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07 Aug 2008

Scattered rainfall occurred across much of the State during the month with the majority of the bigger totals confined to central and southern Queensland. Some of the droughted areas in central Queensland received useful totals whilst others missed out and are still waiting for a break in the season. In western and north western Queensland, rainfall was confined to isolated patchy storms which will only benefit those properties which received rainfall the previous month. In many of these areas pasture growth resulting from previous rainfall was burnt off due to the high temperatures and hot winds experienced late in the month. Across much of southern Queensland, farmers and graziers are now hoping for storm rain or an early start to the wet season to follow up the excellent winter and spring rainfall recorded in many centres. Elsewhere many property owners are either still waiting for an initial break in the season or they require follow up falls of rain before Christmas to continue pasture growth and regeneration initiated by earlier rainfall.

At the end of November, 17 Shires and 5 part Shires are declared drought stricken along with 578 Individually Drought Declared Properties (IDP's) in 32 other Shires. This represents approximately 22% of the State or 9550 out of the 55,545 Department of Primary Industries registered livestock enterprises.

RAINFALL

North Region: Patchy storm rain occurred over inland parts of the Region during the month with isolated falls of up to 150mm recorded on some properties. However these storms were mainly confined to areas which had received rainfall the previous month. Useful falls were also recorded along the coastal fringe with totals generally not exceeding 100mm. Townsville received 59mm, Babinda 70mm, Bowen 60mm and Innisfail 39mm. Inland, Herberton recorded 137mm, Malanda 92mm, Croydon 72mm and Charters Towers 30mm.

West Region: Rainfall throughout the Region during the month was scattered and light with totals generally below 40mm. Most of the beneficial rain was recorded in the central west around Charleville and Blackall. Areas around Winton, Julia Creek and Richmond received very little beneficial rainfall and some properties in these areas are still very badly droughted. The better totals for the Region during the month included Charleville 38mm, Quilpie 32mm and Blackall 21mm.

Central Region: Rainfall in the Region occurred in two periods around the 5th and 21st of the month. Good falls of up to 100mm fell in some parts of the eastern highlands with lighter falls elsewhere. Comet received 140mm, Dingo 151mm, Banana 102mm and Emerald 72mm. Conversely much of Belyando and Nebo Shires remain desperately dry with very little beneficial rainfall recorded in these areas. On the coastal fringe Rockhampton received 44mm and Mackay 81mm.

South East Region: Useful rainfall occurred across much of the region during the month with the majority of the falls ranging between 30mm and 100mm. In some areas where lighter falls were recorded their benefit has been negated to some extent by the high temperatures and hot winds which occurred late in the month. Eidsvold received 156mm, Mundubbera 115mm, Kingaroy 66mm, Gatton 49mm and Beaudesert 121mm. On the coastal fringe Bundaberg received 83mm, Gympie 59mm, Pomona 120mm and Nambour 85mm.

South Region: Rainfall fell widely across much of the Region during the month with some totals on the eastern downs exceeding 150mm. Clifton recorded 170mm, Toowoomba 67mm, Warwick 90mm and Stanthorpe 68mm. Elsewhere isolated thunderstorms produced useful falls in excess of 25mm. On the western downs and Maranoa, Roma received 20mm, Surat 36mm, Dalby 40mm and Inglewood 49mm.

LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES

North Region: Many inland parts of the region continue to decline in terms of pasture quantity and quality due to the onset of high temperatures and hot winds during the month. There have been reports of increased stock losses particularly in new born calves and their mothers in the badly droughted areas around Charters Towers and Townsville. In other parts of the Region stock condition varies according to rainfall and pasture availability. On the coastal fringe above Townsville and below Bowen pasture is in good supply and accordingly cattle are in good to excellent condition as are most lines of stock on the Atherton Tablelands.

West Region: Pasture quality and availability varies throughout the Region and consequently so does stock condition. In south and south west areas pasture availability is still quite good and accordingly stock are in good to excellent condition. In the central west pasture availability varies from good around Blackall and Tambo to variable around Longreach and Winton. In these areas stock condition reflects pasture availability and quality. In the north and north west many properties still have received no break in the season and conditions continue to deteriorate throughout much of the area. The hot windy conditions experienced during the month have taken their toll on pasture growth and quality as well as stock condition. Widespread general rain is required this month over much of the Region to alleviate current problems.

Central Region: Rainfall during the last two months has improved pasture condition and availability across much of the Region except for most of the Belyando and Nebo Shires. In these areas much of the country is denuded of pasture and accordingly stock condition varies from poor to fair and is largely dependant on the amount and type of supplementation being undertaken. In most other areas of the Region stock condition varies from fair to good depending on the quality of available pasture. Overall the majority of the Region is well placed for this time of the year but rainfall will be required during December in many areas to offset high summer temperatures and their affect on pasture growth.

South East Region: Rainfall during the month across much of the Region assisted the growth of pasture in many areas but this was negated to some extent by the hot dry winds and high temperatures which occurred late in the month. Generally conditions are quite good for this time of the year with many areas experiencing levels of pasture availability not seen for many years. Consequently, most lines of stock remain in good to excellent condition and supplementary feeding has all but ceased in most areas. Numbers of stock travelling to sale and slaughter have slowed as meatworks begin winding down for Christmas.

South Region: Due to the excellent winter and spring rainfall experienced across much of the Region the availability and quality of pasture remains quite good for this time of the year. High temperatures and hot winds during the month have affected pasture quality in some areas but stock condition overall varies between good and excellent. Fires late in the month affected large areas of forest country on the Downs and rainfall is required to boost pasture production in these areas. Generally conditions for animal and plant production remain favourable throughout the Region in the short term, but rainfall is required within the next two months to ensure a good start for 1997.

CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE

North Region: Rainfall during the month around Bowen provided good quality soil moisture and reduced the demand on irrigation by some farmers in the area. On the down side the rain caused losses in some tomato and rockmelon crops but had no effect on the mango harvest which is in full swing. On the Atherton Tablelands light scattered rainfall during the month assisted farmers especially those which received good rainfall in October. However many farmers in the area with irrigation supplies are still finding it necessary to utilise this water to finish crops and pre-water ground for summer plantings.

Central Region: With the completion of the winter harvest during the month, attention has now turned to summer cropping. In many areas rainfall during the month assisted farmers either planning on sowing crops or it boosted the crops sown in the last two months. The exceptions to this occur to the north of Emerald where lack of rainfall in some areas has meant low soil moisture levels and reduced plantings of summer crops. In some areas which have experienced recent rainfall there have been hatchings of plague locusts which have caused some growers to reassess planting options. In general the outlook remains favourable over much of the Region for summer cropping although recent high temperatures and hot winds have caused moisture stress in some crops and lowered soil moisture levels in many areas.

South East Region: Due to recent rainfall and the completion of the winter harvest, farmers throughout the Region are concentrating on the planting of summer crops. Already large areas have been planted to maize, navy beans, sorghum and peanuts and these plantings will continue especially if further rainfall occurs during early December. Prospects look good for all forms of cropping across much of the Region due to recent rainfall, a good soil moisture profile and the increased potential for irrigation. The cane crushing season in the Bundaberg area is complete with indications pointing to a record crop for this season. Plantings of cane for next season have begun and indications point to another good year for cane growers. In the Lockyer Valley the potato and onion harvest nears completion and the plantings of sweet corn and summer grain crops have begun. Rainfall during the month alleviated the demand on irrigation in many areas and assisted crops planted earlier in the spring.

South Region: The harvest of winter cereal crops continued throughout the Region during the month with excellent production achieved in most areas. Many wheat crops have yielded much better than expected and grain handling facilities continue to receive large quantities of grain. On the eastern downs, recent rainfall has allowed many farmers to double crop and large plantings of sorghum and sunflowers has occurred. In the west many sorghum crops are beginning to show signs of moisture stress from the recent high temperatures and hot winds. These crops require rain urgently to minimise crop losses and ensure maximum production is maintained. On the Granite Belt the harvest of the stone fruit crop commenced during the month and prospects look bright for good yields. Water storages remain close to capacity throughout the Region and point to excellent prospects for vegetable, fruit and cotton crops during the next few months.

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 Sate

North Region: Rainfall during the month eased the demand on irrigation for many farmers around Bowen and on the Atherton Tablelands. Due to the light nature of most of the rainfall during the month their was no substantial inflow into any of the major water storages in the Region. In the areas which received the bigger totals there was some local runoff which increased storage levels in some dams and creeks.

West Region: The light and scattered nature of the rainfall during the month produced very little surface runoff in the Region. High temperatures have increased evaporation rates in all water storages and this combined with increased stock water consumption have decreased storage levels in most water storages. Indications are that the current availability of water should be adequate in most areas until reasonable rainfall can be expected.

Central Region: Rainfall during the month produced very little effective runoff throughout most of the Region with the exception of the Comet, Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers where low flows occurred. Groundwater levels remain variable in most areas although there has been some recharge in the Boyne River Valley. Most surface water storage levels declined during the month to some extent through irrigation commitments and evaporation losses.

South East Region: Rainfall during the month produced some stream flows in the upper Burnett but generally water levels in most of the Regions storages remained stable or decreased slightly through discharge and evaporation. Ground water levels remain variable in most areas and it is not expected that bores will return to normal levels without prolonged rainfall. Stock water storages in most areas are adequate in the short term.

South Region: Although very little runoff occurred during the month surface water supplies remain high throughout most of the Region due to excellent rainfall earlier in the year. Most of the regulated storage facilities remain close to capacity with good prospects for irrigation next year. The groundwater situation remains variable in many areas although supplies on the eastern downs are better than they have been in recent years. Stock water availability across the Region remains adequate for the short term but has suffered during the month due to evaporation loss and increased consumption.

OUTLOOK

The average SOI for November was -0.8, while the average SOI for the 30 days ending 30 November was +0.1 (see attached graph). The SOI trend during October-November was phase 5 (ie. near zero).

The attached map shows the total rainfall over Queensland during November, together with maps of rainfall relative to historical records for the last three months and the last twelve months. Most climate forecast systems are suggesting 'near average' rainfall in Eastern Australia over the total December to February period.

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 October, together with comments, is also attached. Research at the Bureau of Meteorology into sea-surface temperature and SOI patterns suggests a high probability of an early start to the northern Australian wet season this year.

FREIGHT SUBSIDIES

For the month of November 1996, 201 claims were processed to the value of $341,901.97. The breakdown per type of subsidy for all claims paid during the month is as follows:

Agistment $115,694.60 To Agistment $57,543.32

Fodder $117,500.88 Restocking $47,881.57

Water $3,281.60

So far in the 1996/1997 financial year a total of 1052 claims have been processed to a total of $1 575,415.63. This represents 32% 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)

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.