Drought Resilience on Farm

Drought resilience on farm is essential for maintaining productive, sustainable agricultural systems in the face of increasingly variable climate conditions, rising temperatures, reduced rainfall reliability, and more frequent extreme weather events. Building resilience enables farms to better manage water availability, protect natural resources, maintain productivity during dry periods, and adapt to changing environmental pressures over the long term.

By enhancing soil health, protecting water resources, maintaining groundcover, increasing biodiversity, and adopting adaptive land management practices, farms are better equipped to withstand prolonged dry periods, reduce environmental impacts, and recover more effectively when seasonal conditions improve.

Explore the topics below to learn more about some essential areas of preparing for and building resilience during dry times. Each topic includes helpful information, resources and practical steps for landholders.

Explore the topics below to learn more.

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Livestock Water Requirements
Livestock Water Requirements

Water on farm directly influences animal welfare, farm productivity, and overall profitability. Effective farm water planning ensures that sufficient water is available when and where it is needed, while also managing risks associated with supply reliability and water quality.

Livestock Feed Requirements
Livestock Feed Requirements

Understanding livestock feed requirements enables planning for the future to manage stocking rates, protect groundcover, and ensure nutritional needs are met during drought. Effective feeding improves livestock condition, supports productivity, and promotes long-term resilience.

Livestock Containment
Livestock Containment

Effective livestock containment strategies allow landholders to enhance their resilience to drought conditions, protect soils health, promote animal welfare, and contribute to the sustainability of their farming operations.

Mental Health
Mental Health

Mental Health is an essential aspect of drought preparedness and recovery. Taking proactive steps to care for mental health helps strengthen resilience, supports clearer thinking, and improves the ability to navigate and recover from dry times.

Natural Assets on Farm
Natural Assets on Farm

Protecting natural assets like soil, vegetation, and water helps improve drought resilience by conserving moisture, reducing erosion, maintaining land health, and supporting productivity and faster recovery.

This project of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government.