Drought Impacts Farmers in South West Australia

The ongoing drought in South West Australia has taken a significant toll on local farmers, including Lori Pensini, who operates a property in Boyup Brook. This summer has been recorded as the driest on record for parts of the region, which is typically known for its stable rainfall.

"This is the land of milk and honey. It always rains down here," Pensini said. "When the drought came through, we had some really, really challenging times." The drought has led to dried-up dams and halted underground springs, forcing farmers to confront unexpected hardships.

Pensini, who is both an artist and grazier, found inspiration in her struggles and created an award-winning painting titled "Bare Earth." The artwork reflects the impact of drought and the resilience of her community. At the center of the piece is her friend Kirsten, who is depicted holding an orphaned lamb, one of the few animals she managed to save during a time when feed and water were scarce.

"It kind of went beyond just that idea of one animal and one person nurturing it," Pensini explained. "It's sort of this symbol of nurturing the planet and nurturing the landscape."

Having moved from the Pilbara region over 20 years ago, Pensini is no stranger to drought. She initially believed that the South West would be less affected. "We were challenged with running out of feed and running out of water," she said. "Every day we got up and it was a challenge to keep the water up. A lot of the farmers around here, a lot of my friends, had animals that were dying, the landscape was dying, everything was suffering."

Warren Pensini, Lori's husband and operator of Blackwood Valley Beef, noted that the season tested their experience and preparedness. "It was a six-month period where we virtually received no rain at all," he said.

In response to the ongoing drought, the couple has accelerated their efforts in landscape rehydration. They have planted nearly 40,000 trees, built contour banks, and introduced more perennial pastures to enhance water retention. "Through that drought period, we had planted those trees and we had a 90 to 95 percent survival rate. So it was pretty incredible how they survived," Warren Pensini said.

He emphasized the resilience of the land, stating, "If you give it half a chance, it will respond." Lori Pensini hopes her painting will resonate with those who do not live on the land. "If we heal country, then we ourselves are healed," she said.

The Pensinis' experiences highlight the challenges faced by farmers in the region and their ongoing efforts to adapt to the changing climate.