Federal ministers to wrap up drought tour

Josh Frydenberg and Drought Minister David Littleproud are set to visit an apple orchard near drought-ravaged Stanthorpe on Friday.

They'll also have breakfast at a local cafe before inspecting the site for the nearby Emu Swamp dam, which could potentially begin construction by the end of the year.

It comes after the pair toured a farm in northern NSW on Thursday, with farming families calling for cash injections to stem the bleeding after four dry years.

Sandy Swan likened the drought to "our" global financial crisis as she made the case for more federal assistance for farmers.

Her husband Ben said it was a crisis situation.

"This has gone from the worst drought in history to the worst drought to a factor of whatever," he said.

Mr Frydenberg said the government would look at its options for further support but stressed the drought tour was about listening rather than doling out more cash afternoon a $100 million announcement last week.

"We don't have all the answers just now," he said.

"What we want to do is continue to provide that support as necessary and as needed."

Mr Littleproud has written to NSW, Victoria and Queensland premiers to defer council rates and payroll taxes in drought-hit areas.

He also wants them to consider energy tariffs for farmers and water support for domestic and irrigation use.

In Stanthorpe, the ministers met with firefighters who battled recent major bushfires in the region as a distant thunderstorm threatened to bring desperately needed rain.

But there was no downfall to give hope to a region battered by a prolonged dry spell some veteran farmers rate as the worst they've seen.

Mr Frydenberg and Mr Littleproud knocked back a beer with locals at a pub before getting a friendly reception from the LNP faithful at the Stanthorpe RSL, deep in conservative heartland.

Australian Associated Press