Each month I have the unfortunate task of releasing the drought figures for NSW. And each month I keep hoping to see improving conditions.

Unfortunately, rainfall during the month of June helped the State’s cropping industries but had little impact on the drought in general.

Ninety-four per cent of NSW is now officially drought declared – up from 89pc one month ago.

These figures are another stark reminder that our farmers and our regional communities are desperate for rain.

The highest rains throughout June were along the Far North coast, which helped keep that area in the satisfactory zone.

In contrast, the far west border country generally had between 10 and 25 millimetres, with patches of just five to 10 mm on the southwest border.

Farmers were able to sow additional winter cereals, oilseeds and pulses on the back of a seasonal break around June 10 and we now have about 4.6 million hectares of winter crops in the ground.

This is slightly up on the 2005 sowings.

Rainfall over much of the State the second weekend of July gave this year’s winter crops a bit of moisture to see them through the next few weeks, but they fell too late to have any impact on drought figures (which reflect conditions until June 30).

Hopefully, the rain we’ve seen so far in July will have a positive impact on next month’s drought declarations – and on the financial prospects of farmers.

Longer-term we need about 100 to 150 mm in the Central and Southern parts of the State, and about 75 to 100 mm across northern NSW to start turning a corner with this drought.

These levels would help ensure our crops are successful, thereby putting money in farmers’ pockets come the harvest period.

They would also boost pasture growth to support livestock and deliver some relief for the network of dams that support our irrigation industries.

The State Government’s drought support programs remain in place, providing practical, on-the-ground assistance for farming families in need.

So far, the NSW Labor Government has committed over $215 million in drought support measures; but I think we all can agree that the only thing that will give our farmers the long-term security they need is rain – and lots of it.