THE Mallee was virtually split into two contrasting sides this autumn season, with growers in the north starting their farming season with greater confidence than those in the south-east.
However, on the whole, the Mallee and south-west Riverina experienced a drier autumn than normal.
The growers affected badly by the dry conditions were in the region’s south-east, with Donald and Sea Lake recording just less than two thirds of their mean historical rainfall between March and May, with two days left to go in the season.
Further east, Kerang fared even worse, with just a little more than half the expected rainfall over the last three months.
Birchip Cropping Group research officer Deanne Ferrier said growers in the south-eastern Mallee area were predominantly dry-land farmers, making the lack of rainfall harder to deal with.
“We’ve had less than average [rainfall] at this point — it’s hard to say if a little area’s had a shower but across the board it’s really dry in the top-soil,” Ms Ferrier said.
“It’s a little challenging given we don’t have any sub-soil moisture, and the outlook for El Nino is strong.
“Currently there’s little moisture in the top-soil, so most of [the farmers] have taken a conservative approach to crop parts being sown.
“Rainfall is needed to generate some renewed confidence for the season ahead.”
Following a record dry summer, Swan Hill was also rainfall-deficient over autumn, recording just 60 percent of its mean seasonal rainfall — though this could improve with showers expected to hit over the next couple of days.
In stark contrast, growers in the north of the Swan Hill region — particularly Robinvale, Balranald, Ouyen and Moulamein — enjoyed heavy showers, particularly in April, that helped them get close, or above, their average autumnal rainfall.
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources agronomist Dale Grey said the north of the Mallee received the lion’s share of the recent rainfall.
“April had a fantastic start in the northern Mallee — really on the line north of Ouyen to Murrayville — where they had up to 50mm which got them off to a fantastic start to get their crops sown early, and get them up and away,” Mr Grey said.
“The northern Mallee is the only place that’s had some stored sub-soil moisture as a result of that large rain in April.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian. (May 29)
