WHILE most SA croppers are welcoming the rain that has fallen in the past week, the Bureau of Meteorology still warns of a dry period ahead.
BoM SA senior climatologist Darren Ray said the rain was the result of unexpected late-season tropical activity across northern Australia, which pushed moisture and cold fronts down to SA.
“But there’s not much tropical activity forecast for May, and we are still monitoring the possibility of an El Nino event happening in June/July,” he said.
“So while this rain has been a great start to the season, May through to July is still looking to be drier and warmer than average.”
Higher rain totals in agricultural districts were recorded at Kimba with 60 millimetres since Thursday last week, Port Augusta 90mm, Willowie 114mm, Laura 73mm, Roseworthy 74mm, Mount Compass 63mm and Padthaway 67mm.
In the Riverland, totals ranged from 16mm at Renmark, up to 70mm at Wunkar, near Loxton.
The power even went out at Loxton for a few hours during the storm, with 47mm received for the week.
Elders Loxton agronomist Brian Lynch said the rain was enough to give most croppers confidence to get started.
“Seeding had started slowly, with canola and legumes being dry sown, and the forecast wasn’t too exciting,” he said.
“Most growers are pretty excited after this recent rain.
“Long-season varieties will be considered, but others may wait to get a knockdown on first.”
On the Yorke Peninsula, 77mm was recorded at Yorketown.
YP Ag Yorketown agronomist Troy Johnson said the rain meant a return to the traditional Anzac Day break.
“We had been quite dry, with the last good rain in late December, but there should be a full soil moisture profile now,” he said.
“We are battling mice though, so hopefully this slows them down a bit.
“It has also put some croppers under pressure in their stubble burning programs prior to seeding, but most would be very happy with the rain.”
But not all areas of the state were blessed with high tallies, with some parts of the Eyre Peninsula and YP only recording 10-20mm.
Mr Ray said there was potentially more rain on the horizon.
“There is a system coming through possibly early next week, with some showers, but certainly not the same amount of rain we saw this week,” he said.