DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT
DECEMBER 1998
Most areas of the State recorded useful rainfall totals
during December. Heaviest falls were recorded in north Queensland and along
the coastal fringe. Generally the majority of the State is experiencing its
best start to summer for many years. The cropping areas of central and southern
Queensland have good soil moisture reserves although recent hot weather has
affected some sorghum crops on the eastern Darling Downs. Provided good follow
up rainfall is recorded across the State during January/February pasture growth
should continue and farmers should record average to above average yields from
summer crops.
At the end of December 1998, 15 shires and 3 part shires
remain drought declared along with 105 Individually Droughted Properties (IDPs)
in a further 21 shires. These declarations represent approximately 9% of the
land area of the State or 7,800 out of the 55,545 Department of Primary Industries
registered livestock enterprises.
On 23 December 1998, the Federal Government announced
that Drought Exceptional Circumstances (DEC) provisions had been revoked in
the following Queensland Shires: Wondai, Murgon, Kilkivan, Kingaroy, Wambo,
Crows Nest, Nanango, Rosalie, Esk, Belyando, Nebo, Peak Downs, Emerald and the
southern portion of Banana Shire.
RAINFALL
North Region: Widespread rainfall again occurred across
much of the Region during December. Atherton received 172mm, Innisfail 442mm,
Tully 528mm, Cairns 233mm, Townsville 122mm, Bowen 96mm, Charters Towers 118mm,
Herberton 193mm, Malanda 189mm, Croydon 115 and Georgetown 168mm.
West Region: With the exception of the Channel Country
and far south-west, storms brought useful rainfall to much of the Region. Blackall
recorded 69mm, Barcaldine 93mm, Charleville 35mm, Cunnamulla 1mm, Birdsville
6mm, Boulia 19mm, Windorah 13mm, Longreach 136mm, Muttaburra 33mm, Winton 81mm,
Hughenden 50mm, Cloncurry 91mm and Mt Isa 104mm.
Central Region: Good to excellent rainfall was again recorded
in many areas of Central Queensland. Alpha recorded 29mm, Blackwater 121mm,
Clermont 82mm, Dingo 120mm, Springsure 44mm, Mackay 242mm, Proserpine 302mm,
Rockhampton 49mm, Banana 59mm, Biloela 68mm, Calliope 45mm and Gladstone 81mm.
South-East Region: Widespread rainfall occurred across
much of the Region with most centres recording totals greater than 50mm. Totals
include Eidsvold 56mm, Gayndah 40mm, Gympie 154mm, Mundubbera 47mm, Esk 190mm,
Kingaroy 90mm, Murgon 132mm, Nanango 77mm, Gatton 82mm and Beaudesert 107mm.
On the coastal fringe Bundaberg received 95mm, Nambour 77mm and Maryborough
139mm.
South Region: Variable rainfall was recorded across the
Region although the majority of totals exceeded 25mm. Totals include Dalby 76mm,
Bell 97mm, Oakey 24mm, Jondaryan 31mm, Toowoomba 46mm, Inglewood 13mm, Pittsworth
38mm, Clifton 22mm, Warwick 67mm, Stanthorpe 86mm, Roma 66mm, Goondiwindi 43mm
and St George 3mm.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: Continued widespread rainfall in most areas
of the Region has ensured that earlier pasture growth has continued. Much of
the Region has experienced a tremendous season that has assisted pasture regeneration
and enabled many graziers to restock their properties following the extended
drought. Stock condition continues to improve as a result of the flush of summer
pastures and consequently most lines of stock are in good to excellent order.
West Region: While much of the Region has experienced
useful rainfall during the last few months rainfall during December has been
patchy with some areas missing out on beneficial falls. Those areas that have
received recent rainfall in excess of 25mm have experienced good levels of pasture
growth. Areas without the benefit of recent rainfall have experienced a decline
in pasture quality as grasses hay off due to high temperatures. Generally much
of the Region is well placed for feed reserves and stock condition varies from
good to excellent depending on pasture quality.
Central Region: Conditions continue to improve across
the Region. Recent rainfall has continued pasture growth and most areas have
an excellent body of feed. The Lawgi area near Biloela has recorded useful rainfall
but follow-up falls are required to continue pasture growth and top up water
supplies. Stock condition has improved with the growth of new high quality pasture
and consequently most lines of stock are in good to excellent condition.
South-East Region: Rainfall during the last few months
has done much to improve pastures across the Region. In most districts pasture
quality and quantity is excellent for this time of year although the Brisbane
Valley and Beaudesert areas require further follow up falls to maintain pasture
growth and produce adequate pasture reserves for the winter months. Stock condition
across the Region ranges from good to excellent with many fat cattle sold in
recent weeks to take advantage of reasonable prices. Drought feeding of livestock
has ceased in all areas although some producers are maintaining protein supplementation
as part of normal management.
South Region: Most areas experienced warm wet weather
during November/December resulting in substantial summer pasture growth. Consequently
most districts have adequate pasture supplies for the next few months although
follow-up falls are required in some areas to guarantee adequate winter reserves.
Stock condition reflects pasture quality with most lines of stock in good to
excellent condition. Movements to sale and slaughter have increased as producers
unload quality cattle at reasonable prices.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: In the Bowen district the vegetable cropping
season has come to an end with many farmers now planting cover crops, generally
forage sorghum, which is not a host for silver leaf white fly. On the Atherton
Tablelands planting of the new maize and peanut crops commenced for those with
good soil moisture however patchy rain and a dry end to the month meant that
planting on some dry-land farms had to be discontinued pending further rain.
The cane season has also finished, bringing an end to a rain affected season.
Despite wet conditions the mills in the Region crushed a total of 8 million
tonnes with the Kalamia mill processing a record total.
Central Region: Whilst continued rainfall has assisted
earlier planted crops many farmers have been unable to plant country due to
wet conditions. Sunflower and sorghum crops planted in the last two months are
doing exceptionally well and should produce excellent yields if favourable weather
conditions persist and insect pressure is not to great. The recent rainfall
and onset of warm temperatures has provided perfect conditions for the hatching
of plague locusts. Consequently, control programs have been instigated in many
areas to reduce the threat of locust attack to the Regions summer crops. Dry-land
cotton crops are performing well due to the regular rainfall although heliothis
pressure has been quite high as a result of ideal breeding conditions.
South-East Region: Rainfall in most cropping areas has
boosted soil moisture and crops have responded accordingly. It is expected that
the area planted to mung beans, sunflowers, soya beans and navy beans will increase
this summer due to good soil moisture availability and a positive climate forecast.
In the cane growing areas rain again disrupted the harvest and as a result there
will be a percentage of the 1998 crop held over till next year. In the Bundaberg
and Gatton districts lack of irrigation water is still a concern for farmers,
although there has been a small increase in irrigation allocations for Bundaberg
farmers due to recent rainfall in the area. Conversely, in the Lockyer Valley
there has not been sufficient rain to run creeks or replenish underground supplies.
South Region: The harvest of winter cereal crops is now
complete with many grain growers only now able to value the 1998 harvest. Whilst
many growers experienced disappointment with the quantity and quality of crops
that were subject to pest, nutrition and disease factors, some growers recorded
excellent yields of high quality. Recent rainfall has generated widespread planting
of summer crops with mung beans, sorghum and sunflowers the main crops of choice.
The prospects for dryland cotton are exceptionally good on the Darling Downs,
due to the high probabilities of rain, excellent crop prices and full soil moisture
profiles. On the Granite Belt recent rainfall has improved soil moisture levels
in the fruit and vegetable growing areas, increasing the chances of favourable
summer production.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: Continued rainfall across much of the Region
has maintained stream flows in most areas and consequently major storages are
at or close to capacity. The rainfall has also regenerated bore levels in some
areas although significant improvements must still occur if bore levels are
to return to pre-drought levels. Generally, stock water supplies are adequate
for the immediate future across the majority of the Region.
West Region: Generally stock and domestic water supplies
appear adequate for the short term. Recent rainfall has alleviated surface water
shortages in some areas although further runoff is required to top up dams and
waterholes. The controlled storages continue to remain close to capacity and
there have been no reports of underground water shortages.
Central Region: Minor streamflows in many watercourses
and produced water harvesting opportunities in the Mackenzie, Fitzroy and lower
Dawson Rivers. Groundwater levels have continued to rise in the Mackay and Rockhampton
areas but levels remain depressed and further significant recharge is required
to return bore levels to pre-drought condition. Many of the Region's minor storages
are at or close to capacity while the major controlled storages require further
inflow to raise capacities. Stock water supplies are secure in most areas although
the Lawgi area, near Biloela requires further significant rainfall to provide
sufficient supplies for the remainder of the year.
South-East Region: Surface water supplies remain variable
despite recent storm activity. Many of the major storages still require prolonged
inflow to be secure for the forthcoming year. In the Nambour district many dams
have not completely filled and there is a need for further run-off producing
rainfall. The lack of inflow into Atkinsons Dam and Lake Clarendon is of concern
as it has reduced the area of irrigated crops able to be grown in the area.
Similarly Fred Haigh, Wuruma and Cania Dams are still at low levels despite
good inflows after recent rainfall. Similarly many underground aquifers remain
depleted and require significant replenishment. This will only come from a prolonged
wet season or after substantial flooding.
South Region: The Condamine and Balonne Rivers recorded
substantial flows during the month as did the Macintyre, Moonie and Weir Rivers.
Stream flow responses varied according to duration and intensity of rainfall
with small baseflows continuing in the upper reaches of most streams. Groundwater
levels in the Region's alluvial aquifers remain relatively stable although there
has been some recharge in bores located along the Condamine and associated tributary
streams. The basalt and sandstone aquifers on the eastern Downs also remain
relatively static. Surface water supplies for stock and domestic use remain
secure.
OUTLOOK
The average SOI for December +11.68 while the average
SOI during the last 30 days (ending 6 January) was strongly positive at +15.10.
Use of the Australian Rainman package indicates that the probabilities of exceeding
median rainfall remain relatively high for many areas of Queensland especially
the Central Highlands, the central coast and parts of the northern inland.
A La Nina (above average rainfall) pattern is now firmly
established in the Pacific Ocean. Colder-than-normal, equatorial sea-surface
temperatures are now present from around the International Dateline to the eastern
Pacific Ocean. In addition, temperatures are considerably warmer than normal
in waters of northern Australia.
The last passage of the 30 to 50 day Oscillation was during
the fourth week of December, the most likely return period would be the end
of January.
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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