North East farmers thankful for rain

A WET summer is becoming the norm for the Mitchell family.

Farmers Kevin Rankin (white shirt), Alan Mitchell and Ross Mitchell (green shirt) on the green hills overlooking Bethanga, near Albury. Picture: SIMON DALLINGER

A WET summer is becoming the norm for the Mitchell family.

Farming at Bethanga, near Wodonga, brothers Ross and Alan Mitchell recorded 120-130mm of rain in January, including 57mm in the past week.

And they know they are lucky when it comes to rain.

“I’d say that we have had a better season than anywhere else in the country,” Alan said.

“The weather pattern over the past couple of years has produced hot springs, but the back end of summer has been different (wetter).”

Alan said rain during January had been “pretty impressive”.

“It will definitely make the summer pastures grow and we hope it now won’t get too hot,” he said.

“If it gets really hot, it will kill off that summer pasture growth and then we will get the summer weeds coming.”

But the rain has been a godsend to boost pastures, which will now blossom for their Angus herd.

“It has also put fresh water into our dams and that plus the freshened feed will be fantastic,” Alan said.

“The North East has had the pick of the seasons for the past couple of years.”