The Long Paddock - Drought Documentation Australia

While moving his cattle down 'the long paddock', David Taylor takes his cattle to drink at the Willanthry Weir, a tributary of the Darling River. 'The long paddock' is a colloquial phrase used by cattle drivers to describe the area along highways where they push their cattle in search of food during times of drought. As condensation forms along roads during colder night temperatures, the run-off onto the sides of the roads promotes grass growth and the network of country roads become good feeding routes. Drought is severely affecting farmers and graziers in Australia. The situation is dire for those relying on the Murray-Darling River system. This once majestic river system occupies and supports four of Australia’s several states and in places has been reduced to a mere trickle. Graziers already facing economic hardships are being forced to re-evaluate stock numbers, prompting large livestock sales throughout the country.