Rain a dam good boost for farmers

Local agronomist Paul Parker said the 41mm of rain recorded during July, with the highest falls of 25mm occurring on July 16, had provided excellent runoff.

“The farmers really needed that – there were real concerns about the lack of stock water leading into summer,” he said.

This also bodes well for crops after a dry start to the season, the higher than average falls in recent months having bolstered subsoil moisture levels.

Predictions for yields are also optimistic as the milder winter has seen some crops advance early in what Mr Parker describes as an unusual season.

“Canola is advanced – it starts to flower normally in August, but some crops have already started flowering – interestingly I have also noticed the wattle has started to flower early too and many deciduous plants have yet to lose their leaves,” he said.

“This time of year – the last week of July and first week of August - we’re coming into the least conducive growing conditions of the year, but from then on the day length increases and the soil warms up and we start to see lots more growth,” he said.

Mr Parker said that frosts and stock grazing programs have held the crops back slightly, preventing them from bolting.

He also confirmed cases of Beet Western Yellow’s virus (BWYA) which causes purpling of leaves, reduced growth and yields in canola crops.

“It’s been a few years since we have seen it so farmers should keep aphids, especially the Green Peach aphid, under control to minimize the impact of virus infection,” he said.

Aphid control is also necessary to prevent the spread of Barley Yellow Dwarf virus which causes purpling and yellowing of leaves of cereal crops.

“All the signs are there for a good season but that will depend on spring rainfall – they are predicting an El Nino event developing,” Mr Parker said.

“People in other areas of the state are saying it is a below average season but for us we are above average going into spring – we’re in a strong position at this stage,” Mr Parker said.

According to Riverina Local Land Services cereal crops have had excellent growth this autumn but they are low in calcium and this has problems for lambing ewes. 

Milk fever is being seen in late pregnant and lactating ewes with losses reaching five per cent.

Producers have been told to be mindful of the changing weather patterns, and if an early spring does come along to undergo a worm test to check levels prior to putting weaners on paddocks as they might have infective barbers pole present (in addition to other species).

Riverina LLS is  also recommending to landholders to start monitoring their properties for any build up of mice.