Wagga
WAGGA farmers are experiencing normal plant growth at present, according to Wagga Department of Primary Industries district agronomist Nigel Phillips.
Nigel says crops are “traveling okay at the moment”, however significant rainfall is needed throughout spring to end the season on a positive note.
He said most farmers do not have the soil moisture they would like so as warmer weather hits, without rain, crops could become very thirsty.
The eastern part of the Wagga district, according to Nigel, is faring better than the rest. He says this is the general pattern followed year on year.
On a positive note for Wagga district farmers, Nigel says most have adequate, if not good, pasture growth for stock to feed on.
He says the reason some crops look bigger than one might expect for this time of year, is because of higher than average overnight temperatures.
“At this early stage things are okay, but there is a long way to go,” he summed up.
Cootamundra
Despite only having received three quarters of the average rainfall to September, Cootamundra crops are looking very good.
The district has received 311ml of rain, while the long term median to this time of year is 410ml.
Cootamundra Department of Primary Industries district agronomist Phil Bowden said crops are progressing very well.
He said soil moisture is adequate at the moment, however farmers will be looking for regular spring falls to top up the soil.
He said at least a couple of inches is required to finish off the season well.
“We have had rain events coming through every week, however they are not amounting to what has been predicted,” Phil said.
“The potential is there at the moment to have a really good season,” he said, adding that the mood amongst farmers is cautious.
“September and October are real crunch months.”
He said the critical time for crops will be when the weather warms up.
“If we get hot, sunny, windy days without rain crops will be wilting,” Phil said.
Hillston
Hillston and district farmers were looking for rain which did not eventuate last weekend, putting their entire season at risk, according to Hillston Department of Primary Industries district agronomist Barry Haskins.
Barry said the past month has been “extremely disappointing” for farmers.
“These are desperate times,” he said, adding that after recent predicted rains failed to fall 10 per cent of most crops has already finished.
Barry said pasture growth is also suffering, with many farmers weighing up whether to turn their stock onto struggling crops now or wait the season out to see what happens.
He said Hillston and district farmers must look back to 2003 and 2005 to see good yields, however both of these seasons saw poor prices delivered.
2001 was the last entirely positive season experienced by Hillston producers.
West Wyalong
Like much of southern NSW, West Wyalong is experiencing critically low soil moisture levels, according to West Wyalong Department of Primary Industries district agronomist Bob Thompson.
Bob says currently 60 per cent of crops in the district are experiencing severe moisture stress and are at risk of failing.
He said the district desperately needs rain during the beginning of September, or many farmers are going to find it difficult to get beyond September 15.
With less than 10ml falling across the area last month, and July not much better, Bob said most crops are looking very thirsty.
He said recent winds did nothing to help the situation, causing high levels of evaporation.
Without significant rain very soon, Bob said many farmers will look to turn their stock onto crops, rather than hand feed.
He compared the way this season is shaping up to 2007, which proved disastrous for West Wyalong and district farmers with 80 per cent on crops lost. On a positive note, he said areas within the West Wyalong district, Quandialla and Caragabal are faring better than much of the region.
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