Ian Shippen, a 42-year-old farmer with spiked hair, is considered a rural prophet in the arid salt plains located 1,000 kilometres west of Sydney. Shippen believes that the drought affecting Australia's food bowl will bring about permanent changes to agriculture in the driest settled continent. He predicts a return to traditional farming methods from 100 years ago, focusing on growing broadacre areas and raising sheep. Shippen shared his thoughts with Reuters at his property near Moulamein, stating that large areas of land will become unproductive, with one sheep needing 5 to 6 acres to graze. He believes that the current drought will have a significant impact on farming practices. Shippen, along with many others, is looking for solutions to overcome the drought and is taking a risk by transitioning away from irrigated cropping. Nine years ago, he cultivated rice on 2,000 acres of previously arid land that had been irrigated with water from the eastern Australian alps, a long drive away. He and his wife, Camilla, who is the daughter of a city doctor, anticipated the shift in conditions as a prolonged dry period began and water prices started to rise, altering the economics of irrigation. Shippen expressed concern about the increasing cost of water, viewing it as a liability rather than an asset. Farmers are selling their water to buy more land, which has resulted in large debts and high interest payments due to the drought affecting their incomes. Shippen, a local councillor, is being closely watched by other farmers for his strategy. Starting with a few thousand acres, he now owns over 180,000 acres and is struggling to keep up with the demands of the bank. Shippen sees opportunity in the midst of drought concerns, acknowledging the nervousness surrounding the upcoming summer and its impact on crops and livestock. He anticipates the potential for cheap farm opportunities for those who can endure the challenges. Shippen notes the competitive nature of farmers and the changing water politics in Australia as governments prioritize conservation in response to climate change. Shippen expresses dismay that due to the current commodities boom and the sale of Australian resources to China, farmers have lost the ability to advocate for national projects such as redirecting coastal rivers westward to potentially mitigate future droughts. He believes that farmers, who make up only 2 percent of the population, are now seen as insignificant and dispensable. As a result, he anticipates having to sell off livestock, convert wheat to hay, sell crops for food, lay off employees, and hope to simply survive the difficult times ahead.