## Farmers Face Tough Decisions as Dry Autumn Grips Western Australia
Western Australia's farmers are facing a challenging situation as they experience one of the driest autumns on record. The hot, dry weather has led to soaring feed costs, forcing some farmers to consider culling their herds.
The state government has established a taskforce to assess the situation and provide support to farmers. The taskforce will focus on access to feed and fodder in affected areas, as well as mental health initiatives.
The dry conditions are being felt across the state, with livestock agents reporting diminished supply and increasing costs for farmers from the South West to the Gascoyne. Farmers are struggling to find affordable feed for their animals, and some are being forced to make difficult decisions about culling their herds.
The government has acknowledged the challenges farmers are facing and has provided support in the past. However, some farmers believe that more needs to be done, such as providing subsidies on freight for livestock and fodder.
The taskforce will assess the situation and make recommendations to the government on how to best support farmers during this difficult time. The government has also directed the taskforce to prioritize mental health initiatives, as farmers are facing significant stress due to the dry conditions.