THE prospect of a tough cropping season has farmers banding together later this month to draw strength and ideas from their neighbours.
On July 23, the Ungarra Community Sports Club will play host to a wellbeing day to provide support to those in the region that may feel the effects of a bad season.
Organiser Brenton Stratford, Eyre United Football Club president and Country Fire Service group officer, said local residents were feeling the squeeze with the delay to seeding and need to buy in feed.
“It’s the biggest thing we talk about on a Saturday – how dry is has been,” he said.
“Even though we have had a bit of rain, I still think we need it. It’s a matter of getting everyone together and having a chat.
“We want to keep everyone going.”
Brenton has spoken to local businesses such as banks, accountants, stock firms and machinery dealerships in the lead up to the event.
He said information available on the day would come from rural financial counsellors, mental health practitioners, grain marketers – to discuss options for existing and potential contracts – and a sheep nutritionist.
“This will get people starting early in considering options such as letting bank managers know where they stand,” he said.
There are also plans for a visit from a player from the Adelaide Crows to entertain children on the day.
Brenton said he could see evidence of the tough season on his own farm.
“Up until the latest rain, we only had 12 millimetres since the start of February, and that was spread across months,” he said.
He said the rain across the region had been patchy.
“If an area is under one of the showers, they have done alright and the crops look good,” he said.
“But underneath they might not be that flash.”
He said livestock feed was another big issue, with him expecting two road trains of hay.
Brenton said the wellbeing day was not just an event for farmers, with tough times on farms also effecting the wider community.
“It’s going to flow down the line, there is no doubt about that,” he said.