DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT
JUNE 1997
Although useful rainfall was recorded in many coastal
centres during the month, June proved a fairly dry month for the majority of
inland Queensland. Rainfall in the drought declared Shires of the Burnett was
scattered and patchy and did little to relieve the declining seasonal conditions
in this area. Most areas in the north, north-west and south of the State continue
to experience average to above average seasonal conditions. The exception to
this is an area to the south of Hughenden and most of the north eastern Darling
Downs. These areas missed out on productive rainfall during this years wet season
and are consequently experiencing declining seasonal conditions.
During the month the Shire of Wondai was drought declared
as of the 20 June. Therefore at 1 July 1997, 16 Shires and 4 part Shires are
declared drought stricken along with 280 Individually Drought Declared Properties
(IDP+s) in 26 other Shires. This represents approximately 10% of the State or
7,377 out of the 55,545 Department of Primary Industries registered livestock
enterprises.
RAINFALL
North Region: Productive rainfall was generally confined
to the wet tropical coast although some useful totals were recorded on the Atherton
Tablelands during the month. During the month Babinda recorded 306mm, Innisfail
311mm, Tully 226mm, Cairns 65mm, Townsville 7mm, Bowen 12mm, Charters Towers
6mm, Herberton 19mm, Malanda 51mm, and Mareeba 9mm.
West Region: Very little productive rainfall was recorded
in the Region during the month with the better falls generally confined to the
far west. Rainfall recordings during the month included: Barcaldine 3mm, Boulia
12mm, Birdsville 4mm, Cunnamulla 15mm, Dirrinbandi 23mm, Duchess 29mm, Dajarra
18mm, Richmond 35mm and Quilpie 25mm.
Central Region: Scattered rainfall was recorded in some
coastal and central parts of the Region during the month but in most areas very
little effective rainfall occurred. Totals during the month include: Clermont
15mm, Emerald 1mm, Mackay 46mm, Calliope 8mm, Gladstone 5mm, Banana 4mm, Miriam
Vale 6mm, Alpha 3mm, Blackwater 31mm and Rockhampton 10mm.
South East Region: June was a relatively dry month for
rainfall in most centres of the Region although some centres on the coast did
record useful falls. Totals recorded during the month include: Esk 18mm, Kingaroy
14mm, Kilkivan 9mm, Kilcoy 46mm, Gatton 12mm and Beaudesert 10mm. On the coastal
fringe Bundaberg received 7mm, Maryborough 16mm, Gympie 25mm, and Tewantin 98mm.
South Region: Rainfall was scattered and patchy across
much of the Region during the month with very little effective rainfall recorded
on the eastern Darling Downs. Totals recorded during the month include: Dalby
1mm, Oakey 7mm, Toowoomba 9mm, Allora 27mm, Clifton 28mm, Warwick 19mm, Stanthorpe
17mm, St George 22mm, Goondiwindi 17mm, Chinchilla 2mm, Roma 1mm and Inglewood
11mm.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: Due to the excellent rainfall experienced
across much of the Region during the early part of the year, livestock and pasture
conditions range from very good to adequate across the majority of the Region.
A section of Burke Shire and a couple of properties in Bowen Shire being the
only exceptions. In most areas supplies of pasture are sufficient for the foreseeable
future and prospects till the end of the year are generally good if normal conditions
hold.
West Region: Useful rainfall was virtually non existent
in the Region during the month although some areas did record totals in excess
of 25mm. The majority of areas, with the exception of the country to the south
of Hughenden, continue to experience an average to above average season. Frosts
in some areas during the month have affected pasture quality but generally there
is adequate pasture to sustain stock till the end of the year. In most areas,
apart from the area to the south of Hughenden, stock are in good to fat condition
and reflect pasture quality and quantity.
Central Region: Stock condition is generally being maintained
throughout most of the Region although in many coastal areas, breeders with
calves are slipping as would be expected for this time of year. The numbers
of fat cattle moving to sales and abattoirs still remains high. Pasture quantity
remains adequate in most Shires although frosts have affected quality to some
extent. Some supplementary feeding has re-commenced, particularly in the western
Shires, where some pockets of country did not receive the quantity of rainfall
as other areas.
South East Region: Most areas in the Region still have
some pasture but generally with little bulk. Pasture quantity in most areas
is beginning to deteriorate rapidly for this time of year. Condition of stock
is generally being maintained due to the low numbers and the continuing warm
weather which has postponed the usual condition loss experienced after the first
winter frosts. Stock numbers moving to saleyards are more than normal for this
time of year. Drought feeding is occurring on some properties but generally
most producers are reluctant to commit themselves to a feeding program this
early in the season, particularly when stock prices are so poor. Hay is now
in short supply throughout the region.
South Region: Good rainfall during the summer months over
most of the Region, with the exception of the north eastern section of Darling
Downs, has provided adequate pasture reserves for the winter months. Recent
rainfall has been a bonus for graziers and resulted in the growth of winter
herbage in many areas. There has been some lightening off stock in the areas
that have missed out on productive rainfall, especially in the Rosalie and Wambo
Shires. Generally, most lines of stock are in fair to good condition at present
but a drop in condition is expected to occur as winter continues and the standing
dry feed falls in protein content. Drought feeding is occurring in the dry section
of the Region and this trend will continue until useful rainfall is received.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: At Bowen and Gumlu, small crop production
is in full swing with many growers experiencing their best season for water
supply since 1991. On the tablelands the first month of winter saw some periods
of cold weather interspersed with milder overcast conditions and light rain.
This continues the good season being experienced in most districts. In the cane
growing areas, the continuation of rainfall in June provided mixed results with
some areas receiving sufficient rain on a number of occasions to cause interruptions
to harvesting. On the positive side the rainfall provided soil moisture and
some reduction in irrigation demand in the drier cane growing districts.
Central Region: The month of June has been a dry one in
most parts of the Region. Most of the wheat crops are now in the ground, but
soil moisture reserves are being used up quickly. Growers across the Central
Highlands are experiencing difficulties harvesting the late-planted sorghum
and sunflower crops. This is necessary because many sorghum crops are beginning
to lodge badly. Ergot is showing up at alarming levels in sorghum regrowth and
to a lesser extent in some of the very late sorghum crops. Most sorghum crops
have ergot present in heads on late tillers that have flowered several weeks
after the primary crop.
South East Region: All cropping areas in the Region are
now waiting on adequate rainfall to plant winter crops. Some wheat, barley and
oat crops have been planted, but normally at this time of the year much larger
areas have been planted. Many sorghum crops in the North Burnett were badly
affected by ergot and growers have been unable to harvest them. In the Bundaberg/Isis
area continuing supply problems of irrigation water from the Fred Haigh dam
are the main problems for the cane growers in the district. Generally though
throughout the area the cane crop is progressing well. In the Bundaberg district
late season rain has provided good conditions for all forms of production. Conversely,
the Gatton district has had a dry start to the season. 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: Across the Region there have been widespread
plantings of wheat, barley and chickpeas. Good levels of sub-soil moisture in
many areas should carry most crops through to harvest although some crops will
require follow up rainfall in the next two months to reach their maximum potential.
Most of the cotton crop has now been harvested with good yields realised in
most areas. Prospects for farmers on the north eastern Darling Downs look bleak
due to the continued lack of effective rainfall. Many properties in this area
have not received useful rainfall since April/May 1996. Due the winter dormancy
of stone fruit varieties on the Granite Belt, production is at a low although
the recent dry spell may affect yields later in the year.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: Most areas of the Region are currently experiencing
their best season for water supply since 1991. North of Townsville, the Bluewater
sub-artesian area has benefited from the wet season, with some groundwater levels
showing a two metre rise after reaching record lows during the drought. Regulated
storage capacities remain high and stock water supplies in most areas appears
adequate for the immediate future.
West Region: Unregulated surface water supplies in most
areas appear adequate for the immediate future with the exception of an area
to the south of Hughenden. Regulated storages are at capacity and should prove
adequate for the rest of the year. Reports indicate that underground supplies
are holding and appear safe for the immediate future.
Central Region: June has been dry month with many parts
of the Region recording zero rainfall. Streamflows are still receding and a
number of the smaller storages are beginning to decline from the healthy levels
maintained during autumn. The large storage of Fairbairn Dam will easily see
out the next water year but the smaller storages, even if now full, will need
some replenishment later in the year when evaporation and irrigation demands
are at their peaks. Groundwater levels remain variable across the Region and
long term substantial recovery of bores will require prolonged wet weather.
South East Region: The lack of substantial rainfall during
the month meant that there were no significant flows in any streams across the
Region. Ground water levels throughout the Region remain variable. In the central
Lockyer Valley bore levels are being maintained but bores further from the creeks
are already beginning to fall. It is not expected that bores will return to
normal levels without prolonged rainfall. Stock water supplies vary from one
area to the next, with many producers in the central Burnett having to cart
water for stock use. Reports indicate that water supplies in these areas have
reached a record low.
South Region: The capacities of the Region+s major water
storages remain high due to significant inflow over the summer period. Similarly
most of the capacities of the unregulated supplies, with the exception of the
north-eastern Darling Downs, were restored earlier in the year. Ground water
supplies in most areas appear adequate for the short term with some recharge
apparent in eastern Downs and Border Rivers districts.
OUTLOOK
The average SOI for June was -24.3, while the average
SOI for the 30 days ending 2 July 1997 was -21.3. The SOI trend during May -
June was phase 1 (ie. negative). An El Nino has now developed in the Pacific
Ocean. Climate forecasts suggest that the chance of obtaining +average+ rainfall
during the June -August period range from 10% to 30% over most of southern and
central Queensland.
While an El Nino pattern reduces the prospects for +average+
winter rainfall, warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the north -
eastern Indian Ocean will help in the development of northwest cloudbands. These
may produce a little relief rainfall in southern and central inland areas of
Queensland. The next passage of the 30-to 50-day oscillation is expected during
the first week of August.
The consistently negative SOI phase during April - May
indicates a higher probability than normal of late-season frost in some areas.
The chances of severe frosts are greater in southern inland regions of Qld and
northern inland districts of NSW.
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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