DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT
JULY 1997
During the month useful rainfall was generally confined
to the coastal fringe in the far north and the south east of the State. The
majority of inland Queensland again missed out on productive rainfall although
some centres on the Darling Downs were lucky enough to experience scattered
patchy storms. The Burnett Valley experienced some rainfall, but totals were
generally not adequate to promote pasture response or generate runoff, consequently,
seasonal conditions in these areas continue to decline.
During the past month the Shire of Rosalie and the remaining
areas of Kingaroy and Nanango were recommended by their Local Drought Committees
(LDC+s) to be drought declared effective from the 25 July and 1 August respectively.
This should result in 19 Shires and 2 part Shires being drought stricken along
with 235 Individually Drought Declared Properties (IDP+s) in 22 other Shires.
This represents approximately 10% of the State or 10,618 out of the 55,545 Department
of Primary Industries registered livestock enterprises.
RAINFALL
North Region: Productive rainfall was again generally confined
to the coastal fringe above Townsville. Although some rainfall occurred in inland
areas it was not sufficient to be of any benefit to landholders except for some
areas of the Atherton Tablelands which received in excess of 50mm. During the
month Babinda recorded 175mm, Innisfail 240mm, Tully 223mm, Cairns 19mm, Townsville
6mm, Bowen 7mm, Charters Towers 1mm, Herberton 26mm, and Malanda 56mm.
West Region: Very little effective rainfall occurred in
the Region during the month as is normal for this time of the year. Rainfall
recordings during the month included: Barcaldine 2mm, Boulia 2mm, Charleville
3mm, Cunnamulla 5mm, Dirrinbandi 7mm, Winton 1mm and Quilpie 5mm.
Central Region: Scattered rainfall occurred in some centres
of the Region during the month. Generally combined totals were below 25mm and
therefore of very little value to graziers or farmers. Totals during the month
include: Emerald 1mm, Mackay 21mm, Calliope 16mm, Gladstone 14mm, Banana 9mm,
Miriam Vale 8mm, Blackwater 1mm and Rockhampton 4mm.
South East Region: Although some of the inland areas of
the Region received rainfall totals in excess of 25mm, individual falls were
scattered of very little value. Coastal centres again recorded the better falls.
Totals recorded during the month include: Esk 15mm, Kingaroy 14mm, Kilkivan
64mm, Kilcoy 14mm, Gatton 11mm and Beaudesert 29mm. On the coastal fringe Bundaberg
received 12mm, Maryborough 30mm, Gympie 60mm, and Nambour 56mm.
South Region: Very little effective rainfall occurred in
the Region during the Month although some isolated scattered storms were reported
from the Greenmount - Clifton area. Generally individual recordings need to
be in around the 20mm mark to be of any benefit at this time of the year. Totals
recorded during the month include: Dalby 12mm, Oakey 11mm, Toowoomba 10mm, Allora
8mm, Clifton 18mm, Greenmount 23mm, Warwick 6mm, Stanthorpe 30mm, St George
3mm, Goondiwindi 7mm, Chinchilla 17mm, Roma 5mm and Inglewood 8mm.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: Weather conditions throughout the Region
to date have been mild with the odd light frost on the Basalt country. Pasture
has hayed off as is normal for this time of year but should last until the warmer
weather conditions in September. Stock condition in most areas is generally
very good and should remain so until the onset of warmer weather at end of dry
season. The only real area of concern in the Region is an area near Mt Coolon
and another in Burke Shire. These areas missed out average rainfall during the
wet season and consequently are starting to run short of feed.
West Region: Generally much of the Region continues to
experience an average to above average season and stock vary from good to excellent
condition. The exceptions to this are in the Flinders Shire and in the Paroo
Shire to the east of Cunnamulla. Here summer rainfall was well below average
and consequently very little feed resulted. Elsewhere especially along much
of the Channel Country and the North West pasture is abundant and consequently
stock are in excellent condition. Drought feeding is occurring in the Shires
mentioned above as graziers particularly in the Flinders Shire try to cope with
another year of drought. Elsewhere many stands of Mitchell and Buffel grass
are still green due to the late finish to the wet season and the mild winter
to date.
Central Region: July proved to be a fairly mild month in
the Region with warmer than average temperatures helping to hold the condition
of most lines of stock and maintain pasture quality to some extent. However
the majority of pasture in the Region has begun to hay off and with it has come
the usual drop in pasture protein as is normal for this time of the year. Cows
with calves at foot, especially in coastal areas, have slipped in condition,
and are reliant on licks to supplement available feed reserves, but again this
is normal for this time of the year. In the Jericho Shire graziers continue
to return stock from agistment and purchase restocking animals as they continue
the herd rebuilding process after the long and protracted drought.
South East Region: The condition of most lines of stock
especially breeders is beginning to decline and generally reflects the type
of country being grazed. Some areas have received light scattered falls of rain
which has generated some short green pick. While this will not last long unless
further rain occurs, it has provided a boost in stock condition. The continuing
warm weather has not stressed stock, postponing the usual dramatic condition
loss experienced after the first winter frosts. Some breeding herds are reported
to be facing serious calving problems caused from nutritional stress. Pasture
quality and quantity have now decreased throughout the Region. As is typical
in winter, protein levels in pasture are low and stock need supplementation
to maintain condition.
South Region: In most areas of the Region feed has been
adequate for stock demands and consequently stock vary from fair to good condition.
The exception to this is the eastern Darling Downs. In this area, inadequate
stock feed with low nutritive values has resulted in loss of stock condition.
There has been some reduction in stock numbers, as a result of deteriorating
feed supplies in the Rosalie and Wambo Shires as well as forced movements to
agistment and sales. Generally the Region apart from the area mentioned above
is well placed for this time of the year and most producers should have adequate
feed reserves for the remainder of winter.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: At Bowen and Gumlu, climatic conditions during
the month were less than desirable for horticulture but still this year continues
to be the best season for water supply since 1991. Seasonal conditions for dryland
and irrigated cropping on the Atherton Tableland, and in other areas such as
Major Creek remained good during July. With the vast majority of the northern
peanut crop now harvested, a combination of factors including excellent rainfall
from Cyclone Justin have combined to produce expectations for a record crop
in the north. Expectations are that the sugar cane crop will also yield very
well this year despite the setback received from Cyclone Justin.
Central Region: July continued to be another dry month
throughout much of the Region in terms of beneficial rainfall for cropping especially
in inland areas. Crops planted on marginal soil moisture earlier in the year
are beginning to show signs of moisture stress. Irrigated crops continue to
fare well due to the mild winter conditions and expectations are for good yields
in these crops barring damage from late frosts during the flowering stage. The
mice plague in many of the grain growing areas has affected crops and could
play a major part in determining final yields in some crops. Generally substantial
rainfall is needed within the next month in many of the grain growing areas
to secure yields and maximise crop potential.
South East Region: In the South Burnett estimates indicate
that only 40% of the area normally planted to winter crops has been planted
this year. With poor rainfall over the last few months, these crops are struggling
and their yields are expected to be below average. Graingrowers from Kingaroy
and Nanango areas have indicated that many crops are dying and good rainfall
now would not improve the prospects of yields. In the cane growing areas the
crushing season has continued without major interruption due to rain. Despite
a dry period for crops, early estimates indicate the possibility of a good harvest
in most areas. In the Gayndah and Mundubbera district there has been a very
good season for citrus. Yields have been average to above average and prices
have held better than in previous years.
South Region: Throughout the Region there has been widespread
plantings of wheat, barley and chickpea. The exception to this is on the eastern
Darling Downs where very little country has been planted due to the extended
dry weather. In this area some crops has been planted on varying subsoil moisture
levels and consequently these are feeling the effects of limited rain since
planting. The Western Downs has better yield prospects having had superior soil
moisture levels that should carry many crops through to harvest. On the Granite
Belt stone fruits, grapes and apples are in the winter dormant period and have
low water needs until Spring.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: While some surface water supplies are drying
off particularly in the lower Etheridge and Bowen Shires, the majority of the
Region remains well placed for water supplies for the immediate future. The
Regions major water storages are close to capacity and should provide adequate
water for irrigation for a considerable period. Similarly underground supplies
in many areas appear to have made some recovery due to the excellent wet season
experienced earlier in the year.
West Region: Water supplies, artesian and surface, vary
from adequate to abundant across the Region with the exception of the area to
the south of Hughenden. In this area the below average rainfall during summer
resulted in very little runoff. Consequently many dams in this area are well
below capacity and some are dry. The Region+s regulated storages are close to
capacity and should prove adequate for the rest of the year.
Central Region: Stream flows and the storage capacities
of dams across the Region continued to decline during the month due to the lack
of effective rainfall. The current capacities of the Regions major storages
should be adequate to see out this year but the smaller storages will need some
replenishment later in the year when evaporation and irrigation demands are
at their peaks. Stock water and ground water levels remain variable across the
Region with reports indicating that some bores have fallen to base levels. The
levels of these bores will not recover without a prolonged wet season.
South East Region: Surface water varies greatly across
the Region. In many areas surface water and permanent creeks supplies are at
a record low. Burnett area producers estimate that the great majority of stock
water dam supplies are in a range of 0 to 70% of capacity. Ground water levels
in the Region remain variable but generally on the decline. On Monal and Splinter
Creeks, groundwater levels are very low and in the Eidsvold district it has
been reported that underground water levels have fallen by up to 10 metres.
In the central Lockyer Valley bore levels are being maintained but bores further
from creeks are continuing to drop.
South Region: Ground water and surface water supplies are
adequate in most areas of the Region with the exception of the Eastern Darling
Downs. In this area many producers have indicated that bore levels have fallen
considerably over the last few months and surface water supplies are at a critical
level on some properties. In the other areas of the Region unregulated supplies
are adequate and should contain enough irrigation water for the summer months.
The capacities of the major storages are better than two-thirds full and contain
adequate irrigation supplies for the immediate future.
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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