What a difference a year makes!

After battling floods last year, farmers are now concerned that drought is returning to parts of the Western Plains.

With the release of the latest drought indicators last week, only one shire is considered to still be drought-free as the hotter months approach.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have a Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) which is an interactive tool providing a snapshot of current seasonal conditions for NSW.

This factors in rainfall, soil moisture and modelled pasture/crop growth indices. By accounting for the effectiveness of rainfall, the CDI provides a more comprehensive indicator of drought conditions. The CDI defines an area of NSW to be in a drought category if any of these indices fall below 30 per cent when compared to historical records.

While it may sound complicated, in summary, this means conditions are deteriorating and agricultural production is beginning to get tighter. Ground cover may be modest, but growth is moderate to low for the time of year. When indicators are close to the Drought threshold drought conditions are severe.

In the Western Plains, only Lachlan shire is officially untouched by drought, along with parts of Gilgandra, Brewarrina, Bogan, Narromine shires.

The whole of Coonamble, Warren and Warrumbungle shires are now considered drought affected.

 Earlier confirmation by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) that an El Niño weather pattern has formed followed months of low rainfall, causing more farmers to reduce livestock numbers, downgrade crops or increase supplementary feeding of their animals.

Last month, BOM reported Australia's 10th-driest August on record with the nation's monthly rainfall almost 50 per cent below average.

It's not only primary producers who feel the effects of drought.

 In Warrumbungle LGA level one water restrictions were introduced on October 10 for Binnaway, Coonabarabran, Mendooran and Merrygoen.

“The introduction to level one water restrictions is in response to the ongoing dry conditions being experienced across the Shire, in accordance with Council’s Drought Management Plan,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan. “Timor Dam has fallen to 70 per cent capacity, which is the trigger for introduction of water restrictions.”

Mr Doolan said the decision to introduce restrictions has not been taken lightly.

“Council is keen to make timely decisions in relation to water restriction levels as we seek to preserve precious water supplies,” he said. “Our focus is on those towns and villages whose water supply is from the Castlereagh River and Timor Dam, while we will monitor those towns and villages on bore supplies.”

On level 1 water restrictions, residents are asked that watering systems, non-fixed sprinklers, handheld hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses, are only used between 6:00pm till 9:00am daily. Washing of cars is permitted with buckets only and rinsed with trigger hose only, on lawn at any time.

Residents are encouraged to limit their water usage and preserve water wherever possible.