Large parts of southern Australia are enduring a horror run of dry conditions — the driest on record in some parts.
Some drought-stricken farmers are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on hay and grain, and selling livestock they cannot afford to keep.
Rainfall data shows many parts of southern Australia have received close to or even their lowest totals on record in the past 18 months.
The South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian governments have all announced varying drought support schemes. South Australian drought support now totals $73 million, Victoria has a $13.5 million package and Tasmania has a $4.8 million scheme.