‘Patchy’ October rainfall drops a mixed bag
With fires and floods in one week, October was a wild month for Gippsland, while the west of Victoria are hoping for a wetter November. See the numbers.
Weather
Fears untimely rain could disrupt harvest
Farmers across the state are cautiously watching the weather forecast this week, as wet weather threatens to interrupt harvest.
El Nino forecasted to fade next year
The latest US forecasts have predicted El Nino conditions will fade to neutral in the Pacific next year, bringing relief to eastern Australian farmers.
Historic bridge weight limit revised
A major change has been made to the weight limit on vehicles crossing a historic bridge in the high country damaged by flooding. See another key exemption.
Victorian bushfire fighting personnel bolstered
Victoria’s firefighting operations have received a boost ahead of summer, with the Allan government injecting millions to support efforts.
Stars align for cotton
Near ideal conditions at planting and a promising outlook for prices bodes well for southern NSW cotton growers.
Probe called to ensure public get top weather tips
The federal government has ordered a probe of the nation’s climate advisory body to ensure authorities and the public receive “the very best information”.
What this week’s rain means for crops, prices
El Nino-defying rainfall across southern NSW and Victoria is growing confidence for good yields. See what it means for harvest and prices.
‘Refreshing’ rain spreads farmer positivity
Spirits have been lifted across much of Victoria after last week’s rain, giving hope for an improved harvest.
El Nino strips millions from livestock markets
El Nino forecasts are causing “panic-selling” among livestock markets, with producers swamping markets.
‘Exactly to plan’: Southern NSW pasture crop thriving
See how one farmer has managed to grow a thriving pasture crop, providing security against livestock prices.
Producers holding hope rain can boost livestock markets
Livestock producers are pinning their hopes on a rain-fuelled boost to markets, as values slip to lows not seen for years.
Farmers brace for fire and flood
Three years since the Black Summer bushfires, parts of Victoria have been hit by early season fires, with flood warnings issued in East Gippsland.
El Nino to hit the hip pocket
Farming businesses lose tens of thousands of dollars a year due to harsh seasonal conditions. Here’s how to cut losses in a dry spring.
Banquet to celebrate barley
Barley crops are looking stellar at Rupanyup and soon the town will celebrate community and all things ag at its annual banquet.
Fire preparations fully underway
Authorities are continuing to prepare for a season holding significant threat of bushfires, as the federal government considers boosting firefighting forces.
Progressive farming provides El Nino shade
Using technology, water, animal and pasture management, and an openness to trying new crop options may help farmers through El Nino.
Warm conditions ideal for poppies
Drier and warmer conditions have been welcomed in Tasmania as a good start for planting poppies. See how many hectares will be sown.
Farmers seize opportunity to begin lakebed cropping
Farmers are cropping the lakebeds of the Great Darling Anabranch system, as floodwaters evaporate to expose nutrient-rich soils.
Season hangs in the balance
Australia’s farming fortunes will be determined in the next two weeks as farmers wait for make-or-break rain.
CFA silent on fire warning call
The NSW Rural Fire Service declared “catastrophic” conditions on its far south coast, while the CFA issued no warnings for dry East Gippsland.
September temperatures surge
Thriving crops have held on despite warmer temperatures throughout much of the cropping belt. Full report here.
BOM declares El Nino
The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared El Nino, while NSW authorities have issued a “catastrophic” fire warning for the state’s far south coast.
Coming heatwave raises crop loss fears
A five-day September heatwave will place pressure on crops with the fates of Victorian and NSW farmers “now in the hands of the weather gods.”
Croppers still looking to the sky
Southern NSW and Victorian crops are thriving. But there is still frost risk and many growers need more rain.
BOM continues to predict dry conditions
Forecasters continue to predict a dry spring, but fail to go further than an alert level for El Nino in latest predictions.
State of the industry: What livestock, cropping farmers need
The fortunes of rural Australia hang on crucial spring rain as the nation’s farmers face some of the biggest headwinds in years.
Patchy weather a concern for farmers
Victorian farmers need only average spring rain to help promising crops, but dwindling falls and morning frost are making some jittery.
Recently-flooded areas pose significant bushfire risk
Fire authorities warn shifting weather conditions and high fuel loads have created the worst bushfire threat since 2019-20.
High winter temperatures bring cropping risk
Maximum mean temperatures were 1C to 2C above average in July as an El Nino season looms.
Southeast Aus drying up
East Gippsland and the Bega Valley are starting to dry off, with farmers offloading some stock and assessing fodder reserves.
Riverina cotton harvest a disappointment
As a delayed cotton harvest gets underway in the Riverina, growers say it has been “a year to forget”.
El Nino fears dampened by ‘almost perfect’ rain
The winter weather is playing favourites with some regions missing out on early winter falls while others had an ideal drop.
El Nino risk upgraded to alert level
The chance of El Nino developing this winter is now “very likely” according to an updated forecast.
Crop yields to fall with big dry on horizon
Crop yields in Victoria are in for a big drop this season, but growers aren’t concerned. See the latest forecasts.
Weather: Confidence drying up
It was a stellar start to autumn but now farmers are looking to the skies for fronts that could set up the new season.
Imminent dry impacting cattle market
Dry conditions across the eastern states of Australia are ripping confidence out of the cattle market. Full analysis here.
Livestock industry spooked by El Nino
Talk of El Nino is spooking farmers across southeastern Australia despite many regions experiencing the best autumn break in decades.
Cropping 2023: Weekend drenching rings in autumn break
Rainfall over the weekend has brought an autumn break to growers across much of Victoria.
Rainfall guide: The great divide
The autumn break has been fickle across south-east Australia. Find out the winners and losers in the rainfall stakes.
Canola primed to be sole loser of recent rains
Cropping farmers in southern NSW have received a textbook autumn break. See how much fell in the gauge and how different crops are going.
El Nino dries up livestock competition
Predictions of an El Nino event sit at 50/50, but have proved more than enough to spook some livestock producers.
Victoria swings to hay after soggy season
Large parts of Victoria endured a wet 2022, meaning hay is back as the fodder of choice this year. Check out the latest stats here.
Soil moisture the ticket to recovery despite dry outlook
Cropping farmers are looking forward to a productive season despite a drier outlook, with soil moisture at close to 100 per cent.
Hay, grain talk: Interest in growing hay on the rebound
Despite one of the worst years for making hay that many can remember after the wet spring, more growers are willing to re-enter the market.
Hay and Grain: Hay prices up, positive outlook for wheat
Despite a difficult harvest indicators are suggesting a record year for wheat production, while the hay market continues to take shape.
Glimmer of hope as fertiliser prices fall
A correction in fertiliser price is being welcomed across the cropping industry after the enormous highs of 2022.
Cropping 2023: Lower input costs to offset supply chain woes
Lower input costs and strong commodity prices bode well for the 2023 cropping season, coming off a difficult holiday harvest.
January rain a feast or famine for Victoria, NSW
January has been a fickle month for rain across southeast Australia with some centres recording five times their normal monthly rain but others measuring just a fraction.
Hay & grain: Hay supply situation clears
Now that the season’s narrow baling window is finished, farmers are able to truly evaluate the lay of the land for feed.
Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/weather/page/2