Australia is in the midst of one of the worst droughts in history and it's showing no signs of letting up.

The crisis is shattering the livelihoods of farmers across the nation, threatening everything they have ever worked for.

Stephen Germon, from Wingham in New South Wales, is one of the countless affected.

He's a resilient fourth-generation dairy farmer, but he's now on the brink of shutting the gates of his farm for good.

(Nine)

Desperate for rain and struggling to survive, this drought has left German's once lush farm now bone dry.

"I find it very hard to keep going, considering no rain and lack of money," Germon told Today's Tom Steinfort. "We're financially on our knees and it's been very hard to keep rolling on.

"I live in la-la land a lot because I think things will get better, but it will take a long time for this to turn around."

Despite the tragic circumstances, Germon's cows still bring him joy.

"I enjoy going and getting the cows and bringing them home and looking at the cows on the way home.

(Nine)

"It is not a job I like doing anymore. We started off with 200 cows milking less than three years ago and we're down to 78 cows.

"It's a kick in the guts."

Dairy farming is in Germon's blood but with the recent drought and crippling milk prices, he is unable to feed his cows.

He is drowning in debt and is now close to shutting the farm gates forever.

"How long does it take for a government to realise that they're killing an industry that was the backbone of Australia at one stage?" Germon says.

"Every one of my kids could step into the dairy and take over at any time. But I would never encourage a kid to walk into what we're in.

"This is murderous to the industry and it's murderous to family."

(Nine)

He says one of the hardest parts has been how the drought has affected his family, knowing they "don't get what they need".

"I reckon like most nights I get four or five hours' sleep because it goes over and over in your head.

"I do love my job but it's taking its toll on us. Without water you've got nothing and that's where we're at now. It's worrying us."

Germon's proud tradition has become a heavy burden for the entire family.

"It's pretty hard with the drought and everything. It really upsets me thinking we might have to give up the farm," Germon's daughter, Jessica, said.

"It's been tough for a long time now and the fact we're still here and still going, we're still fighting, it's just amazing."

(Nine)

Like so many other Australians who are facing extraordinary hardship, Germon is the kind of guy that would rarely ask for a hand.

"It's not a matter of running out of feed, we have run out of feed. We're hoping that a bit of rain comes. We're going further and further into debt and I'm no different from other any farmer, we're all doing different things, just different scales."

In an act of kindness, The Lott has gifted Germon with $10,000 to help his family make ends meet.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you. It will go to keep us going anyway for a little bit longer.

"It's a bit overwhelming I have to say. It's not what I expected. The whole industry needs help."