<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Drought-stricken farmers in South Australia will receive extra deliveries of much-needed hay as part of a $1 million pledge from the state government.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the state opposition says the money comes from an existing funding pool, and that more support is needed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The announcement comes as many regions continue to experience severe drought conditions.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nab-customers-selfie-to-confirm-identity-banking-app/5d5e9718-089b-41d3-88f0-51fa566ea5aa"><strong><span>One of Australia's biggest banks will soon ask customers for a selfie</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Maitland family, which has farmed in the Clare Valley for five generations, has experienced firsthand the severity of the recent dry spell. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jim Maitland is one of 3000 producers who have accessed infrastructure grants as part of the government's drought relief efforts. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We had received 50mm of rain total (between January and July this year), which is the driest six months since our records in 1887," he said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/drought-support-package-south-australia/8dd68a40-528b-4fa2-aff3-7deeda6f845a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He plans to utilise the grant to construct a water tank and improve drought resilience on his property.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are making our farmers in South Australia more drought resistant, not just now but into the future," Premier Peter Malinauskas said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The $1 million plan is intended to assist eligible farmers with the cost of transporting hay.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-presentence-hearing-mushroom-murder-victims-tell-court-of-their-pain/009808fc-df65-476d-8ec5-e91ec07c7519"><strong><span>'Unimaginable horror': Families of mushroom murder victims tell court of their pain</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> However, the opposition has questioned the source of the funding, highlighting that it is drawn from a pre-existing drought support package. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Last time I did my maths, there was a $73 million drought support package for our drought-affected farmers," opposition spokesman Tim Whetstone said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Today, there is still a $73 million drought support package." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The opposition is calling for the introduction of no-interest loans for affected producers "so that they can afford the fodder so that they can afford all the inputs into planting a crop, making sure that they can put diesel into their tractor".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While some regions have seen improved conditions, other areas continue to struggle. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We particularly think of the Mallee as an area that still continues to do it tough, particularly tough, so we're crossing our fingers that we see a bit more rain this week," Malinauskas said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government has indicated that further funding announcements are possible should the drought persist.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>