DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT
DECEMBER 1996
Useful rainfall was recorded across much of
Queensland during the month with the exception of
the far west, south-west and north-west of the
State where only isolated scattered falls occurred.
Storm rain has brought relief for some of the
drought affected properties around Townsville and
Charters Towers but this will be temporary at best,
unless further good falls are recorded during
January. Much of central Queensland again received
useful falls except for areas around Clermont and
the northern section of Jericho Shire and east to
Nebo Shire. Some areas in the west around Longreach
received only light patchy rainfall and much of the
McKinlay area remains quite dry. In the south and
south-east of the State useful totals were recorded
in most centres with the exception of some areas to
the south and north of Roma which missed out on
productive rainfall and are beginning to become
quite dry.
At the end of December, 17 Shires and 5 part Shires
are declared drought stricken along with 585
individually Drought Declared Properties (IDP's) in
31 other Shires. This represents approximately 22%
of the State or 9557 out of the 55,545 Department
of Primary Industries registered livestock
enterprises.
RAINFALL
North Region: Storm rain continued during the
month but falls were patchy and some properties
have still not received any beneficial rainfall
during the last two months. The majority of the
Cape and the Gulf are in reasonable condition for
this time of the year as is the coastal fringe
north of Townsville. Cairns, Babinda, Innisfail and
Tully all recorded in excess of 200mm for the
month. Lesser totals were; Townsville 51mm, Bowen
31mm, Charters Towers 39mm, Herberton 111mm,
Malanda 142mm, Croydon 147mm and Mareeba 42mm.
West Region: Rainfall throughout much of the
Region during the month was scattered with totals
generally not exceeding 100mm. Much of the south-
west corner received only isolated falls and
conditions are beginning to deteriorate in some
areas around Quilpie. Similarly in the north and
far west of the Region, lack of substantial
rainfall during the last two months is beginning to
have an affect on pasture in some areas. During the
month Quilpie recorded 50mm, Charleville 26mm,
Blackall 65mm, Longreach 70mm, Aramac 98, Richmond
104mm, and Mt Isa 74mm.
Central Region: Average to above average rainfall
occurred across much of the Region during the month
and most areas are in fair to good condition for
this time of the year. Totals generally ranged from
50mm to 100mm except for the Clermont and Nebo
areas where falls were substantially reduced. Comet
received 77mm, Dingo 74mm, Banana 130mm and Emerald
148mm. On the coastal fringe Rockhampton received
84mm and Mackay 106mm.
South East Region: Rainfall occurred in most
areas of the Region during the month with the
majority of the falls ranging between 50mm and
100mm. Some areas around Toogoolawah and Gympie
have received lighter falls and will need follow up
shortly to alleviate the affects of high summer
temperatures. During the month Eidsvold received
89mm, Mundubbera 99mm, Esk 125mm, Kingaroy 95mm,
Kilkivan 86mm, Gatton 78mm and Beaudesert 217mm. On
the coastal fringe Bundaberg received 101mm, Gympie
149mm, Pomona 205mm and Nambour 65mm.
South Region: Useful rainfall occurred across
much of the Region during the month with the
majority of totals between 50mm and 150mm. To the
south and north of Roma falls were significantly
reduced and conditions have dried out during the
month due to high temperatures and hot winds. On
the eastern Downs Clifton recorded 118mm, Toowoomba
187mm, Warwick 201mm and Stanthorpe 138mm. On the
western Downs and in the Maranoa, Roma received
95mm, Surat 37mm, Dalby 123mm, Goondiwindi 130mm,
St George 82mm and Inglewood 142mm.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: Due to the isolated and scattered
nature of rainfall in the Region during the last
two months pasture availability and hence stock
condition vary greatly from one area to the next.
Properties benefiting from good rainfall have
recorded good pasture response and accordingly
stock condition continues to improve. Elsewhere,
where rainfall has been light or non existent,
stock condition varies from poor to fair with
isolated stock losses still occurring.
West Region: Due to the isolated and scattered
nature of rainfall during the last two months
pasture quality and availability varies greatly
throughout the Region. Consequently so does the
condition of most lines of stock. In the south-west
stock remain in store to forward store condition
reflecting rainfall occurrence during winter and
spring. In the central west pasture availability
varies from good around Blackall and Tambo to
variable and denuded in some areas around Longreach
and Winton. In the north the part Shires of
Flinders, Richmond and McKinlay remain drought
declared and stock condition varies from poor to
fair in these areas.
Central Region: Much of the Region except for
most of the Belyando and Nebo Shires is in the best
condition, in terms of pasture availability, that
it has been for the last several years.
Consequently stock condition, apart from those
areas mentioned above, varies between good and
excellent. In the north pasture availability and
quality are low and therefore stock are in fair to
poor condition. Accordingly a considerable number
of agistment movements have been made out of this
area in recent months and these will continue if
widespread drought breaking rain does not eventuate
this wet season.
South East Region: Rainfall during the month has
been favourable for all industries across the
Region and assisted the growth of pasture in many
areas. High temperatures during the month caused
wilting of pasture in some areas which received
smaller rainfall totals. Generally conditions in
most areas are excellent for this time of the year
with pasture quantity and quality of a quite good
standard. Stock condition reflects pasture quality
with most lines in good to excellent condition.
Stock movements to sale and slaughter have all but
ceased as is normal for this time of the year.
South Region: Most Shires throughout the Region
are still in good to excellent condition in terms
of feed availability for this time of the year. The
occurrence of high temperatures and hot winds
during the month caused the wilting of pastures in
some areas but this was offset to some extent by
some good rainfall totals. Rainfall this month has
resulted in continued pasture growth in most areas
and consequently stock condition varies from good
to excellent across most of the Region.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: In the farming areas, summer
plantings of peanuts and maize continued during the
month and accordingly placed demands on available
soil moisture. Good general rainfall during January
will assist plant growth and reduce the demand on
irrigation. Much of the cane growing areas received
good to excellent rainfall during the month which
consequently produced good plant growth in the new
crop.
Central Region: The planting of summer crops such
as cotton, sunflowers and sorghum continued during
the month as many grain growers took advantage of
the recent rainfall. Harvest of spring planted
sorghum commenced during the month with some good
yields reported, although marketing opportunities
are currently depressed for this product. In the
areas with reduced rainfall totals over the last
three months, good general rain is required in the
immediate future to ensure that soil moisture
levels are adequate for the crops to be planted
during Jan/Feb.
South East Region: The majority of summer
plantings across the Region were completed during
the month with most areas receiving follow up falls
which should have reduced the impact of any
moisture stress due to high temperatures. In the
Lockyer Valley earlier planted sorghum crops are in
head with good yields expected in many crops. In
the cane growing areas sufficient rainfall during
the month has ensured continued crop growth
although irrigation prospects for 1997 look grim at
present. Horticulture across much of the Region
experienced favourable conditions during the month
although high temperatures increased demand on
irrigation supplies around Gympie and in the
Lockyer Valley.
South Region: With the completion of the winter
harvest last month grain growers were in full swing
planting summer crops this month. Large areas of
cotton, sunflowers and sorghum were planted and
these will benefit greatly from the recent rain. In
some areas earlier plantings of sorghum are close
to harvest with some excellent yields expected. On
the Granite Belt the harvest of stonefriut crops
was in full swing this month with most growers
experiencing an excellent season with good yields.
In the vegetable growing areas yields have also
been good and prospects look bright for next year
with the abundance of surface water for irrigation.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
The latest Water Storage Report issued by the
Department of Natural Resources is attached for
general information on water storage capacities
throughout the State.
North Region: Rainfall during the month resulted
in small flows in the Don River and Euri Creek
system around Bowen but have had no affect on the
declining ground water problem in the area. Further
north both the Burdekin and Tinaroo Falls Dams are
close 70% capacity. Good rainfall on the coastal
fringe eased the demand on irrigation for many cane
farmers but inland farmers are still relying on
irrigation supplies to establish and secure crops
planted during the last two months.
West Region: Recent storm rain in the Cloncurry
and Mt Isa areas has produced stream flows and had
a positive affect on the storages of Lake Julius
and Lake Moondarra. Elsewhere in the Region current
water storages and availability of groundwater
appear adequate for the immediate short term.
Central Region: Rainfall during the month
produced some good inflow into Fairbairn Dam which
is currently at 35% capacity. This recent inflow
has meant that allocations for 96/97 have been
increased to 95%. The Mackenzie River weirs remain
full due to flows in the Comet and Isaac Rivers
whilst in the Mackay area the Peter Faust and
Eungella Dams are at 34% capacity which is down on
last month. Throughout the Region groundwater
supplies remain variable with little to no apparent
recharge recorded in any area. Town water supplies
remain secure in all areas in the medium term.
South East Region: Stream flows across much of
the Region slowed considerably during the month due
to the hot dry weather, although the levels of most
water storages have remained relatively stable.
Significant stream flows are required in the
northern areas of the Region to replenish Fred
Haigh and Waruma Dams. Groundwater levels
throughout the Region remain variable and it is not
expected that bores will return to normal levels
without prolonged rainfall.
South Region: Rainfall during the month
alleviated the demand on irrigation in many areas
although the high temperatures reduced soil
moisture levels throughout much of the Region. Most
of the Regions storage facilities remain close to
capacity and unregulated supplies also remain in
good stead for this time of the year. Stock water
availability remains adequate for the immediate
future although groundwater supplies remain
variable throughout much of the Region. The
exception to this is on the eastern Downs where
supplies are better than they have been in recent
years due to the recharge from floods and excellent
rainfall earlier in the year.
OUTLOOK
The average SOI for December was +7.3, while the
average SOI for the 30 days ending 31 December was
+5.7 (see attached graph). The SOI trend during
November - December was phase 4 (ie. rising).
The attached map shows the total rainfall over
Queensland during December, together with maps of
rainfall relative to historical records for the
last three months and the last twelve months.
Climate forecasts continue to suggest a high
probability of about average rainfall for most of
Queensland during the January to March period. The
exceptions to this are in the south-west corner of
the State and to the north-west of Emerald where
probabilities are about 35%; and areas inland from
Mossman, around the Selwyn Range and a strip from
Kingaroy to Cracow where probabilities are about
65%. The Bureau of Meteorology are forecasting
above average rainfall for the total January-March
period in an area around the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The attached maps show the probabilities of
exceeding 50mm, 100mm and 200mm of rainfall around
Queensland over the next three months. The sea
surface temperature map for November, together with
comments, is also attached. Sea surface
temperatures currently represent a La Nina pattern.
They are cooler than normal in the eastern
equatorial Pacific and warmer than normal over most
of the equatorial Pacific and central Indian Ocean.
FREIGHT SUBSIDIES
For the month of December 1996, 164 claims were
processed to the value of $227,784.64. The
breakdown per type of subsidy for all claims paid
during the month is as follows:
Agistment $24,154.14 To Agistment $24,873.07
Fodder $156,105.76 Restocking $21,730.45
Water $921.22
So far in the 1996/1997 financial year a total of
1216 claims have been processed to a total of $1
789,170.38. This represents 35% of the Treasury
Special Allocation of $5 million.
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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