The eyes of winter croppers across the district have been skyward for the past few weeks waiting for the Autumn break to come.
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Rain is needed prior to sowing after a dry summer and this week local graingrowers were pleased to see the heavens finally open.
Across town, most farmers reported five to 10mm in the gauge on Tuesday with some fortunate enough to get up to 20mm.
Delta Agribusiness Senior Agronomist for Harden Tim Condon said this year’s long dry spell has been in stark contrast to last year’s perfect start to Autumn when rain fell at all the right times.
However, a dry March is nothing unusual and farmers are well equipped.
“Most people are prepared and ready to go,” Mr Condon said.
Some early grazing cereals such as oats and triticale are going in now with the main cropping window across the district to get underway after Easter.
Graziers are looking to these early sown crops to get them through winter.
Already pasture paddocks are depleting with farmers across the district de-stocking these areas and moving stock into smaller catchment areas.
The rainfall-to-date this year, while below average, is far from unusual however, and with good strategic plans in place, Mr Condon said farmers are managing well.
On average the district should have had 154mm by now, however the figure for the year (as recorded by the BoM) is 89.6mm.
If we don’t get more rain between now and the start of sowing, many crops will be dry sown, however Mr Condon said confidence is still high for a good start to the season.
Others are in the fortunate position of having retained subsoil moisture over summer – particularly those farmers who have been proactive with their summer weed control.
Surface moisture is needed to give crops the start needed with Mr Condon reporting a 20mm fall, followed by a 10-20mm fall in quick succession would be a dream start.
Stockwater remains okay in most areas, according to Mr Condon, with some dams marginal.
In these marginal areas, stock are simply being moved to paddocks with adequate dam water or access to troughs.
Combined with beef and lamb prices holding their value, local farmers have a lot to be positive about.
