WIDESPREAD rain across the North West has given winter crops the push they need to pull off a promising harvest.
McGregor Gourlay agronomist, Mick Jensen, Moree, said rain had been well received in the district, with a lot of cereal crops needing soil moisture to get them through to grain fill.
“A lot of them were starting to dry out,” he said.
Rain was relatively widespread across the district, which Mr Jensen said would boost prospects for harvest.
“It’s still a long way off, but things are looking good,” he said.
Since yesterday, Moree has had 30mm of rain, Garah recorded 32mm and Pallamallawa had 38mm.
Local land services, Senior Land Officer, Dale Kirby, Gunnedah, said recent rain has been fantastic for crops and would certainly replenish moisture profiles.
Mr Kirby said there was some areas around Gunnedah and Narrabri that were starting to look for rain.
With Gunnedah receiving 24mm since yesterday and Narrabri racking up a huge 49mm, Mr Kirby said it was good news for the season.
“Early rain back in June may have hampered some planting efforts and caused waterlogging but from this, no one’s suffering too much,” he said.
“For most crops, this rain is purely beneficial.”
Both Mr Kirby and Mr Jensen said after the rain, growers and advisors should increase their crop monitoring for diseases management.
