RAIN in the state’s western division last week, especially at Little Topar was “magic” according to Langidoon Station co-owner, Andrew Wall.
“This rain has taken the pressure off big-time and will set us up for summer,” he said.
Langidoon Station, between Wilcannia and Broken Hill received 25 millimetres but falls were scattered.
“Some neighbours only received 10mm to 12mm while I heard down the Ivanhoe Road from Wilcannia there was 100mm plus,” Mr Wall said.
“We had a storm four days before that went through the middle of the property and dropped 40mm in three paddocks.
“Everybody’s got a little bit it seems.”
The rain already has summer grasses sprouting.
“All our summer grasses are away, already poking their heads out and there’s a green tinge everywhere,” he said.
“Basically, anywhere north of Wentworth, as it’s more winter country, but up here if we get any rain at any time it will bring feed, and summer feed is bulk.
“Our Mitchell grass has shot and the rain’s also washed the dust off the copper burr that’s about, all good feed.”
Mr Wall said they had a bit of running water, a few tanks had some water in them, but some are now full which was also a relief.
The Wall and Neindorf partnership runs Merino and Samm wool and meat growers and has built a reputation for presenting quality drafts of surplus ewes at Narromine store sheep sales each September.
“But this dry year has seen us pull back and missed the September, October and November sales as we didn’t believe the stock were of sale condition,” Mr Wall said.
“We’ve decided to hold them off now until the January sale.”
Ewes have been split between Langidoon, a Gilgandra property and a recently acquired property at Eulo, Queensland, to spread the risk into different rainfall patterns.
Mr Wall said a follow-up fall storm in three-weeks time would be most welcome at Langidoon which is in a 225mm average rainfall.
Reports had part of the Cobb Highway cut with 300 to 400mm under water in a lake on the Wilcannia end towards Ivanhoe. This is a major route for western pastoralists sending livestock to markets in south east NSW and Victoria.
Rainfall was said to be as much as 125mm in that area.
The higway is still cut in two places.
Hail and wind damage affected Grassmere and Wilandra Stations while 157mm and fence damage was recorded at Fairmont Station.
In the far west Cobar, Balranald and Central Darling shires and Broken Hill councils transport had been at a standstill with the Wool Track Road closed as well as roads leading to Ivanhoe, Balranald, Menindee, Pooncarie, Wilcannia, Broken Hill, Louth, Tilpa and other areas.
Central Darling Council general manager, Michael Boyd, said it only took five to 10mm of rain to close those roads and travellers may have to wait two to three days before they re-open.
“That’s if there is no follow-up rain,” he said.
While most roads are now open those in the Central Darling still closed include Ivanhoe to Menindee and Menindee to Wilcannia (East).
