(CNN) Australia relaxed rules about shooting kangaroos in New South Wales (NSW) Wednesday as the state was declared "100% in drought" after months of little or no rain.

Less than 10 millimeters of rain fell in the state in July, the fifth-driest on record , putting further pressure on dwindling food supplies for cattle that can no longer graze on parched land.

"This is tough, there isn't a person in the state that isn't hoping to see some rain for our farmers and regional communities," Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said in a statement.

Large numbers of kangaroos have been competing with cattle for food and water, a situation Blair said must be turned around "as soon as possible."

"Many farmers are taking livestock off their paddocks, only to then see kangaroos move in and take whatever is left -- this is the last thing any farmer needs at the moment," Blair said.