New South Wales Farmers Battle Crippling Drought

An aerial view of a cattle feeding operation on the property 'Toorawandi' near Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia on 19 June, 2018. The farm is run by Ambrose Doolan and his wife Lisa. The name of the property translates to 'rows of standing stones', an apt description of the bare dirt and stones that stretch as far as the can see as a result of the current record drought in the region. In the Central Western region of New South Wales, Australia, farmers continue to battle a crippling drought which many locals are calling the worst since 1902. In Warrumbungle Shire, where sharp peaks fall away to once fertile farmland the small town of Coonabarabran is running out of water. The town dam down to 23% capacity, with residents living with level six water restrictions. The New South Wales State government recently approved an emergency drought relief package of A$600m, of which at least A$250m is allocated for low interest loans to assist eligible farm businesses to recover. The package has been welcomed, though in the words of a local farmer "it barely touches the sides". Now with the prospect of a dry El-Nino weather pattern hitting the state in Spring, the longer term outlook is dire. (Footage By Brook Mitchell / Getty Images)