The herd of young cows on John Haycock’s property in Yeoval, south of Dubbo, has never seen grass before.
The almost two-year drought gripping New South Wales has left the ground bone dry.
Despite stockpiling livestock fodder to prepare for harsh conditions like these, they’ve run out and the 61-year-old farmer has been forced to buy hay and grain from Victoria - the first time in decades - to sustain his livestock.
He says it has been costing him “a fortune” due to sky-rocketing prices and transport costs.
Source: SBS News
“We drought-proofed ourselves. We thought we made the most grain and hay we ever had on hand, but trouble is when you drought-proof your farm you bare it too by bailing all the hay off your paddocks,” Mr Haycock told SBS News.
His son, Chris, who manages the 2000-acre farm with him, said the cows are becoming ill from increased dirt in their stomachs and the lack of nutrient-rich grass in their diet.
“That’s probably our biggest battle, they need that green and there’s none around and they can only eat so much hay,” the 39-year-old said. 
The entire state of New South Wales is officially in drought.
Farmer John Haycock and his son Chris. Source: Lydia Feng / SBS News
With no significant rainfall forecast in the coming months, many locals believe 'the big dry' won’t break until next year. There are fears it won’t be soon enough to sustain livestock as grain and hay levels run critically low across the country.
“Grain is very hard to source and the price is over double in the last two months, and virtually we can’t find it,” John Haycock said.
Source: SBS News
“People are also ringing us asking, 'How do we buy hay?' and you just say 'we’ve had trouble', we bought a big lot two months ago so we’re lucky, but it’s virtually impossible to buy now.”
He is demanding the government consider importing grain from abroad as a long-term solution.
New South Wales is officially in drought. Source: SBS News
“The ridiculous prices of grain and hay now has gone too far. The government’s got to step in and bring some in from overseas or do something. They just can’t sit back and wait till every cow and sheep die.”
His son agrees it is an appropriate solution, even though it involves reassessing Australia's stringent quarantine regulations.
“If they don’t start looking into that now with quarantine and stuff like that to bring fodder in, it’s going to take time,” Chris Haycock said.
But it’s uncharted waters the government is unlikely to pursue.
A spokesperson for Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said, “Whilst happy to consider all options, importing grain from overseas is difficult as we don’t want to risk Australia’s biosecurity – a key reason we’re such a successful farming nation.”
A few kilometres down the road from the Haycock’s, fourth-generation farmer Philip Hunter produces wool and lamb.
Two years ago the paddocks on the Haycock property in Yeoval, NSW, were lush green. Source: SBS
On his 4000-acre farm, he has been battling to keep his sheep fat enough for market.
He too believes the government needs to seriously consider the prospect of importing grain before it’s too late.
“It should be bought into the country, charged at a fair price to the farmer, and get out there because we are at a critical level now of keeping the core breeding herd of sheep and cattle going.”
For Mr Hunter, it’s about protecting an industry Australia has long been proud of.
“We just need the feed to keep going until it rains, that will be one less pressure on us all if we knew feed security is been looked after.”
