Growers across south-eastern Australia on farms from Trangie, as pictured in central NSW, to SA are working flat out to finish dry sowing ahead of forecast rain. Photo: Dave Finlay

AS FLOODING impacts the north coast of New South Wales, much of the state’s southern and south-central interior remains bone dry.

The situation is the same in much of central and western Victoria and South Australia as mid-June, the nominal end to the ideal planting window for southern Australia, draws near.

Bureau of Meteorology forecasts currently hold the most hope they have for many weeks for a general rain for the vast area of south-eastern Australia that needs rain to germinate dry-sown crops before winter sets in.

In NSW, the cut-off line between wet topsoil and germinated crops to the north, and dust and dry seed in the ground runs roughly east-west through Parkes.

Growers in central and southern NSW are hoping coastal rain moves inland. Image: BoM

Around 150km south of Parkes, consultant and Barmedman grower John Minogue said he has around two days of sowing barley left to complete the family’s seeding program that also includes canola, wheat, field peas, and oats for cattle or hay.

“We’re frenetically planting crops and looking to the sky for rain from this east-coast low, which is not our normal winter pattern, but we’ll take it,” Mr Minogue said.

The Bureau of Meteorology puts possible rainfall for the West Wyalong district over tomorrow and Friday at up to 30mm, which Mr Minogue said would be ideal to germinate what has been dry sown.

In Vic’s Mallee and Wimmera district, the outlook for coming days puts maximum possible rainfall at around 10mm.

In SA cropping regions away from the coast, that figure sinks to closer to 5mm, but nearer to 10mm on the southern Eyre and Yorke peninsulas.

“As far as the district goes, it’s about 90-95 percent planted by now, and of that, 5pc may have emerged,” Mr Minogue said of the Wyalong district.

“From Parkes south, right through to SA, we all need rain.”

A localised flood through the Minogue’s country in December, and some showers since, means 25-50mm of rain would join up topsoil and subsoil moisture, and get the crop set up for “a half-decent year”.

Mr Minogue said most areas in the southern half of NSW, and into Vic and SA, will rely on rain through winter followed by a soft spring to give crops the chance to realise their potential.

Latest from BoM

Based on its long-range forecast issued May 15, the Bureau of Meteorology said there was no strong indication of rainfall being above or below average for June for most of the south-east, including southern NSW, most of Victoria and large parts of South Australia.

“There is uncertainty in the rainfall forecast for June,” BoM said in statement provided today to Grain Central.

“Rainfall in southern Australia is highly impacted by short-term weather systems such as cold fronts and low-pressure systems.

“They are difficult to predict several weeks or months in advance.”

BoM said the forecast is evolving, and the long-range forecast is updated on Thursday to provide the latest insights on a weekly basis.

“Historically, average rainfall totals for June are 10-50mm for far southern South Australia, most of Victoria, and southern NSW, increasing to 50-100mm for coastal regions and the Great Dividing Range.”

For the last chance of a general break in the optimum window, namely the fortnight beginning May 31, BoM said there is a 20-40pc chance of receiving at least 25mm over three days across much of south-eastern SA, southern and eastern Vic, and south-eastern NSW.

The likelihood increases to 40-80pc in parts of the coastal regions of south-eastern South Australia and southern Victoria.

BoM records indicate the past 15 months have been the driest on record for much of SA and western Vic.

Fingers crossed for that rain.

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