PERFORMING in line with a weather pattern that often asserts itself following a strong El Nino weather event, much of Australia has enjoyed wetter than average conditions through the opening month of the year.
In the north of the country, there have been good falls in Queensland, leading to minor flood levels through that state’s south-west on rivers such as the Balonne and the Maranoa.
Further south, falls over the last week in NSW were headlined by widespread falls in the Dubbo and Peak Hill districts in the Central West of 100mm, with storm related tallies in excess of 150mm.
“There has been a lot of rain about to the south of Dubbo in the past week, so there will be good moisture for farmers to conserve,” said John Shepherd, secretary of the Central West-based Conservation Agriculture and No Till Farming Association (CANFA).
Further west in NSW, Tottenham farmer Terry Fishpool said there had been falls of around 40mm.
“We have had some rain before that as well, so there should be some moisture for the profile, although equally we will not store all of that unless it does not heat up again.”
In far northern Victoria, Michael Moodie of Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) said there had been general rains of over 50mm in the Millewa and much of the northern Mallee.
“The rain has tended to patch in with repeated storms, so most areas have got some rain.
“Within that, we have had some places that have had over 60mm in the one storm, so it has not been a bad start to the year.”
Cam Taylor, commercial services manager with Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) said throughout the southern Mallee and northern Wimmera there had generally been a minimum of 30mm, with many areas receiving 50mm plus.
“It has been nice and widespread which is good after a tough year last year, it will certainly germinate weeds and farmers will then get on and control them.”
In South Australia, Greg Butler, research and development manager with the South Australian No Till Farmers Association (SANTFA) said there had been good falls during the first month and a bit of the year.
This week, there was flash flooding in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula and heavy falls on the bottom end of the Yorke Peninsula.
“It will at least ensure the upcoming crop has some moisture underneath it after such a dry spring last year,” Mr Butler said.
In Western Australia, the remnants of Cyclone Stan put a spring in the step of eastern and central Wheatbelt farmers.
Steady, soaking rain during last weekend added to one of the wettest Januarys in years, producing some record rainfalls.
Several large storm fronts crossed over the area the size of Tasmania dropping widespread rains varying from under 10mm to well over 80mm in some areas.
Southern Cross received its best rainfall on record since 2001, with 63.6mm while other districts also benefitted, including Northam (74.2mm), Merredin (41mm), Cunderdin (50.4mm), York (75.8mm) and Quairading (69.6mm).
WITH COURTNEY MADIGAN.