NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald today released that latest official figures, which show the State is slipping further into drought at 65.9 per cent, an increase from last month from 63.9pc.

The area of NSW which is considered satisfactory has decreased to 9.8pc of the State (down from 24.4pc), while 24.3pc of NSW is considered marginal (up from 11.7pc).

"It is estimated that the dry weather has already cut the State’s wheat crop by 20pc and every day without rain means more of the crop is lost,” Mr Macdonald said.

"Conditions have been very warm for this time of year, with the national mean August temperature being the highest since records began in 1950."

As a result of the warm weather, harvest is also likely to start two weeks earlier than normal.

According to the NSW Government seasonal report, areas which have moved into drought in the last month include parts of the Central North and the North West, which includes towns of Tamworth and Gunnedah.

"In the northern half of the NSW, only 1-10mm of rain was recorded," Mr Macdonald said of last month's weather.

"Some crops have already failed and those remaining are stressed and in desperate need for good soaking rain.

"In many cases failed crops cannot be opened to stock as famers have previously destocked due to drought and there is no point in harvesting fodder because there is insufficient bulk in the crop."