crop and put them into the trade market over-the-hook, but this year, because of the dry start, we didn't get the oats in," Mr Simson said.
As a first-time weaner vendor, he was apprehensive about the sale until the rain arrived.
"I thought, after last week, the decision to sell could be bad and not work out, then it started to rain and I knew it'd kick in."
RUTH CASKEY
To apply for the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, (02) 6391 3000.
