The report reflects on the rain which impacted some cereal crops through out the growing region this month too.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) technical specialist grain services, Peter Matthews said storm damage to some mature cereal crops and had delayed harvest. “The intense rainfall and strong winds caused winter crops to lodge and has put grain at risk of being downgraded,” Mr Matthews said.

He said the rainfall had benefited the growth of summer-growing pastures in the north and west, and perennial pastures across the slopes, tablelands and coast. “Now the return to dry and warm conditions across the cropping area is welcomed to aid in preventing further crop damage and losses in the quality of cut hay, and allow harvest to continue,” he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s seasonal outlook for November to January indicates a near-neutral rainfall outlook for much of the region.

This means there is a near to  equal chance of drier or wetter than normal conditions occurring. 

Seasonal Conditions Coordinator Ian McGowen  said the effects of an El Niño event on rainfall over NSW tend to decrease during summer, but temperatures are likely to be higher than normal.

“Initially, it looked possible that the El Niño would end and be followed by a La Niña event next year ... however, a return to neutral conditions now appears more likely,” Mr McGowen said.