The devastating impact of drought has been exposed in comparison photos showing the harsh reality facing farmers.

In the shots, lush fields have been replaced by barren farmland and display the visible impact of extended periods without rain.

James Schulhin, from Watsons Creek, 500km north-west of Sydney, posted the comparison on social media to reminisce over times of plenty before the drought took hold.

'Found a photo on my phone of the good old days. Like when the place was green back in 2016 compared to now,' he wrote.

The devastating impact of drought has been exposed in comparison photos showing the harsh reality now facing farmers compared to just 2016 (pictured)

In the shots, lush fields have been replaced by barren farmland and display the visible impact the lack of rain has had. Just two years later, the spot is unrecognisable with a now-lonely tree

In the first shot, Mr Watson's farm is coated with a thick layer of green grass

Just two years later, the spot is unrecognisable with a now-lonely tree.

The visible reminder of the harsh reality facing thousands of Australian farmers, comes amidst what is being lauded as the worst drought in recent history.

Autumn this year was the fourth-warmest on record and last month was the driest July nationally since 2002.

One farmer from Tamworth, which is just 65km south of Watsons Creek, spoke to Daily Mail Australia last week about the catastrophic weather event, which has forced him to sell his 200 head of cattle.

'This is the worst drought I have seen in 40 years. Droughts come and go but this one is severe,' he said.

The visible reminder of the harsh reality facing thousands of Australian farmers, comes amidst what is being lauded as the worst drought in recent history

One farmer from Tamworth, which is just 65km south of Watsons Creek, spoke to Daily Mail Australia last week about the catastrophic weather event, which has forced him to sell his 200 head of cattle

Tamworth has had 93.4mm of rain so far this year, just a quarter of the average.

'We realised the season was going bad this time last year, and we started cutting numbers then - but we have had to sell the core stock now. We have never had to do that before,' he said.

The farmer's property is now littered with the carcasses of dead cows, with some perishing in the mud as they tried to get water from dried up damns.

In parts of New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland it has been the worst drought in 116 years, leaving countless paddocks now bare.