WINTER crops in the Riverina couldn’t look better after above-average rainfall in April.
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According to the latest Seasonal Conditions Reportco-ordinator Ian McGowan rainfall was above average across 79 per cent of NSW
“The April rainfall stimulated sowings of dual purpose and later-maturing winter crops across most cropping areas, switching to earlier maturing varieties in May – and early sown forage crops have responded well,” Mr McGowen said.
“During April, rainfall across the state ranged from 8mm to 535 mm,” he said.
“Wetter than normal conditions are likely across most of NSW between May and July, with the probabilities increasing towards the west,” Mr McGowen said.
“This is as a result of warmer than normal sea surface temperatures to the north west and north east of Australia.”
Wagga farmer Andrew Dumaresq, “Gregadoo Park”, said the conditions were good.
Speaking during a visit from DuPont vice president, Dr Bill Niebur, Mr Dumaresq said winter crops were emerging well.
“We have had a good start with decent rainfall and the crops are starting to come through,” he said. “Things couldn’t look better,” he said.
The rain wasn’t just welcomed by cropping farmers. Graziers were also welcoming the top up to on-farm water storage. And lucerne pastures received a welcome boost.
The latest Department of Primary Industries’ seasonal conditions report shows that last month’s widespread rainfall across the State has put many farmers in good stead for the winter cropping season.
DPI Seasonal Conditions Coordinator Ian McGowen said that rainfall during April was above average across 79 per cent of NSW, including most of the State’s cropping areas.
“The April rainfall stimulated sowings of dual purpose and later-maturing winter crops across most cropping areas, switching to earlier maturing varieties in May – and early sown forage crops have responded well,” Mr McGowen said.
“During April, rainfall across the State ranged from 8-535 mm, and was above average across most of the state. “The lowest rainfall fell across areas of north western and western NSW, and ranged from 8mm to 25mm.
“Unfortunately in the north west, in areas west of the Newell Highway, the rain has generally been insufficient for winter crop sowings, although some dry sowing has occurred.” Recent flooding has affected pastures and forage crops in areas of the Sydney basin, Hunter Valley and mid-north coast, with cane and soybean crops, macadamias and bananas all affected by heavy rainfall on the north coast.
Last week the Bureau of Meteorology updated its ENSO tracker status to 'El Niño', indicating that the Pacific Ocean is in the early stages of an El Niño event.
An El Niño event is generally associated with below-average rainfall across NSW (particularly inland NSW) during winter and spring, above average daytime temperatures, lower than average streamflow and an increased risk of frost.
The report indicates that although an El Niño event has commenced, the current seasonal rainfall outlook is generally positive.“Wetter than normal conditions are likely across most of NSW between May and July, with the probabilities increasing towards the west,” Mr McGowen said.