LARGE parts of the Snowy Valleys, including Tumut, Batlow, Adelong and Tumbarumba are in drought according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Drought Indicator Map.
The Drought Indicator Map is an interactive online tool that provides a snapshot of current seasonal conditions for NSW.
While on in the ground in Tumut and surrounds the grass is still reasonably green, the Upper Murray is getting the brunt of the dry weather.
Farmer Richard Triggs of Maragle said the conditions are the worst he’s ever seen.
He said even though there’s been some rain about, the high temperatures have dried it straight off.
The Drought Indicator Map tool is based on the NSW Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) which tracks the onset, duration and retreat of large drought events.
It is only one source of information that is needed to understand drought and inform Government and Industry about seasonal conditions.
The CDI is not used to determine eligibility for drought assistance measures offered by the NSW Government.
According to the CDI a ‘drought’ classification is typically characterised by stock water in decline, and ground cover minimal.
The category is one below the highest, being ‘intense drought.’
Tumut and surrounds have been wavering between ‘drought affected’ and ‘drought’ status since 28 March 2024.
Tumut was reclassified to ‘drought’ most recently on 8 April, 2025.
Local areas in drought according to the map include Tumut, Adelong, Gilmore, Talbingo, Wyangle, Brungle, Killimicat, Wondalga, Jounama, Batlow, Nimbo, Gadara, Ellerslie, Minjary, Wereboldera, Yellowin, Jibeen, Tumbarumba, Courabyra, Yarrangobilly, Geehi, Hume, Indi, Yougal, Khancoban, Lea, Bringenbrong, Greg Greg, Welumba, Jagumba, Welaregang, Tooma, Maragle, Nurenmerenmong, Selwyn, Burra, Beaumont, Batlow, Tabletop, King, Mate, Craven, Bago, Goldspink, Manjar and Buddong.
Since 2013 the NSW Government has not officially declared regions in drought.
A NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) spokesperson said “this is part of the NSW Governments commitment to the National Drought Agreement and is consistent with the approach taken in most other states and territories.
“NSW DPIRD actively monitors seasonal conditions across the state to ensure that there are high levels of awareness about climate risk to agriculture like drought,” they said.
This highlights that the Snowy Valleys along with other areas of the Riverina have been ‘Drought Affected’ for more than six months.”
Tumut agronomist Nathan Ferguson said farmers in the region are concerned, but not panicking.
“They are selling their dry (non-pregnant) livestock; anything of saleable weight, but at this stage they are not cutting into their herds,” he said.
Mr Ferguson said he recorded 3mm or rain in April when the average is closer to 50mm.
“I recorded 38mm in March when the average is closer to 60mm,” he said.
He said the situation was reminiscent of the late 2000s in the region.
“If it doesn’t rain in May it’s going to be a tough winter,” he said.
