Rain 2024: Farmers make ‘good yields on a poor year’

Discover which regions had the most rain this year and those which missed out on their season average. See our interactive graphic here.

Australia’s farming regions have faced sporadic rain totals this year with too much, too little - or just too late.

The Northern Territory leads the board this year for highest rain totals, as Tennant Creek, Victoria River Downs and Daly Waters have doubled their annual averages.

Tibooburra, NSW, sat at an unlikely fourth place, recording 189 per cent of its annual rainfall average or 344mm for the year. Its closest neighbouring station, White Cliffs, had 145 per cent of its average or 363mm.

For Queensland, Burketown (1458mm) and Camooweal (748mm) were leading the charge on 187 and 186 per cent respectively, while Bowen (446mm), Barcaldine (264mm) and Longreach (244mm) were the parched parts of the state on less than 60 per cent of their annual averages.

Shepparton steamed ahead for Victoria with 116 per cent of its average, or 502mm for the year. The next closest towns in the state were Kerang on 381mm or 102 per cent, Wangaratta on 602mm or 100 per cent, and Redesdale on 99 per cent or 575mm.

Seventy-eight town stations reached their annual average, while 119 stations missed the mark.

Ballarat missed out on 62 per cent or 429mm, while western Victorian towns Horsham, Stawell and Ararat were also low-scoring.

Horsham farmer Tim Rethus had 180-200mm for his growing season, which usually averaged 325mm.

“It’s satisfying to see the farming practices we’ve embraced have resulted in good yields on a poor year,” he said.

All South Australian stations failed to reach annual averages, with the highest, Renmark, at 92 per cent or 215mm. Clare (283mm), Murray Bridge (178mm), Cleve (180mm) and Ceduna (119mm) were part of the bottom end, on fewer than 53 per cent of average totals.

Broome had little rain in Western Australia, with 53 per cent of its annual average or 330mm. Meanwhile, Halls Creek recorded 980mm or 171 per cent, Morawa had 155 per cent or 436mm, and Kalgoorlie had 138 per cent or 365mm.

WAFarmers grain president Mark Fowler farms at several spots southeast of Perth. His Williams property had 450mm of its usual 525mm, while further east recorded between 250-300mm.

“This season the rainfall has been characterised by a pretty hot, dry, and a little bit late start. We didn’t really get proper germinating rains until the start of May,” he said.

“[East] is below average but the timing has been pretty good which has led to good outcomes.”

Tasmania faced dry spells and severe weather events. King Island (617mm) and Flinders Island (544mm) needed hay and fodder donations earlier in the year, and had 73 and 72 per cent of their average totals. Ouse recorded the most rain, with 98 per cent of its average total or 513mm.