A severe drought is gripping farming communities, creating an "unprecedented crisis".
After a tough spring and virtually no rain over summer, the drought in south-west Victoria has pushed farmers to the edge, and fast.
"We've got a real fodder crisis at the moment that I don't think Australia has ever experienced before," Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said.
For farmers on the ground, the reality is stark.
"All of our own fodder was exhausted four to six weeks ago," cattle farmer James Knight told A Current Affair.
With 1350 pregnant females and 1250 young stock to feed, Knight says he may have to sell his cows.
"We're definitely not going to be okay," he told A Current Affair.
Finding feed, let alone affording it, has become a monumental challenge for farmers.
"We buy it off a fella that delivers it as well, and at the moment he can't source any for us," farmer Bernie Free said.
Farmers are being forced into tough decisions, including selling off livestock.
Free anticipates he'll have to "offload another 50 in the next two to three weeks."
The flow on is that beef may get more expensive for the consumer.
A Current Affair has reached out to the Victorian government for comment.
Source - https://9now.nine.com.au
