The Department of Primary Industries estimates 28.6 per cent of the region is officially in drought.

Farmers in Junee, Illabo, and Eurongilly, however, exists within the 70.6 per cent of ‘drought affected’ areas.

Winter met the Bureau of Meteorology’s drier-than-average expectations with only 17.8 millimetres falling in July.

By comparison, Wagga saw 40.2 millimetres, which is still far from previous years.

Crop and stock farmer John Higginson managed to keep his business operational during the Millennium Drought between 2001 and 2009.

He is confident that a smart approach to agriculture will pull the community through once again.

“A lot farmers are focusing on just cropping which is sort of putting your eggs in one basket. That mix is what you need, because right now stock prices are unbelievable.”

Junee typically experiences its highest rainfall over winter, so this year’s low falls does not bode well for the rest of the year.

“If we don’t get a descent spring, we’ll go through to next autumn before we see much rain at all,” he said.

Personally I’m not concerned for this season, I have the grain to feed through it. Next year is concerning but worrying about it won’t bring the rain.

“We’re probably yet to see the worse of it though, now that we’re heading into spring and we haven’t had a lot of rain there’s just so little ground moisture.”

Mr Higginson echoed much of the rural community in welcoming the state government’s announcement to double its Emergency Drought Relief Package to $500 million.

Additionally, the Drought Transport Subsidies will cover up to half the cost freighting, with the option to backdate those costs to January 1.

“It’s about time, that should have been done three months. Farmers need all the help they can get to manage adverse situations.”