When drought hits, irrigation farms are less affected than other enterprises, and may even find market opportunities, especially with livestock.

Like all farmers, however, irrigators need to prepare and use a number of strategies to lessen the impacts of drought.

Preparing for drought

• Identify limits to systems and management and investigate crop options by preparing an irrigation and drainage management plan (see guidelines on preparing an IDMP).
  
• Prepare a risk management strategy for reductions in water availability.
  
• Maintain soil structure to allow the full root zone to be exploited.
  
• Retain groundcover for erosion protection and to provide mulch.
  
• Seek advice on technical matters, financial matters, and sources of assistance.

During drought

• Determine likely water availability and prepare a crop water budget.
• Determine irrigation priorities and uses for sacrificed crops.
• Develop an irrigation schedule to ensure survival of fruit trees and vines.
• Monitor water usage and schedule irrigations to meet crop water requirements and use available water most effectively.
• Monitor the water levels in bores and rivers.
• Assess opportunities for fodder sales, providing agistment, or buying and fattening stock.
• Use fewer cultivations and retain groundcover for protection from possible wind erosion.
• Reassess crop planting plans.
• Consider purchase of additional water, if available.
• Seek advice on technical matters.

After the drought

• Reassess your IDMP.
• Assess the market prospects of various crops and enterprises.
• Determine when water will be available again.
• Assess options for planting crops with or without assured water supply.
• Watch out for weeds introduced by stock and bought-in fodder.