Slight easing in drought figures across the State this month will be welcomed by farmers and rural communities.

September rains in some areas have resulted in the area of NSW drought declared falling by 2.4 per cent to 69.2pc.

Another 16.8pc is marginal, with only 14pc satisfactory.

And while we have a long way to go before conditions are satisfactory across the board, at least this is a small improvement on the past few months.

Most of the State had at least average rainfall in September, but so far in October it has been relatively dry.

September rain provided a lifeline for many winter cereal crops and pastures that were struggling to survive.

In the north of the State the harvest of the winter grain crop is about to get underway.

In the central and southern areas more rain is still needed to lock in current yield estimates of a State wide 5.8 million tonne wheat crop.

Parts of the Hunter, Maitland, Northern New England and Tamworth Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) are enjoying improved conditions and have moved from marginal status to satisfactory, however, the situation in the south remains dire.

The NSW Government has committed more than $400 million to drought assistance and will continue to stand by our rural communities.

This funding includes supporting the hard work of the DPI drought support workers team, which continues to co-ordinate stress relief and information activities across the State.

In this financial year alone there have been 130 workshops and events held in NSW.

They attracted 6849 farm family and community members.

Since the beginning of the current drought, 2222 events have been co-ordinated by the DPI, with more than 119,308 people attending.
These activities play a key role in supporting rural communities.

The gatherings give families a chance to take a break from the hard work and stress and come together with neighbours, friends and colleagues for a free social outing.

More information: Drought maps and drought assistance eligibility

Report locusts

A growing number of reports have been received from farmers in recent weeks of locusts on their properties.

It is crucial that farmers remain extremely vigilant and report any signs of hatchings or locust movements to their local Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB), so that necessary action can be taken.

Some of the hardest hit drought areas in the State are now facing plagues of locusts, with DPI conducting aerial surveillance in many areas in the south to spot bands from the air.

Hundreds of landholders are working with their local RLPBs to treat the banding locusts before they take to the wing.

The locust response continues to operate as a team effort between NSW DPI, the Australian Plague Locust Commission, NSW Farmers Association and the Rural Lands Protection Boards.

More informatuion: Plague locust