CROOKWELL farmer Charles Laverty has seen a lot of rain recently - unfortunately it has been falling off in the distance towards Sydney and the coast. His property, two hours' drive southwest of the city, has remained steadfastly devoid of rain and is now enduring its seventh year of drought. Figures released by the state Government yesterday show the drought-declared portion of the state has fallen from 46 per cent last month to 40 per cent. NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said while there was a long way to go in terms of recovering from the drought, "it is still encouraging to see reports of regular rainfall and see the positive impact it is having".

From his property, Mr Laverty can see the lights of Sydney, "and we can see the storm clouds there", but the rains have gone around his property. "In pre-drought conditions, we would normally shear about 8500 sheep. We are going to shear under 4000 this year," he said. "On the cattle, we would normally run 250 breeders (but) we are back to about 120 breeders." Yesterday Mr Laverty and his father Ian were assessing their steer, or male, calves, planning to sell them early as a drought measure. "They are still on their mums," he said. "They are half the age of what they would normally be sold at, but selling them now, we don't have to carry them through winter."

Summer was dry, and if there are not good rains in autumn, then winter will be hard in country where there are 100 frosts a year. His family, he said with some understatement, has experienced droughts before. "I am very lucky to have my father with me to bounce ideas off, and to have his experience," he said. Their land was settled by Mr Laverty's great-great-great-grandfather in 1841. "My ancestors settled here because it was a very well watered property," he said. "The creek that I live on, Cooks Vale creek ... has continued to run over this drought." The other watercourse on his property, Hills River, also continued to run through this drought. "While they are not large volumes of water, they are still a very significant stock resource," Mr Laverty said.

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries said rainfall shortages continued across much of the state and more than $1million in state funds had been given to farmers. In February, its drought hotline received 214 calls, up from 174 in January. South Australia also provides state drought support services. In Western Australia, farmers in 37 shires of the 143 local government areas are eligible for dry season assistance.

Bron: The Australian