Gippsland primary producers are being urged to use current steady seasonal conditions to fortify their businesses against future dry spells, with a leading agricultural expert warning that true preparedness cannot be bought in a crisis.
Rod Hayes, senior manager of resilience and innovation, said that while many local producers are currently experiencing reasonable seasons and steady markets, rising input costs across fuel, fertiliser, finance, labor and machinery mean that assessing system vulnerabilities now is critical.
“There’s an old saying in farming: you don’t build the shed in the storm,” Mr. Hayes said.
“The same is true for drought resilience — it isn’t something you can purchase overnight when the season turns. It’s built slowly, deliberately, and often quietly, in the decisions made when things are steady.”
Mr Hayes pointed to the “green drought” of 2018–19 as a stark reminder of how deceptively a dry spell can take hold across the region.
“Many of us still remember paddocks that looked fine from the highway while underneath, moisture and feed disappeared fast,” he said.
“The lesson holds: drought doesn’t always arrive looking like dust and bare ground. Sometimes it shows up disguised as ‘not too bad.'”
According to Mr Hayes, resilience takes many forms depending on the enterprise. For some businesses, it involves physical infrastructure like reliable reticulated stock water systems, trough upgrades, containment feeding setups, or increased silage and hay storage. For others, it comes down to agronomic readiness, such as having paddocks and equipment primed to move quickly on feed gaps.
Crucially, some of the most effective resilience strategies are invisible, including maintaining cash reserves, reducing debt pressure, and establishing clear operational decision triggers before a situation becomes urgent.
“Do you have a drought plan? Maybe it’s written down. Maybe it’s in a drawer. Maybe it only lives in your head,” Mr Hayes said.
“If you’ve got one, now’s a good time to pull it out and talk it through with your team. If you don’t, now’s a good time to start.”
To help local farmers build preparedness, producers are encouraged to access the “Prepare for Drought – Plan It Out” resource, a practical tool designed to map out priorities and triggers before operational pressure hits.
Additionally, Agriculture Victoria is offering free Technical Support sessions, providing up to three hours of fully funded, one-on-one drought planning with a consultant of a landholder’s choice.
“Preparedness isn’t built in the tough times,” Mr Hayes said.
“It’s built on ordinary days, in steady seasons, through practical decisions made before you need them.”
For more information on drought planning resources or to book a technical support session, contact Agriculture Victoria or visit the Rural Finance website.
