The massive increase in meat prices throughout metropolitan supermarkets might be a pain for everyone in the city, but it belies a much bigger issue; the disaster facing famers throughout the state.

Areas of the state are facing the lowest rainfall records since the drought of 1888 while cattle prices have plunged 60 per cent; two facts that are driving long-established farms to closure.

Myalup cattle farmer and WA Farmers Livestock Section President Geoff Pearson told Julie-anne Sprague they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“You know, we’re just starting to regain and rebound in that market and shift and shift a few numbers, but we definitely didn’t shift the numbers that we have historically,” Mr Pearson said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the disaster facing WA farmers