Parched paddocks and failed crops have dominated the headlines for much of North Western NSW this year, but there are some important success stories to be told.
Daryl Hayne has worked hard all of his life to own a block in what he describes as ‘God’s country’, and it’s now paying dividends, even as other farmers in some areas are forced to walk off their land due to increasingly difficult conditions.
His property east of Edgeroi is nestled in between the Newell Highway and the Nandewar ranges, far enough West to boast the rich black soil of the plains and far enough East to collect relatively regular rain events all year round.
An 1800 hectare barley crop heavy with grain and ready for harvest surrounds the farm house on ‘Newacres’, sprawling out in every direction.
Daryl and his wife Jenni feel lucky to have the crop, when so many others are staring down the barrel of a third year of drought.
“I’m just happy to get the result that we’ve got, it was looking a bit ordinary in the early stages,” Daryl said.
“We recently travelled west and there’s nothing at Walgett but bare paddocks, much of the west is the same, and people who have put crops in may not even harvest them, whereas there is potential for an above average crop here.”
This time last year Daryl also had a significant amount of Canola ready for harvest, transforming Newacres into a sea of yellow, but as dry weather closed in on the district this year he decided to steer clear of the thirsty crop and take a safer punt on barley.
After harvest, he will have the luxury of storing grain in silos on his property and waiting for the right price to ensure the best possible return on his investment.
The returns are what many in the agricultural industry are currently struggling to secure.
Diminishing profit margins may be steering some of the younger generation from the land and across to the coast, but Daryl says there are still opportunities in farming for those who persevere.
“I think you can make a life for yourself out here, but it depends where you are, this is God’s own country and it’s a lot safer than areas out west,” he said.
“Even then, it’s taken me 50 years to put together what I have” Daryl added.
