Dry lingers but hopes of a ‘return to normal’ in long-range forecast

Wetter conditions and warmer than average nights are included in the March to May long-range weather forecast. See what it means for farmers.

Farmers say they will welcome a “return to normal” weather patterns in line with the Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast.

The BoM predicts above-average rainfall for parts of NSW and Victoria in the three-month March to May outlook.

Warmer-than-average nights are also forecast and could come as a boost for summer crops, including cotton and corn, and could also help with soil temperatures.

However, farmers say conditions are still extremely dry in many places.

South Australian farmer Richard Konzag of Mallala said the region looked very dry.

“We have had less than 1mm of rain for the year,” he said.

“This is following up from one of the driest years in 100 years for the 2024 season.”

Mr Konzag said it was not unusual for the region to experience a few dry months over summer, but it was unseasonably dry.

He wasn’t overly optimistic about the forecast from March until May but said there was still time to receive useful rain before winter sowing.

Andrew Russell of Rutherglen.

“If we can get an opening rain at the start of April or the end of March, that would be about perfect,” he said.

“For the season to break out of this pattern, we would be looking at rain coming to us from an odd cyclone pattern in the north.”

It is a similar story, but not quite so dry, in Victoria’s Wimmera region with Rupanyup farmer Ash Teasdale saying he had measured 12mm of rain for the year so far.

“That was in January and we have basically had nothing since then,” he said.

“It is often dry at this time of the year, so it isn’t unusual but this time last year we had more subsoil moisture.”

He was hoping to see an autumn break later in the season and will plant wheat, barley, canola, lentils and chickpeas.

At Rutherglen Andrew Russell says conditions are also dry, but there was still time for a break and northern Victoria was in good shape heading into winter cropping.

“We had a pretty hot February,” he said.

“A rain to germinate some weeds would be nice.

“This is probably normal conditions for us, and we can all manage normal weather patterns.”

Mr Russell will start planting long-season dual purpose wheat in March and early April.

BoM figures show Victoria’s rainfall for February has been varied with 95.8mm at Ensay, 22mm, at Omeo and 13.4mm at Warrnambool.

Only small amounts of rain have fallen in South Australia with 12mm at Berri, and 4mm at Milang. In NSW, Oberon has had 128mm, Orange, 123.8mm and Bombala 105.2mm. In Tasmania, Triabunna has received 56.8mm, Dover, 19.8mm and Ross, 16.4mm.