Last week’s rain was the perfect tonic for the region’s winter crops, which were waiting for a decent shower.
“It’s been a bit of a game changer, the rain is very timely,” said agricultural consultant Steve Windress who measured 22 millimetres in his gauge in Wee Waa last week while more than 30mm was measured near Bellata and the Wheat Research, just outside Narrabri.
“We’ve had about a month without much rain and the crops were starting to feel it.”
Mr Windress said the staple winter crops growing around the Narrabri region include wheat, barley, chickpeas, faba beans and canola.
“The prospects for winter crops are looking good,” he said.
“There is a concern for early planted crops that the frost may affect them and damage yield – it’s always a concern and a bit of an unknown.”
The farming sector is bouncing back after far too many years of drought and it’s hoped 2020’s bumper harvest will happen all over again this November as agriculture continues to be the best good news story in town.
“I think people’s expectations are quite high with the yield and quality,” said Mr Windress.
“Winter crop pricing is very good.
“It’s a real positive for the whole area, two years back-to-back is something we haven’t seen in a while.”
Another uncommon sight in the paddocks is cotton being picked at this time of year.
Mr Windress said rain in December created an opportunity for some growers in the region to plant dryland cotton later than usual and the picking of those crops is just wrapping up now.
“It’s not always an ideal scenario – the quality can be pretty poor.”
Mr Windress said a wet spring was on the forecast and many farmers were currently considering planting sorghum, along with cotton, as a summer crop.
“Sorghum seed has been in high demand this year.”
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