Thorough planning, including where and when to spend money - farmers can optimise this season and prime the beginning of recovery for when rain comes.

Working on the things that can be controlled, and being flexible enough to do what is possible with the factors that cannot, will bring the best dividends.

Keeping costs as low as possible will help optimise potential to earn money.

“Profit level needs to be maximised, not just yield,” Condobolin farmer, Graham McDonald, said.

“However, there are some costs that need to happen, you can get into trouble by compromising yield when you cut corners by trying to save money.”

Every farmer’s situation is different.

It is best to tailor risks so as not to be excessive and to match your circumstances. Stay rational and don’t take risks you would not normally take.

Planting costs are the same for a high performing paddock and a poorer one, and each paddock will not bring the same return per hectare, so prioritise resources on the better performing ones.

Focus on maximising crop production not livestock grazing. Weed growth on fallows uses water and nutrients.

Ground cover is important for moisture conservation; some weed growth will decrease evaporation losses but balance this with the knowledge that two to four leaf weeds are often the cheapest and easiest to kill.

“Our key to optimising yield is doing each operation at the right time,” Mr McDonald said.

“Careful monitoring is critical.”

Conserving moisture prior to planting and getting the best results from weed control is critical. Monitor every paddock five to eight days after any significant rain.

Choose disease tolerant crop varieties and ensure they are sown on time or early. Choose tried and tested varieties. Keep the cropping program simple and grow the crops you know you grow well.

Fertiliser is a big cost and may be minimised if residual fertiliser from last season remains. Paddock history and some soil tests will help with this decision.

Weed control can get very expensive, so it is vital to identify the cleanest paddocks, where weeds will easily be controlled with preemergence herbicides, even if there is a wet spring.

Minimise use where possible without putting at risk future crops by allowing uncontrolled weed buildup.

Where possible, avoid paddocks which were weedy last year, or have historically performed poorly.

Where appropriate, spraying to control weeds in preference to cultivating paddocks will deliver big fuel savings.

Pre-emergence chemicals are generally the cheapest and most effective option.

Their use needs to be considered based on paddock history and the farmer’s attitude to risk.

Those are the keys to the outdoor activity. In the office, budgeting and cash flows are more important than ever.

Focus on enterprises predicted to have the best returns and grow crops which offer more than one option for use. Conservative yield estimates are required, given the lack of stored moisture.

A bumper year is still possible if good rainfall comes prior to planting or if in-crop rainfall is high.

While input levels at sowing may reflect a more average season, paddock history will give a good guide to fertiliser requirements.

Agronomic support is always available.

NSW Department of Primary Industries agronomists are happy to make visits or answer questions on the phone (both free of charge). There is also agronomic support from local agribusiness.

Contact your local district agronomist, drought support worker, or rural financial counsellor.