Farmers have been gearing up for what's forecast to be an absolutely brutal Summer.
It's expected to be hot, dry and savage for the people who supply our country, and others, with loads of produce and materials.
While the Aussie government has thrown their support behind farmers, pledging $100 million in a recent funding package, they're being told by some MPs that sometimes it's easier to stop than keep going.
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The former Nationals leader and New England MP, Barnaby Joyce, has told Sky News that some farmers should shut up shop now rather than endure through poverty.
"People who have not made a profit in the last ten years really need to seriously think, 'what are you doing with your life? What are you doing on the land?'" Mr Joyce said.
"We've got to support you in the drought but if your place is just not viable, $36,000 just isn't going to make a difference and people have to answer their own question in their own mind if this the job in their life for them.
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"We don't want to keep people in perpetual poverty."
Mr Joyce's comments come after 200 farmers in Queensland were taken off the annual farm allowance because they weren't able to make any money.
He says the allowance is there to help farmers tide over until hopefully the next harvest and shouldn't be relied upon to live off.
The Opposition has been scathing over Mr Joyce's assertion that the farmers should just pack up and leave.
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Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon told The Australian: "Farmers everywhere today will be just shaking their heads and feeling bewildered over Barnaby Joyce's remarks.
"This is a guy who once claimed to be their champion but he has deserted them in their hour of need.
"Withdrawing the modest Farm Household Allowance from drought-devastated farmers must surely be the greatest act of bastardry by a government in the history of the Australian Federation."
The Bureau of Meteorology has released its forecast for the upcoming Summer and it's not pretty.
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From now until at least April next year, we're going to be at risk of more bushfires and heatwaves than normal. The latter will obviously impact farmers to no end, who will have to wake up at the crack of dawn and get most of their work done before the scorching sun bares down on them.
No doubt, these comments from Mr Joyce will not be received well in the community.
Featured Image Credit: Apple and Pear Australia Ltd/Creative CommonsTopics: News, Australia, politics