DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT:
AUGUST 1996
Some good falls of rain were recorded in the western and south western
areas of the State. This rain following up rainfall of the previous month
has provided welcome relief for many graziers in those areas. Much of the
northern area of the State received little to no effective rainfall except
the coastal fringe and cane growing areas north of Ingham. The Charters
Towers and Townsville areas again missed out on beneficial rain and drought
conditions deteriorate in the Dalrymple Shire with reports of well
established eucalypts dying as a result of the continuing drought. In
Central Queensland rainfall was very patchy and the more drought affected
areas received very little useful rain. Good falls were generally limited
to some areas of the coast and areas above Emerald. In the South and South
East Regions useful falls of rain were recorded in many centres during the
last week of the month. These falls will assist grain growers and small
crop farmers preparing for spring planting's. In the latter part of the
month crop damage due to frost were reported from the South, South East and
Central Regions although it may be some time yet before exact crop losses
due to frosting are known.
During the month the part Shire of Herberton had its drought status
revoked. Therefore at the end of August, 18 Shires and 6 part Shires are
declared drought stricken along with 594 Individually Drought Declared
Properties (IDP's) in 33 other Shires. This represents approximately 23%
of the State or 11,485 out of the 55,545 Department of Primary Industries
registered livestock enterprises.
RAINFALL
North Region: Scattered falls of rain were recorded in some areas of the
North during the month, but the more badly drought affected areas of the
Region received little to no effective relief. The higher monthly totals
were again limited to the coastal fringe with Innisfail recording over
100mm. Tully and Babinda received over 50mm while other totals varied
between 10mm and 30mm. The Townsville area again missed out on productive
rainfall and has to date received less than half the average rainfall for
the period.
West Region: Areas of the Channel Country and the south-west corner of the
State received some useful falls of rain. These falls extended to the
south of a line from Boulia to Blackall. Eromanga, Cunnamulla, Longreach
and Quilpie received in excess of 40mm, while Charleville and Blackall
received in excess of 20mm. The northern area of the Region around
Cloncurry and McKinlay again received very little beneficial rainfall.
Central Region: In the Central Region scattered falls of between 10mm and
30mm were recorded in many areas. Clermont and Capella received totals in
excess of 40mm, while Emerald, Comet and Blackwater received in excess of
20mm. The coastal fringe again received scattered falls with Gladstone
receiving 30mm.
South East Region: Much of the Region experienced useful rainfall during
the month with falls ranging from 20mm to 80mm. Kingaroy and Proston
received in excess of 40mm while many areas in the Lockyer and Brisbane
Valleys recorded upwards of 20mm. Moogerah Dam recorded 68mm and
Beaudesert 38mm. These falls should prove beneficial to vegetable growers
as well as grain farmers and cattlemen.
South Region: Most areas of the Region experienced beneficial rainfall
totals for the month with the majority of centres recording in excess of
20mm.. The majority of falls were recorded during the last few days of the
month and should aid pasture and crop growth. Toowoomba recorded 50mm
while some areas around Stanthorpe and Warwick recorded in excess of 60mm.
Goondiwindi, St George, Roma, Dalby and Pittsworth all recorded in excess
of 30mm.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: Light frosts during the month hindered pasture growth in
some areas but the majority of the Region experienced little change from
the previous month. Conditions vary from Shire to Shire with the majority
of the coastal fringe and Tablelands in fair to good condition for this
time of the year. Inland, conditions have not improved and cattle
condition reflects the availability and quality of feed. In many areas
supplementary feeding has increased as cattle owners try to get cattle
through to the end of the dry season in reasonable condition. Most areas
of the Gulf and Cape are fairly well placed for this time of the year and
should have enough feed reserves till the end of the dry season. The
exception to this is the Etheridge Shire which has deteriorated rapidly
after a very patchy wet season.
West Region: Isolated rainfall during the month has had little positive
impact in the more badly affected Shires of Winton, Richmond, Flinders and
McKinlay Shires. Conversely in the channel country and far south-west
rainfall totals have been good and pasture response has been excellent due
to the mild temperatures experienced during the month. In these areas the
follow-up rain to the good falls recorded the previous month has the
beginnings of a good season for the country south of Boulia. In the more
badly drought affected areas fodder continues to be introduced and cattle
and sheep sales continue to record good yarding's as producers continue to
lighten stock numbers.
Central Region: Heavy frosts were experienced throughout much of the
Region during the month with a resultant affect on the quality of available
feed. Consequently many graziers have started to supplementary feed stock
to maintain condition for as long as possible. In the more drought
affected areas the introduction of fodder continues but the reports of
mortalities remains low as overall stock numbers on most properties remain
light after successive years of drought. Stock condition throughout the
Region continues to reflect pasture availability and quality with the
majority of animals starting to slip as is normal for this time of year.
South East Region: Pasture quality throughout much of the Region has been
affected by heavy frosts but quantity remains high. Recent rainfall has
prompted some producers to burn off large areas of pasture, a practice not
seen for many years in the Region. The availability of winter clovers and
herbages has aided livestock production and consequently stock remain in
good condition for this time of the year. Low cattle prices and the
abundance of feed have slowed the numbers of cattle moving to sale and
there have been no reports of cattle being sent on agistment. Some normal
production feeding is occurring to supplement cattle through the winter
months.
South Region: Although frosts have reduced the quality of standing feed
the continued growth of winter clovers and herbages has offset this decline
in feed quality in many parts of the Region. Areas receiving useful
rainfall totals during the month should continue to produce winter feed
provided weather conditions remain mild. The overall condition stock
throughout the Region remains good to excellent due to the quantity and
quality of feed.. With cattle prices remaining depressed, and availability
of feed remaining high, sale numbers continue to be low. Conversely, sheep
yarding's continue to be steady as returns for slaughter and replacement
animals remain good.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: On the Tablelands, shortage of rainfall during the month has
necessitated an increased demand for irrigation. Water allocations from
many of the areas creeks have had to be placed on a roster system to cope
with demand. At Bowen the harvest of corn, tomatoes, capsicums, beans and
rockmelons is continuing. Routine spelling of ground on the heavier soils
is being used to counter salt build-up from the use of poor quality water
and lack of conditions for leaching. In the cane growing areas to the
south of Ingham, this year is starting to resemble the bad season of 1994.
Good rainfall is needed urgently to reduce the adverse impact of the
current dry conditions on the ratoon crop and on the late plant cane.
Central Region: August has been a fairly dry month with little to no
productive rainfall recorded in the farming areas. Reports of large crop
losses due to severe frost damage have been reported from the Callied and
Dawson Valleys. Losses vary from 0% to 90% depending on locality and age
of the crop affected. There has been at least on report from the Central
Highlands of a frosted wheat crop being cut and put down for silage. In
some areas much of the wheat crop has been water stressed and has only just
begun to mature. It will need further follow-up rain to ensure a
harvestable crop.
South East Region: Severe frost damage to winter crops occurred in some
areas of the Region during the month, although it may be some time yet
before the full extent of the damage can be determined. Reports from the
Boondooma area indicate that some wheat crops in the western section have
been affected by stem frost. In the South Burnett winter crop planting's
have been completed with some earlier planting's affected by preceding dry
periods. In the Central and North Burnett crops have responded well to the
recent rainfall but follow up falls will be needed to ensure a good
harvest. In the coastal areas the crushing season has continued without
major interruption from rain and all reports indicate that the harvest will
reach its target. The outlook for horticulture in the Region remains
favourable with most farms having adequate water stored for spring
planting's. In the Gayndah district the citrus harvest has realised lower
than average yields due to dry conditions experienced early in the growing
season.
South Region: Mild to severe frosting occurred throughout much of the
Region on the 20 and 21 August. It was especially savage in western areas
of the Region due to the advanced nature of many crops. The full impact of
the frosts will not be known until harvest, but estimates from some areas
indicate losses of between 25% and 50%. Damage to chick pea crops may be
reduced to some extent by follow up rainfall but winter cereals in the
worst hit areas will have little chance of recovery. Root Lesion Nematode
continues to spread throughout the Goondiwindi area while on the Darling
Downs the pest has already been responsible for large losses in wheat and
chickpea crops. Vegetable growers have had above ground storage's
replenished by recent rainfall which should ensure adequate water supplies
for spring production. The cold weather experienced during the month was
considered beneficial by fruit growers on the Granite Belt who also have
adequate water supplies for spring and summer production.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: Limited rainfall totals during the month has done little to
alleviate the continued shortage of underground and surface water in some
parts of the Region. The continued need for irrigation in the
horticultural areas places further strain on supplies of surface and
underground water. On the dry tropical coast supplies of underground water
are generally worse than normal for this time of year. This trend has also
become evident in many inland areas but has been offset to some extent by
the availability of surface water. Supplies of surface water are expected
to decline rapidly in many inland areas as temperatures increase and the
dry season continues.
West Region: In the areas which received good rainfall totals during the
last two months, surface water supplies have been replenished to some
degree but further falls will be needed to top up storage's. In the
northern areas, shortages in surface water and underground supplies
continue with an increased need for water carting occurring on some
properties.
Central Region: There were recession flows only in the Fitzroy,
Boyne-Calliope and in the Pioneer basin. There were no opportunities for
out of allocation water anywhere in the Region. In addition underground
supplies continue to recede and are reaching critical in some areas. The
only district to experience complete recharge this year was the Boyne River
valley in the area Builyan to Boynedale.
South East Region: Ground water levels remain variable throughout the
Region and stream flows have slowed considerably but are consistent with
normal seasonal occurrences. Storage capacities in most of the Region's
dams and weirs have remained stable.
South Region: There has been little to no effective replenishment of
underground supplies on the Darling Downs. Off stream irrigation storage
capacities remain high throughout most of the Region, as does stock water
storage's. Dam capacities throughout the Region also remain high due to
the good inflows received earlier in the year.
OUTLOOK
The average SOI for August was +5.3, while the average SOI for the 30 days
ending 4 September was +2.5 The SOI trend during July-August was phase 2
(consistently positive).
Most climate forecast systems are suggesting 'average to slightly above
average' rainfall for the next three months in Eastern Australia. Thus the
probability of exceeding median rainfall in these areas, is about 70%.
Exceptions are coastal districts from Nambour to north-eastern Victoria and
parts of the north Burnett and Booringa Shire where probabilities are about
55%.
Information provided by:
REGIONAL DELIVERY
Enquiries to: Ros Moloney
Primary Industries Building, 80 Ann Street, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Q 4001
Telephone: (07) 3239 3181
Facsimile: (07) 3239 3454
National Agricultural Monitoring System (NAMS)
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The National Agricultural Monitoring System (NAMS) provides current and historical climate, production, pasture and commodity information for agricultural industries at the national, state and regional scales, in user-friendly graphs and maps. NAMS is primarily designed to streamline Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance applications and assessments. NAMS can be accessed at www.nams.gov.au. This web-based tool is funded by the Australian, State and Territory governments and contains modelled analyses provided by Queensland Departments of Natural Resources & Water and Primary Industries & Fisheries. |
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