I'm in the Great Southern wheat-belt of Western Australia on a cropping and sheep farm. I also have the same feeling regarding the lack of rain and yes....especially the spring weather this year, very odd. I reckon also we are heading for a long, hot summer. We grow our own veggies and have free range chooks for eggs.... starting now to mulch all the growing beds plus erect structures to attach shade cloth to hopefully help against the scorching sun. Also thickening the walls of the chook house with bales of straw plus sprinklers on the chook house roof.
Thanks for your feelings towards us country folks and I will PM one of you for help if I need it.