Irrigation restrictions on the Bega and Bemboka rivers have been lifted after soaking rain gave a welcome bonus to Bega dairy farmers struggling through a long hot dry spell.
An average of 25mm fell in the Bega Valley and larger totals were reported on the coast last week, helping river flows and dam levels. There has also been milder weather. While catastrophic fire conditions hit parts of northern NSW on Sunday, the Far South Coast was the only district in the state with a low to moderate fire danger rating.
The recent rain has helped sprout kikuyu which was struggling to grow over the summer period.
Melissa Balas, farm Sustainability and Technical Services Manager, with Bega Cheese said the rain had come as a great relief to many dairy farmers on the Far South Coast. Voluntary restrictions had been brought into place to allow environmental flows on the Bemboka and Bega rivers. It meant farmers could only irrigate at restricted times at night. “The farmers now have no restrictions except their water licences after the rain came through, it’s a real incentive for them. It was gentle soaking rain. Farmers were tired having to get up at all hours to irrigate.”
The irrigated rye grass pastures along the rivers are essential for farmers maintaining a consistent flow of milk to Bega Cheese.
Dairy farmer Greg Heffernan said the rain was helpful and would allow him to get an oats crop in that he thought he would never be able to. “It’s a start,” he said. “A slight turn for the better.”
The January on ground seasonal report from Local Land Services found:
“Coastal parts of the South East region have experienced hotter and drier than normal conditions. Green feed exists only on the deeper and irrigated soils.
“Most areas have less than 500kgDMha green feed available.
“Stock average fat score 3 which is typical for January. On the other hand, parts of the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla are in serious deficiencies with poor rain for 6 months leading to low ground cover (70-80%), common supplementary feeding and destocking.”