VIDEO: Canola crop impresses on little rain

Winter crops are emerging in southern NSW and doing well despite low rainfall in parts. Watch one farmer share his sentiments on the current season.

In a year when rain has been scarce one southern NSW farmer is counting his blessings.

Richard Jennings took the opportunity this week to use a few fine days to spray for weeds in his canola crop.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology farmers in the district could expect 5mm to 10mm to fall over the weekend and Richard said it would certainly be welcome.

So far his property has received 187mm for the calendar year, and 21mm for June.

“We are traditionally a 23-inch (575mm) average annual rainfall area,” he said.

So while falls were well below the annual average figure he was grateful to see the crops emerging well.

A crop of canola pictured at Berry Jerry in southern NSW. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Richard said the area north of Wagga Wagga in southern NSW was almost the marker of a seasonal divide.

“As you go south, it gets drier,” he said.

His paddock of Pioneer PY421C canola, sown on April 20, was faring quite well and he said the other winter crops had emerged and were doing better than expected too.

Richard Jennings of Berry Jerry in southern NSW pictured in his crop of canola. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

He said the spraying using a 32-metre boom spray to control weeds, with a selective herbicide was routine and it was important to get it done before the next falls of rain arrive.

This year he is growing, canola, wheat, barley and lupins as part of the winter cropping program.

Meanwhile, a few frosts in recent weeks have pushed temperatures lower and will prompt a slowdown in growth. However, there were still good warm days.

Nearby at Ganmain farmers have had 15.2mm in the past month, Narrandera has had 10.8mm, Beckom 12mm and Temora 22.2mm.

To the north of Berry Jerry higher falls have been recorded with Young in the south west slopes recording 57.2mm in the past month, Dubbo 34.6mm and Parkes 45.8mm.