Recent rain in southern NSW will be of immediate benefit to farmers however drought conditions still exist in NSW with the June figures showing the drought affected area has increased to 66 per cent (up from 60 per cent in May).
It may be hard to believe, but rainfall in May varied from up to 600 mls on the north coast and 200 mls along the adjoining tableland to next to nothing in the south west slopes and far south west of the State.
Ian Macdonald, the NSW Minister for Primary Industries said about 50 per cent of the State’s estimated 3 million hectare wheat crop and around 85 per cent of canola has been sown at the end of May.
The figure for canola represents a significant downturn, with many farmers opting out of growing the crop after recent poor seasons and high input costs. The NSW DPI has forecast the State’s area sown to canola will total around 240,000 hectares.
With a decade of below average rainfall and record high autumn temperatures sowing cereal crops on limited moisture has taken place and the recent early June rain will be of great benefit to crops already sown, allowing them to successfully establish.
It will also allow farmers to plant their later sown wheat varieties and undersown crops into a moist seedbed.
Rainfall for the past week varied considerably across southern NSW but falls of between 15-50 mls were recorded in most centres.
“Rain this week in the south has provided a short-term boost to crops, but given the lack of subsoil moisture, significant follow-up rains will be needed.
“Handfeeding of livestock, destocking and agistment are now widespread in many central and southern areas, and handfeeding is expected to increase with the onset of cooler conditions.
“Hay is becoming hard to get in drought affected areas and increasing demand for stock on flood-damaged coastal pastures will add to the pressure on fodder availability,” said Mr Macdonald.
The current rain is critical for the future of both crops and pastures in many farming districts and will provide a major short term boost for the rural economy as farmers finish sowing and look at controlling weeds in crops and pastures in the next few weeks.
Jamie Pursehouse, Manager at Landmark, Ariah Park, said that most of the district had received up to 50 mls of rain this month which was ideal rain for the farming community.
“About 80 per cent of crops have been sown, with this rain giving them a real boost.
“The crops sown after the rain on Anzac Day did have patchy germination and this rain will now allow them to catch up.
“Canola, lupin and early sown grazing cereal crops will now need some weed control in the next few weeks after this rain,” said Mr Pursehouse.
There has been reports of rutherglen bug infestations in some canola crops in the district that have proved difficult to control and earth mite activity has increased significantly in recent weeks.
Ariah Park farmers have kept canola in their cropping program, defying the trend in some other areas and will be hoping the good start to the season continues into late winter and spring.
This positive news backed up by John Ellis at M S Davidson and Co at Henty, who said the district had received around 20mls of rain.
“This came at the right time for our district, with 85 per cent of crops already sown.
“These early sown crops have done remarkably well and growth has been excellent with the warmer May temperatures.
“However, the colder weather and frosts will now slow things down,” said Mr Ellis.
Steven Harris of “Kilbirnie” Old Junee was pleased with the 25mls of rain the property received.
“This will allow us to finish planting the majority of our wheat crop and will give our early sown lupins and cereal crops a timely boost.
“After not having a decent grain harvest for eight years, this year is critical for our farm - we cannot afford another failure.
“I just hope it rains in spring,” said Mr Harris, echoing the sentiments of all farmers in the region.
The welcome widespread rain along with the onset of wintry conditions will have a positive effect on rural communities and provide a boost in confidence for the agricultural industry in general.
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