That is the key message coming from Farmers Federation President Fiona Simson, a local producer herself who has "destocked to a core herd" in recent months, as farmers all over the state face a second, and in some cases third, winter without crops going in.

"We are approaching Anzac Day and Easter - critical dates farmers have in their minds for sewing broad acre and feed crops, but we need to have good moisture in the ground," she said.

"The people that have been making the best decisions are doing it in a way that is very business like and focussed on what can be, and what can't be achieved.

"That can be an incredibly emotional and difficult decision so it is important that people get supported and assisted in making those decisions wherever they can."

While the Tamworth region saw the best rainfall of the year on Sunday, it still only amounted to between 15-30 mm for the majority of the region.

Mrs Simson believes that we have to look back to at least the 1940s "to see a run of bad seasons like we are having now."

"It hasn't just been the lack of rainfall but also the heat, the relentless heat and winds - it felt like January last week and we are in March," Mrs Simson said.

"Any benefits people got from those late summer storms has just dried up and the fodder died off.

"It is a really dire time which is why people have to try and make those difficult but sensible decisions, but they need to be supported and assisted."

Cattle numbers in the region are already estimated to be below 30 per cent as more producers continue to shed numbers for winter, and in doing so also shed valued genetic lines, which will be missed once the drought breaks.

"Farmers don't need to be making these tough decisions on their own - they do need to keep talking to bank managers, financial advisors, and any other support they can find," Mrs Simson said.