Heavy falls during a storm cell across the south-west slopes were a mixed blessing for many landholders last week.
With reports varying from 20-100mm around Young, Harden and Boorowa it is hoped the rain will be of some benefit for pastures and future crops despite the repairable damage done to infrastructure.
When 100mm fell in a downpour in less than two hours at Pleasant View, Young, Paul and Kate Sevier were glad to see it although they will be spending time repairing fences that were washed away.
“Paul spent quite a few days shoveling debris from fences so he could lift them to make them stock proof,” Mrs Sevier said.
“Our sheep were able to find shelter and some ground cover protected most of the topsoil.”
Positively, all farm dams on Pleasant View are now full and there was some response from pastures, but the rain was so intense the soil was unable to soak up a decent amount.
The Sevier’s are pushing on with their farming operation having maintained the condition of their sheep through the drought, but are not prepared to consider the rain a drought-breaking event.
“We can only hope we will get some follow up because the germination of our pastures will be at risk,” Mrs Sevier said.
In a move to step back from their intensive sheep breeding operation, the Sevier’s are preparing for their regular ram sale and a dispersal of their Gromark Gentics sheep stud after 30 years of breeding.
“Ideally we would like to sell the stud as a whole to pass the genetic baton onto a breeder to continue the work,” Mrs Sevier said.
The ram sale and stud dispersal of 423 sheep will be offered in 91 lots and it will be a rare opportunity to purchase high maternal performance and productive terminal genetics.
East of Young, at Kingsvale, Tony Manchester has only measured 34mm in two falls and although it has soaked in, he thought it is still too early for him to start sowing although he has heard of some farmers putting early crops of barley and canola in on country that received a bit more rain.
“We are still looking for good rain and it will be important to get some followup in the next week to 10 days and not too much hot weather,” he said.