Extensive rainfall throughout November has brought mixed fortunes for the State’s farmers, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Technical Specialist Oils and Pulses, Don McCaffery, said today. 

“The State has received a significant soaking throughout November, with most areas receiving significant rainfall and some rain gauges recording over 300mm for the month,” Mr McCaffery said. 

“Whilst welcome in most areas, the widespread rain has brought with it some extensive flooding and crop damage in the central and northern regions and has hampered the winter harvest in a number of key cropping regions. 

“Winter crop production is currently forecast at 11.23 million tonnes, down on last year’s 13.65 million tonne crop. 

“Wheat, barley and chickpeas have all been downgraded as a result of the ongoing rain and the delays in harvest.  

“Gunnedah, Narrabri and Moree have been the worst affected and the full extent of crop losses won’t be known until the flood waters move through the river systems.  

“As a result of extensive flooding and pre harvest sprouting in some of these northern areas, over 40,000 hectares of wheat may not be harvested.”   

Mr McCaffery said the harvest is around 75 per cent complete across the State, with some western areas winding up their harvest and some central and northern regions areas still at a standstill due to flooding.   

“Off the back of the extensive rainfall, soil profiles are brimming and the prospects for a bumper summer crop continue to improve,” Mr McCaffery said. 

“Current estimates put the summer crop at 687,000 hectares, up around 20 per cent from last year.   

“Irrigation water supplies are full and many non-traditional cropping regions are turning to summer grain and fodder crops to take advantage of the good November rains.” 

The December NSW Grains Report is available on the NSW DPI website – www.dpi.nsw.gov.au 

Media contact: Steve Green (02) 6391 3686, 0427 192 658