A return to rainfall means good news for Aussie farmers

A positive weather forecast of above average rainfall and average summer temperatures has many Australian farmers hopeful for a bumper summer cropping season.

The Bureau of Meteorology has reported a 70 per cent chance of La Niña developing in Australia, indicating a promising rainfall prediction for many areas of the country.

Andrew Short from Pacific Seeds said that the most recent three-month outlook has many growers feeling very positive about the upcoming cropping season, especially after a string of difficult summer seasons.

“Both the predicted rainfall and temperature outlook are looking very encouraging. The sentiment amongst farmers has greatly improved, especially after seeing some good rainfall recently,” said Mr Short.

“We’ve already had some strong fronts coming through over the last two months which have been helping to finish off some of the winter crops and also to build moisture for summer cropping.

Insights from ABARES suggest that better seasonal conditions are expected to see the value of farm production increase to $61 billion in 2020–21, the third straight year over $60 billion. This is driven by a strong forecast rebound in grain production, up 15 per cent to $30.8 billion.

Allora-based grower David Peters said that the current weather projections have him entering the summer season with confidence.

“It’s been an extremely tough few years – we nearly didn’t plant a summer crop last year. So it’s great to have something to look forward to.

“There is a lot of optimism in the agriculture community at the moment, we’re all planning for a big summer crop.

Mr Short said that the promising weather forecast has been reflected in seed demand, with Pacific Seeds seeing an increase in summer crop orders compared to last year.

“Due to an improved water situation in New South Wales and Victoria, we’ve already seen very high demand for corn and equally high demand for grain sorghum in Queensland.

“People in the community have seen the three-month forecast and are encouraged by a return to wetter conditions.

“While the weather outlook is still a prediction, the signs are extremely promising – we can only hope it lives up to expectations and delivers a much needed successful season,” Mr Short said.