A WEEK of soaking rain across most of the drought stricken areas of north western NSW will allow farmers to look more positively toward the 2014 winter cropping program.
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Widespread rains across the North West last week has provided one of the best autumn breaks for the region in recent years, sorely needed after an extremely difficult 2013.
Most of the North West received 75 millimetres to 120mm with some areas recording more than 160mm.
Large parts of the major wheat growing country including Burren Junction, Rowena, Merrywinebone extending eastward to Narrabri and Bellata enjoyed 100mm to 150mm of steady rain.
The soaking will go a long way toward replenishing a sizable part of the moisture deficit left after a dry season last year.
Unfortunately the rain tapered away near Walgett where totals fell to 30mm to 35mm for the week.
Totals were patchy around Moree which recorded about 70mm for the week while areas towards Mungindi received more than double this.
The rainfall extended eastwards into the Liverpool Plains where Gunnedah received 130mm for the week and Quirindi 65mm.
Last week's rain was too late to benefit sorghum crops but will add valuable soil moisture for winter crops.
Rainfall totals diminished in the central and southern areas of the State but were still well received.
The Central West recorded 35mm to 75mm for the week which followed good recent rain, making it one of the best starts in more than a decade.
Hay, Hillston and Lake Cargelligo received about 10mm to 15mm for the week but are still in good shape ahead of winter crop planting following handy rain in recent weeks.
The Southern Slopes recorded 20mm to 50mm for the week, which has cemented an ideal start to the season.
More rain may be on its way again for this week, with forecasters tipping another significant system towards the weekend.
Local grain markets came under pressure last week as buyers lowered their ideas following the season changing rain.
New crop wheat ASX wheat futures fell to $315 a tonne after trading as high as $328/t a week earlier.
Nearby cash prices also came under pressure.
Stockfeed wheat bids into northern NSW fell by $5/t to $7/t to $336/t delivered Newcastle.
Southern NSW prices were also lower with buyers dropping Port Kembla Australian Premium White (APW) bids by $3/t to $321/t delivered.
Farmers are looking to plant oats and canola on last week's rain.
Seed suppliers are saying the phones are running hot as farmers chase planting seed.
Oats plantings are expected to be up this year as growers look for quick feed following the rain and replenish depleted on farm feed supplies.
Last week's rain is seen as ideal for canola planting in the central west.
The area sown to canola in the Central West was sharply lower last year with the dry start to the season and growers are keen to get it back into the rotation.
Last week, the Bureau of Meteorology said that it was now likely that an El Niño would develop in the coming months, as tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures continue to rise.
The warming ocean temperatures also corresponded with a recent sharp fall in the Southern Oscillation Index which is which is seen as a confirmation of an approaching El Niño.
Despite the increasing likelihood of an El Niño, the April to June seasonal rainfall outlook for southern NSW is viewed as normal according to the Bureau, although the northern areas are expected to be drier than normal.
International grain values were choppy last week ahead of some important reports to be released this week.
US Hard Red Winter wheat finished the week down $7/t at $343/t (free-on-board) while Soft Red Winter wheat lost $1/t to $296/t (FOB).
European wheat prices were steady with French wheat unchanged at $298/t (FOB).
Dry weather across the US Southern Plains provided support for international wheat prices early last week but prices fell late in the week following better than expected rain.
With the exception of the US Hard Red Winter (HRW) area, northern hemisphere winter wheat conditions in Europe, the Black Sea and the US Soft Red Winter (SRW) are viewed as favourable.
