Average or better than average rainfall in July across most of the state has provided many farmers in New South Wales with an excellent winter cropping season.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) seasonal conditions co-ordinator Ian McGowen says the outlook has improved.
"The Bureau is forecasting a higher chance of wetter than normal conditions in the early spring and cooler than average temperatures," he said.
"In July, good rainfall helped to provide above average pasture growth across most of northern and central NSW and areas of the south, and good winter crop growth has occurred in most areas.
Mr McGowen also said that good winter crop growth had occurred in most areas, with the exception of some areas in the far south-west.
"Later sown crops have been slower to develop due to cool temperatures and wetter conditions," he said.
"Forage crops are showing good production, particularly on the tablelands and slopes.
"However, if the current El Niño event has a greater influence on rainfall during the remainder of August and September, crop yields may not reach their full potential over areas of southern and central NSW and the western margin of the north west.
Mr McGovern also warned growers that well advanced early sown crops may have a higher risk of frosting.
"But overall, many primary producers are well placed, especially if we get the forecast follow-up spring rains," he said.
"One not so bright spot is that fact that farm dams levels are low.
"The crops might be doing okay, but there has not been enough runoff to fill dams in many areas of the state."
Topics: agricultural-prices, agricultural-crops, agricultural-machinery, agricultural-policy, rainfall, beef-cattle, sheep-production, nsw, sydney-2000
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Average or better than average rainfall in July across most of the state has provided many farmers in New South Wales with an excellent winter cropping season.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) seasonal conditions co-ordinator Ian McGowen says the outlook has improved.
"The Bureau is forecasting a higher chance of wetter than normal conditions in the early spring and cooler than average temperatures," he said.
"In July, good rainfall helped to provide above average pasture growth across most of northern and central NSW and areas of the south, and good winter crop growth has occurred in most areas.
Mr McGowen also said that good winter crop growth had occurred in most areas, with the exception of some areas in the far south-west.
"Later sown crops have been slower to develop due to cool temperatures and wetter conditions," he said.
"Forage crops are showing good production, particularly on the tablelands and slopes.
"However, if the current El Niño event has a greater influence on rainfall during the remainder of August and September, crop yields may not reach their full potential over areas of southern and central NSW and the western margin of the north west.
Mr McGovern also warned growers that well advanced early sown crops may have a higher risk of frosting.
"But overall, many primary producers are well placed, especially if we get the forecast follow-up spring rains," he said.
"One not so bright spot is that fact that farm dams levels are low.
"The crops might be doing okay, but there has not been enough runoff to fill dams in many areas of the state."
Topics: agricultural-prices, agricultural-crops, agricultural-machinery, agricultural-policy, rainfall, beef-cattle, sheep-production, nsw, sydney-2000
First posted
Features
Software that can recognise plant species using leaf photos could be used in crop pest detection.
A large number of NT cattle have potentially been exposed to dangerous toxins by wandering on to mine sites.
Cassie Hough
Senator Jackie Lambie and State Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham at the Liverpool Plains tractor protest.
Jodie Gunders
Search for frost resistant gene as climate change blamed for increased frost damage to winter cereal crops.
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