North Burnett peanut farmer welcomes rain

Peanut farmer, who received 100mm in two weeks, has welcomed the recent rainfall.

Farmers Mark Rackemann's farm has received about 100mm of rain in the past two weeks.

COALSTOUN Lakes peanut farmer Mark Rackemann has received about 100mm of rain in two weeks.

"We recorded 46mm three Saturdays ago and two Saturdays ago we got 68mm," Mr Rackemann said.

"It's always a worry when it's dry all round though, the ground soaks up water like a sponge."

"You've got to go with it."

Mr Rackemann said the previous four seasons were dry.

"They were well below average," he said.

"We're not out of the woods by any means, two falls of rain don't fix anything.

"They're a pretty tough plant, but the more rain the better that's for sure, though to have some rain is good."

He said the dry weather could make the season challenging.

"The whole district is on tenterhooks, not just here, the whole Burnett, to be honest," he said.

"It has copped a hiding and it's extremely difficult."

Mr Rackemann said most of the crop at his farm, which he runs with his brother and two sons, was planted.

"They've only been out of the ground a few weeks, they're a month old, so it's early days," he said.

"We planted some new ones the other day."

He said there was still demand for the nuts.

"The price of peanuts is still good, though because of poor seasons the quality is down," he said.

"It's a silver lining that prices are okay, if you can grow the quality.

"Quality and prices go hand in hand, as well as quantity.

"The demand for the crop is still there."

Over the winter months, Mr Rackemann said he grew chickpeas.

"They were okay, one block was poor, the other was good," he said.

"They're better off on black soil than the red soil here.

"Though we put in and managed to get something."

Mr Rackemann said he also grew other crops on his property.

"There was a bit of wheat around the place, and we are growing mungbeans as well now," he said.

"We know this country can produce.

"If we get some good rain, we can get good crops."

Originally published as North Burnett peanut farmer welcomes rain