Time running out for NSW winter crops

Time is running out for farmers in NSW, with winter crops threatened by continuing dry weather, the state government says.

April rainfall was very patchy across the state, with coastal areas receiving good falls but inland regions generally not so fortunate, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said on Monday.

"The state's farmers are bracing themselves for another horror autumn, with almost half of NSW now drought declared," Mr Macdonald said in a statement.

Drought figures released by the government show 48.4 per cent of the state is in drought, up from 42.9 per cent last month, with 23.6 per cent marginal and 28 per cent satisfactory.

"Our winter crop may yet again be savaged by this merciless drought as the crucial autumn break has not arrived and time is running out," Mr Macdonald said.

"Our farmers have had an absolute gutful of this drought," he said.

"Many farmers have suffered more than seven years of consecutive drought, failed crops and dwindling water supplies."

The Department of Primary Industries estimates that between five and 15 per cent of the crop has been sown, most of it in dry soil.

"The next two to three weeks are crucial," Mr Macdonald said.

"The bare minimum we need is at least 25-50mm in southern NSW and 50-75mm in northern NSW."

Areas that have slipped back into drought this month include Bourke, Braidwood, Forbes, Goulburn, Molong, the central tablelands and northern New England.