“The rain has fallen at a very good time for winter crop planting – it’s very good news,” said Wee Waa agronomist Steve Windress about the recent wet weather.
In the last week, Wee Waa has recorded about 42 millimetres of rain, Narrabri 28mm and about 58mm has been recorded near Bellata.
Wee Waa farmer Daniel Kahl said he was feeling optimistic about agriculture in 2020.
“Plants are growing, birds are chirping,” said Mr Kahl.
“We’re 100 days in and on Friday the rain gauge notched up double last year’s record low rainfall of 195mm,” said Mr Kahl.
Mr Windress said the rain “puts growers in our area in a very fortunate position” for winter crop planting.
“They’ll be looking at oats for stockfeed, wheat, barley and grain legume crops,” said Mr Windress.
“I think the rain we’ve had has certainly set us up well for a promising winter crop.
“Agriculture is looking quite good and stable compared to where it was 12 months ago when it was on shaky ground.”
Cuttabri farmer Hayley Judd said she recorded about 35mm of glorious rain over the Easter long weekend and her children Demi-Renee and Wylie Cruickshank couldn’t wait to go outside and play in the puddles.
“It’s just been an absolute godsend after years of drought to finally see a bit of grass and have the dust storms stop – it’s just great,” said Ms Judd.
Ms Judd said that her family only had “a handful of cattle” and “a couple of hundred sheep” because they sold stock during the drought, but said the animals were enjoying having some feed on the ground.
Ms Judd’s children, Demi-Renee and Wylie, attend Wee Waa Public School but have been learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said the family felt “pretty lucky to be on a property to keep the children occupied and where they have space to play.”
