THE Wilkschs at Robertstown are trying to remain positive despite being in the midst of a third bad year.
"Even though it has never been this bad before, it could be worse and there's always someone worse off," Sandy Wilksch said.
Sandy and husband Steve normally crop 800 hectares to 1000ha, depending on the year, and run 4000 sheep.
They have since destocked to 1200 head, with numbers continuing to decrease.
"We have spent more than $100,000 on sheep feed in the past 12 months," Sandy said.
"How far do you destock is the question?
"We are trying not to sell all our stock because it will be too expensive to buy back in when it rains again.
"There will be some harsh decisions made in the next month or so though, for a lot of people."
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The Wilkschs have only received 20 millimetres of rain in 2019, which included 7mm in last week's showers and about 2mm this week.
"Unfortunately both the events amounted to nothing," Sandy said.
"We have had nothing but wind and dust here since this time last year.
"We will need at least 30mm of rain and kind weather to follow before we even consider getting the seeder out."
Last year the couple only put in 160ha of wheat just west of Robertstown for sheep feed, after 125mm of rain in both the previous two seasons, with most falling in the summer months in storms.
The property's average rainfall is normally 300mm at their home place and up to 400mm where they crop.
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Alisha Fogden
Journalist at Australian Community Media newspapers since 2007.
Journalist at Australian Community Media newspapers since 2007.
