It’s a north versus south scenario with rainfall forecast for northern NSW and Queensland

Farmers in northern NSW and Queensland are eagerly awaiting up to 80mm of rain this weekend, while southern NSW and Victoria could miss out.

Northern NSW and Queensland are expecting a decetn drenching of up to 80mm of rain this weekend - but there remains little on the horizon for Victoria and southern NSW.

Farmers say they are still looking for relief as dams and stock water are getting lower, and the winter planting deadline of Anzac Day looms closer.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting 70mm of rain for Tamworth in northern NSW from Friday to Tuesday with the main rain event on Saturday.

Dubbo can expect similar falls, while further south in the Riverina, Wagga Wagga’s forecast is for 10mm.

Tamworth farmer Norm Thomas said if the forecast comes to fruition this weekend it would be a godsend and even the timing was perfect.

“Dam levels are low, and we need stock water but the grass is green and pastures are doing well,” he said.

“We are expecting anything from 40mm to 80mm to come through this weekend and it is needed,” he said.

So far for March he has measured 60mm in the gauge and said the rain had been enough to instill some confidence for winter cropping in the area.

“We will start sowing (grazing wheat) next week, after this rain,” he said.

To the north in central Queensland Scott Muller of Biloela said farmers would welcome rain.

“A week ago we were worried there was going to be a deluge and we were trying to harvest mungbeans,” he said.

That rain event didn’t come to fruition.

His property received 26mm on February 15, and another 8mm on February 19.

“We would welcome any rain, so we can sow winter crop,” he said.

Mr Muller said he will wait for a seasonal break before sowing.

For the month to date Queensland farmers have recorded some enormous falls thanks to rain ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. According to BOM, Ingham has had 1014mm, Townsville, 787mm and Mount Isa, 210mm.

Across the border in NSW, Barrington has had 488mm, Lismore, 428mm and Casino 328mm.

VICTORIAN FARMERS PIN HOPES ON AUTUMN RAIN

However, in Victoria long-overdue rainfall has been eagerly welcomed ahead of the Anzac Day sowing deadline, but some areas missed out.

Activity in the paddocks has increased this week, with airseeders planting early crops fuelled by optimism that stored soil moisture will support germination and some grazing crops have already emerged.

The northeast had some of the best falls in the last seven days.

Alexandra received (73mm), Wodonga (60mm), Wangaratta (48mm), Mitta Mitta (48mm) and Yarrawonga (39mm).

North of the border, Deniliquin had 34mm, Hay (26mm) and Urana (24mm).

The Mallee remains one of the driest parts of the state, but Ouyen had 65mm, raising hopes of an autumn break with a follow up rain.

The southern Mallee, Wimmera and southwest again missed out.

Sowing activity has ramped up across paddocks in Victoria this week. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Ouyen farmer Leonard Vallance received 3mm to 15mm in the past seven days in what was described as “patchy, but welcome” rain.

His early-sown rye crops have already emerged and he will continue the sowing program with another week of fodder crops and then start on lupins and canola.

Birchip farmer John Ferrier, who has started sowing, said there were more seeders in the paddocks on Tuesday morning.

He recorded 10mm of rain in the past seven days but said the 150mm that fell during the summer months had helped to build up soil moisture.

“We have stored soil moisture below 20cm and we have had good weed control,” he said.

Mr Ferrier said this week he was sowing crops for brown manure and in the next couple of weeks he would move onto the main program of wheat, barley, lentils and canola.

Richard Sargood, who farms between Howlong and Corowa on the Murray River, had a “badly needed” 53mm late last week.

“With a bit of follow up rain in the next couple of weeks it will be just about perfect,” he said.

“It was very dry.

“There was dust everywhere and everyone was getting short of water and short of feed.

“If this kickstarts the season, which it will come close to doing, it will be a godsend.”

West Gippsland livestock agent Anthony Delaney at the recent Mountain Calf sales. Picture: Zoe Phillips

In West Gippsland, which has been unseasonally dry in recent months, Warragul received a further 25mm last week.

“We’re in no means in the situation of western Victoria and other areas that have had it tougher,” livestock agent Anthony Delaney said.

“But it has been unseasonally dry here.

“The rain has freshened everything up a little bit.

“It will be good to see it keep coming.”

Livestock markets are feeling the impacts of a dry autumn and the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator has lost 10.45c/kg in the past week to settle at 643.62c/kg. Heavy lamb prices dropped by 9.13c/kg with the indicator at 780.55 and trade lambs fell 14.77c/kg to settle on 762.59c/kg.