Dry conditions in the state's north have forced producers to do more with less, in a bid to keep their operations afloat.
Steve and Robyn Johnston, Oakhurst, Deepwater, have experienced "extremely tough" drought conditions since February. Summer and winter crops failed, while creek and dam water is at 25 per cent and of deteriorating quality.
"We had a break in May and up to that time we were desperate but it wasn't enough," Mr Johnston said.
Across the district, rainfall reached less than a quarter of the average 800mm, and after feeding through winter, producers like the Johnstons made tough decisions.
"We learned in 2019 to prepare for the next drought," Mr Johnston said.
"The earlier you make decisions, the better. We looked at all the options."
They dispersed their Oakhurst Border Leicester stud ewes, established in 2007 with Campaspe River blood, but maintained their Merino flock. A further 100 pregnancy-tested-in-calf Angus cows were sold to buyers in Victoria and South Australia.
The pair invested in infrastructure to hold feed, and exclusion fencing to reduce pest pressure. Confining this year's calves, the Johnstons have enough to see their weaners through to sale.
"The cost of feeding them is $2.30 a day per head but are likely to put on only 0.25kg a day, according to Local Land Services advice, which isn't viable, so they're going to market in a fortnight's time," said Mr Johnston.
"It's been a battle all along but we're in a good position now. We've invested in our asset with hay sheds and machinery and we're debt-free. We're not complaining."
Near Inverell, the Vivers family managed to catch 40 millimetres in the gauge after a recent storm, but Eunice Vivers said much more widespread rain was needed.
"We need a lot more and we really need some good soaking rain just to give everyone a bit of confidence and put a bit of moisture under, not just on top of the ground, but have it soaking right in."
They have received 130 millimetres of rain for the year-to-date, compared with 750 millimetres for 2025.
While the cows and calves maintained their weight and health, Ms Vivers said they would have to cull older cows, and make the best of failed crops and other opportunities for feed.
"The best thing we did in 2019 was buy one big feed wagon so everything gets mixed and chopped," she said.
"There's less waste, it's got the molasses through it and the cattle seem to lick up every last little drop."
Armidale agronomist Matt Foster, GrazAg, said spring was a critical time for the New England with 75pc of bulk feed grown this time of year.
"I have been to both sides of the Tablelands and Kingstown and Bundarra are very grim, they've already had 30 degrees, which is almost unheard of for spring there," he said.
"Armidale and Uralla are on a knife's edge, if we got 50 millimetres we would be right but if we don't get rain for two to three weeks we'll be shot to pieces.
"For the eastern side, the freshest area is Wollombi. They're still not too bad and by the time you get to Ebor and Dorrigo you wouldn't see a better season."
Without significant falls in the gauge, Mr Foster said water remained the biggest concern.
"We are coming into our major thunderstorm season so if we don't get decent run-off rain there will be a lot of evaporation and a lot of the dams around the New England would be 50pc or less in capacity," he said.
"The only saving grace is a lot of the springs have opened up, which usually means a change or break in the pattern is not far away.
"I'm hoping against all hope things change and thunderstorms will start to roll in."
Drought not "officially" recognised
At Wellingrove, Andrew and Tamara Stewart reduced their herd to 100 Angus breeders running on about 800 hectares of leased country, where trees died and creeks stopped flowing.
The 80-year-old owner of that country has never seen a drought as bad.
"This is way worse than 2019," Mr Stewart said.
The family relies on Mr Stewart's earthmoving enterprise to make money in drought, cleaning out dams and grading firebreaks.
Their herd has been given purchased hay and vetch, along with donated drought relief from Need For Feed.
"What makes this frustrating is that our area is not officially recognised as being in drought," Mrs Stewart said.
"That's because it is in such a narrow strip."
Consistent easterly winds since the start of the year had lost their moisture before reaching the topmost dividing range, and left western country in a rain shadow.
"We're relying on the grader and bulldozer to pay for feed," Mr Stewart said.
"There's no time for anything else because it's all about non-stop feeding.
"We'll hang in there until it rains, then half of our workload will disappear."
'Dire' situation at Qld border
The situation is also dire north to the Queensland border, and especially so to the west, where producers in the Ashford district in May called on NSW Drought Commissioner Ray Willis to call for government support to affected farmers.
At Bonshaw, licensed irrigators Tim and Michelle Ramsay managed a good crop of cotton under pivot through drought earlier in the year, and ahead of summer used carry-over water to grow feed corn to progress their first-cross Wagyu/Angus cattle.
Their own cotton seed is fed out as a supplement for the cattle while some steers have been sold and others are on agistment.
"We are looking for silage contracts for the shortest season option for irrigation and we're hopeful for a few storms maybe come November," Mrs Ramsay said.
"We just have to do the numbers on the highest value use of water."
