Soggy start to spring improves pasture growth

20 Oct 2016

Cows standing in a paddock

Pasture growth continued to improve across most of the state as NSW experienced the wettest period on record from winter to early spring, with the wetter than normal conditions likely to continue throughout October.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Seasonal Conditions Coordinator Ian McGowen said during September rainfall was above average across 87 per cent of the state.

“September was the wettest on record for NSW. Most of inland NSW received extremely high rainfall of more than 200-400 per cent of the average,” Mr McGowen said.

“The far west and areas of central west, Riverina and the north west received rainfall of more than 400 per cent of the average.

“During September, most of NSW received 50-200 mm with much of inland NSW receiving 100-200 mm and some areas as high as 200-300 mm or more.

“Pasture growth continued to improve across most of the state, although waterlogging and inundation restricted or slowed pasture growth in some areas.”

Mr McGowen said the conditions resulted in topsoil moisture remaining high during September, particularly across areas of the Riverina, far south, central west and the southern and central tablelands.

“Subsoil moisture levels also continued to increase across NSW. Relative to historical records, subsoil moisture was well above average to extremely high across most of inland NSW and areas of the coast,” Mr McGowen said.

“The extremely wet conditions resulted in major winter crop damage from waterlogging and inundation, particularly in central and southern areas of the state and some areas of the north west. Early indications suggest these crop losses are in excess of $700 million and are expected to rise.

“Lodging of winter cereals and canola is already occurring and may prove to be more of a problem, particularly where crops were inundated. On better drained areas and on lighter country, winter cereal and canola crops are showing average to above average yield potential, with particularly good yield potential for those that were early sown.

“Delays have occurred in ground preparation and weed control for the sowing of cotton, rice and other summer crops, particularly in central and southern NSW. Sowing of cotton has commenced in the north of the state.

“An increased interest in aerial sowing of rice in the south is likely to allow crops to be sown close to the ideal time. If the wet conditions continue, this will restrict the area sown to summer crops and will further delay sowing, which will have an impact on yields.

“High levels of run off continued throughout September. Run off was well above average to extremely high across most of inland NSW, and generally average to above average across the coast. Yearly run off was well above average across most of inland NSW and the south coast.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s rainfall outlook for October to December indicates that wetter conditions are likely across most of NSW, with the highest probability of wetter conditions for the south. Daytime and overnight temperatures are likely to be cooler than normal for the period.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s ENSO outlook status remains at La NiƱa watch.

More information

Media contact: Anne Brook (02) 6763 1163 or 0477 358 305