Demand for drought support is expected to skyrocket in coming weeks, as seasonal conditions worsen in many areas of the state.
Crops are showing the effects of rainfall well below average and are turning "brown" in some areas, according to agronomists, while more and more graziers are being forced to sell of stock.
According to PIRSA estimates, there are 4200 farming properties in drought-affected areas of SA, with Rural Business Support chief executive officer Brett Smith saying the next two to three weeks would "tell the story" about whether crops would reach their potential.
Having already helped to distribute more than $2 million to drought-hit families in the past 12 months, the SA Country Women's Association is relying on community donations to its Emergency Aid Fund, as well as federal funding.
"We probably have enough funds until perhaps Christmas, then we would seriously need to look at how to run this initiative in the new year," SACWA state treasurer Sharyn Muller said. "But we will have contingency plans."
Neales Flat farmer Andrew Heidrich has called on the state government to help reduce production and household outputs by addressing rising water and electricity prices, emergency services levy and vehicle registration costs.
The federal government has also come under fire this week for not releasing reports from the national drought coordinator Major General Stephen Day and Special Envoy for Drought Barnaby Joyce.
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