Mid-year rainfall figures reveal extent of drought

The staggering numbers behind drought in Victoria and SA show some regions have received less than 20 per cent of average rainfall for the first half of the year.

Parts of Victoria and South Australia have recorded less than 20 per cent of average rainfall for the first half of the year, with several key farming districts among the hardest hit.

South Australia is enduring its second dry year in a row, with Port Augusta receiving just 10 per cent of its yearly average rainfall so far — 21mm - and Loxton in the SA Mallee at just 14 per cent, or 35mm.

Mildura has recorded 41mm for the six months to June, representing 14 per cent of the region’s annual average of 286mm.

While almost all of Victoria is experiencing drier than average conditions, Sale and Omeo are slightly better, at 51 per cent of their average annual rainfall, with 303mm and 323mm respectively.

Across the border in southern NSW dry conditions prevail and both Wagga Wagga and Cooma are sitting at 44 per cent of the annual average rainfall with 250mm and 232mm to June.

Rainfall year-to-date versus the long-term annual average.

Matt Curtis, who farms west of Mildura, said conditions were getting pretty bad with just 35mm of rain so far this year at his place. The average annual rainfall at Mildura is 286mm, and although only 14 per cent of that had fallen by the end of June, there was some optimism from soil moisture levels.

“The crops are way behind, some are just emerging now,” he said.

Last week’s windy weather caused significant damage to already struggling crops.

“As well as low rainfall we have had wind that just cut crops off as they were starting to emerge,” Mr Curtis said.

Timmering farmer Jordan Mulholland. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Jordan Mulholland said rainfall at Tongala was well down on what would usually be expected, and the season was progressing slowly.

“Up until June it was very dry,” he said.

Falls of 30mm in the last 10 days have helped turn things around, but only about 60mm to 70mm of the annual rainfall has arrived so far at the Tongala property.

Richard Konzag of Mallala in SA said his area was facing a rainfall deficit with just 80mm so far, compared with a long-term average of 175mm.

“We have an average annual rainfall of 395mm in this area,” he said.

Last year, a total of 191mm was recorded for the 12 months, marking two dry years in a row for the farming district.

“The crops are starting to get up and away, but everything is behind. It is slow,” he said.

Wimmera farmer Marshall Rodda of Tarranyurk said since the late break arrived a few weeks ago. He had received 27mm, but overall rainfall for the year was still well down.

“I’ve been farming for 60 years and I’ve seen us sow in May and I’ve seen us sow in July, we are really only as good as our next rain,” he said.

Mr Rodda said farmers were now hoping for a good spring.

In the lower South East of SA, livestock contractor Claire Koch said recent rains lifted morale but farmers, and their livestock, were now drawing hard on energy reserves as the cold of winter hit.

“We’re still feeding like maniacs but there is a timeline we can see where, we hope and pray we can stop if we get a good spring,” she said.

“Farmers are so tired, they are busy putting out inputs to make the most of the growth we have got, and they are having to borrow more finances, the costs are still rising and we aren’t yet up to the very busy springtime.”