WET paddocks and waterlogging across parts of the New South Wales farming zone are impacting crop development and preventing farmers accessing their paddocks for vital spraying and late sowing operations.

After three years of drought, the return to more favourable seasons has been a great boost for crop prospects, but has led to excessive moisture in some areas.

Ironically, many farmers could well do without the weather front that is set to bring more rain to the NSW cropping zone tomorrow.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting widespread rains across the NSW farming belt tomorrow, with some falls of up to 25 and 50 millimetres.

B&W Rural manager at Moree in north west NSW, Peter Birch, said wet paddocks and areas of waterlogging were an issue for growers in the region.

(Photo: Steve Gibson)

“Some of the later-sown crops that got rain on top of them aren’t looking too flash. But, in the scheme of things, most crops are looking good. Our biggest problem is getting spray rigs on the country,” he said.

“All the ephemeral creeks are flowing permanently now. There is going to be water in all the creeks and rivers for a fair while now.”

On the Liverpool Plains, agronomist Pete McKenzie, said drought was now a distant memory for growers in the area as they grappled with managing wet paddocks and patches of waterlogging.

He said the waterlogging had had only minimal impact on crops and “anything that was sown early is okay”.

“The biggest risk is not being able to get the rest of the crop in, with the last of the chickpeas and late wheat,” he said.

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