Farmers receive much-needed rain

Widespread rain across southeast Australia has arrived in the nick of time to save struggling crops and boost pastures. In this subscriber special, we talk to farmers about what it means.

Widespread rainfall has arrived in the nick of time to save struggling crops and boost pastures as the autumn break scraped in before winter officially starts tomorrow.

The joy among cropping and livestock farmers is unanimous, with handy falls throughout Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.

Bendigo agronomist Josh McLeod said a welcome 15-22mm had fallen in his area, while Nanneella farmer Jason Palmer, who grows crops and runs a feedlot, said 25mm of rain had fallen overnight.

Across the border at Brocklesby in NSW, Justin Everitt measured 20mm, saying he was certainly feeling “much happier today, than yesterday”.

Kerry Anderson of Elwood at The Gap, NSW. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

In the Riverina, parts of which was struggling under dry conditions, farmer Kerry Anderson at The Gap measured 25mm in the gauge.

For farmer Tim Leahy the season has been a mixed one. He farms country at Condobolin and Marrar in NSW. Traditionally, Marrar would be looking green and drier conditions would be expected at Condobolin.

“It is magnificent out there. Condobolin is wonderful and it is borderline too wet,” Mr Leahy said.

His property, which grows crops and runs prime lambs, had received 380mm of rain for the calendar year.

“We have had a wonderful start, and we have moved stock from Marrar to Condobolin,” he said. “At Marrar the rainfall is around 100mm less (than usual), with only 150mm for the calendar year.”

Up until Thursday night, when a welcome 20mm fell, Marrar had received 4mm in the past six weeks.

Tim Leahy farms at Marrar and Condobolin. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

“You can draw a line from about Temora to Griffith where things are cutting out,” Mr Leahy said.

“We have been selling hay into Tumbarumba and Holbrook.

“It is dry all the way down to the border of Victoria and NSW”.

In other Riverina totals, Hay recorded 38mm, Deniliquin 43mm and Berrigan 26mm overnight as the general rain drenched much of southern NSW.

Marc Greening has country near Holbrook, Wagga Wagga and Tarcutta, and said he had received an ideal 21-34mm.

“It will be an exceptional fall if we get follow up,” Mr Greening said.

“The soil temperatures mean we should get good growth – it’s almost like a delayed autumn we’ve seen up here.”

Further south, the falls were even better with Shepparton recording 58mm but just half an hour away, Euroa’s official measurement was 23mm as was Yea.

One of the biggest recordings was at Falls Creek, which had 85mm.

In the Western District, Hamilton and Casterton recorded 11mm, Ballarat 12mm, but Colac just 2mm.

Further southeast, Hamilton district farmers recorded 6-10mm in early falls, slightly more than many had hoped.

Nathan Richards of Thirlstane in Tasmania emptied 15mm out of the gauge. Picture: Chris Kidd

In Tasmania Nathan Richardson, who farms at Thirlstane, received 15mm.

“It is clearing up now though and there is a massive wind storm coming,” he said.

In the South East of South Australia, usually one of the most reliable farming districts in the nation, Lucindale farmer Lachie Seears who runs a 6000ha beef, sheep and cropping business said a “very welcome” 5mm fell on Thursday morning.

To the end of May Lucindale had received around 50mm of rain, whereas at this time last year 250mm had fallen.

“Who would have thought so many people would be so excited and talking about 5-10mm of rain falling at the end of May,” Mr Seears said.

“For the younger farmers who have seen only great times in ag, this has been a really challenging time, a bit of a shock.

“This is a rain that really means quite a lot.

“It won’t change things significantly on the farm, but it is great from a mental point of view.”

In Western Victoria, to the north of Harrow, Wombelano farmer Sue Jarvis said 8.5mm fell on by mid afternoon Thursday.

“Our wheat crop has been looking thirsty; it should take off now, plus the fava beans and canola will finally germinate after sitting in dry soil for several weeks,” she said.

The welcome rain would also help provide some feed for the sheep, “at long last”, Ms Jarvis said.