In rural communities the one eternal and most prominent subject for discussion would have to be the weather. There are very good reasons for this given that the fortunes of the rural sector, and thus the rest of the community, relies on a successful year for grain producers and livestock producers. In the Weddin Shire it is no different. However, this year there appears to be an upbeat expectation of a good result for almost all of our folk on the land. And why not. Already, in July alone we have had over 25 mls of rainfall in the shire.
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According to James Ingrey, Branch Manager and Senior Farm Consultant at the Grenfell branch of Lachlan Fertilizers, the present rainfall timing and the amount is probably the best start to a season in a long time. In fact it has been described as a fantastic start with rainfall being timely and plentiful. This start to the season has seen most crops established right within their optimum sowing window. The good tidings are also being shared by the districts livestock producers who have been blessed with excellent autumn and winter fodder availability. This is especially gratifying given that the present good conditions have arrived following one of the driest summers ever. In the early part of the cropping season producers were challenged by unique insect pressures owing to the prolonged start to the season.
However, despite the challenging start to the season the local producers are currently experiencing a very good soil moisture situation which is sitting on a long-term average with the current potential signalling a very positive situation for the remainder of the season. This again is very good news for our producers.
The only potential drawback following all of the above good news is the persistent talk by some weather experts that there is evidence of the development of a late-season El-Nino (dry spell) weather event.
Another positive in the present scenario is that, although rainfall in the shire has been variable, the whole shire has received a beneficial rainfall. Even the lowest levels of rainfall have been good. This is particularly comforting given that some forecasters were predicting a dry July.
It is also worth noting, according to James that, in regard to livestock producers, this has been one of the best autumn/winter periods on record with more than adequate pasture feed. This has been mainly due to good rainfall and an absence of frost.
With all the good crop and pasture development seen up until now, in conjunction with the full profile moisture that is being experienced, the local industry is well set up as we head to towards spring. All will now depend, as ever in rural life, on the weather to continue to deliver on the potential that has been created up till now.
