DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT
FEBRUARY 1999
A feature of the month of February was very high rainfall
in some areas of the State, particularly South East and North Queensland.
At the end of February 1999, 13 shires and 2 part shires
remain drought declared along with 102 Individually Droughted Properties (IDPs)
in a further 19 shires. These declarations represent approximately 7.8% of the
land area of the State or 7,795 out of the 55,545 Department of Primary Industries
registered livestock enterprises.
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
North Region: Cyclone Rona and it's impact upon cropping
in the Wet Tropics region are the major points of note of the month. Much of
the Wet Tropics region has been declared a Natural Disaster Area by the Department
of Emergency Services due to widespread flooding in the area. Whilst horticulture
in the Wet Tropics faces uncertainty in relation to production, the beef industry
throughout the north continues to enjoy and long and productive growing season.
One area of concern remains the possibility of poor quality pastures, with limited
nutrients diluted through a large body of plant matter.
West Region: Hot and dry conditions throughout most of
the region have hayed-off pastures considerably. Little or no significant rainfall
was received throughout the west. Some producers are beginning to be concerned
that the wet season is finished. However, stock are in a good strong condition
and if follow-up rain is received over the next month, much of the region will
be set for an excellent season. Without follow-up rain, deteriorated pastures
will not sustain prolonged productivity.
Central Region: Rainfall varied widely across the region.
Stock and pasture are in excellent condition. Some rain fell at the end of February,
and this was timely for crops that were flowering or filling grain. Irrigation
and stock water supplies are secure throughout the region with the exception
of the Lawgi area near Biloela. A bumper summer crop is expected this year in
the Central Highlands districts. Elsewhere crops are expected to continue to
grow well, and yield reasonably.
South-East Region: Many southern coastal and near coastal
districts have received record rainfall. Damage because of flooding has been
reported. The region bounded by Cooloolah in the north, west to Barambah Creek,
and south to the Queensland - New South Wales border was declared a Natural
Disaster Area due to widespread rainfall and flooding events.
South Region: Heavy rain fell on the eastern parts of
the Region, with falls for the month reaching 200mm. The pasture in most areas
is in reasonable condition, although in some western areas it has dried off.
Crop production has benefited, overall, from the excellent rain.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: A satisfactory wet season for the Gulf region
ensures that pastures and livestock are in good condition. West Region: Pasture
response to the rainfall received in the area has been excellent, and stock
have started to gain condition. The region west of Boulia continues to remain
a notable exception, with little rainfall relief being received. In the south
west, pastures have been very dry, and as winter promoted heavy growths of herbage,
the recent hot weather has burnt the remaining pastures off.
Central Region: Stock condition throughout the region
is very good. Pasture is in good condition throughout the region, with even
the drier parts of the region exhibiting excellent pasture quantity and quality.
South-East Region: The condition of livestock throughout
the region ranges from good to excellent. The rain has improved pastures which,
generally, were already good. With the exception of some coastal and near coastal
areas, the quality and quantity of pasture is excellent. In those coastal areas
affected by continued rainfall and/or flooding, pasture quality is degraded,
with pastures becoming rank and overgrown. Some dairy farmers along the Mary
River system sustained significant losses to fodder and maize. Some ensiled
crop was also lost to flooding.
South Region: The excellent rainfall through the spring
and summer months has ensured continued livestock production. Grazing animals
have maintained average to above average body condition. The hot wet weather
has encouraged summer pasture growth.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: Along the Wet Tropics coast, Cyclone Rona
caused major problems for bananas, papaws, and tropical tree fruits. Loss of
trees and fruit occurred. More normal conditions prevailed in the Bowen/Gumlu
district, although it was a month in two halves, with a dry start and wet finish.
Chopping in of cover crops and the first planting of tomatoes and capsicums
followed a period of fallow in line with agreed local code of practice. By the
end of the month, it is estimated that half the growers had commenced the new
season. Sugar production in the Wet Tropics was adversely affected through a
reduction in CCS and yield, as a direct result of Cyclone Rona.
Central Region: Late planted mung beans and flowering
sorghum crops have benefitted from the rain in the Dawson/Callide region. The
rainfall has reduced the quality of some earlier mung bean crops, as it fell
at harvest time. Some cotton crops in the area were also adversely affected,
having been defoliated prior to rain. In the Central Highlands, bumper crops
for sorghum, corn and sunflower are expected. In fallow ground, weeds are difficult
to control, but if the good season continues, the prospects for winter crop
are expected to be good. The cane crop in the Proserpine region continues to
grow well, with early estimates being between 2.1 and 2.3 million tonnes of
cane being crushed this season.
South-East Region: Rainfall for crops has been well received
except in those areas affected by flooding. Damage to crops has been observed
throughout the Sunshine Coast region, along the Mary River north of Gympie.
Other areas affected by flooding in the region include Byee and Moffatdale on
the Barambah Creek, and areas above Wivenhoe Dam on the Brisbane River. In the
region, lychees, mangoes, pineapples, tree crops, tomatoes, capsicum, sweet
corn and pumpkins are being harvested. Preparation for planting of snow peas,
cherry tomatoes, button squash, zucchinis, strawberries is being undertaken
in those areas throughout the region where these crops are grown. The outlook
for citrus at Gayndah is good, with reduced pressure on irrigation water supplies
due to the recent rain.
South Region: Harvest of sorghum, sunflower and mung bean
crops is under way with many producers pleased with yields and quality. Locust
populations continue to be monitored, as the threat of rising numbers is of
real concern. On the Granite Belt, table and wine grapes continue to be picked.
Chill hours for apples has been insufficient this season, resulting in negative
affects upon yield, size and shape.
RAINFALL
North Region: In most areas throughout the north region,
average to above average rainfall was recorded. Atherton received 616mm, Babinda
1078mm, Innisfail 850mm, Tully 1291mm, Cairns 337mm, Townsville 313mm, Bowen
254mm, Charters Towers 99mm, Herberton 649mm, Malanda 684mm, Croydon 129 and
Georgetown 323mm. Topaz recorded the highest rainfall in the state, receiving
1446 mm during the month.
West Region: Most centres in the west region recorded
below average rainfall. Some centres recorded nil rainfall for the month, well
below average for a period which is usually monsoonally influenced. Blackall
recorded 79mm, Barcaldine 12mm, Charleville 120mm, Cunnamulla 36mm, Birdsville
0mm, Boulia 5mm, Windorah 3mm, Longreach 13mm, Muttaburra 2mm, Winton 5mm, Hughenden
89mm, Cloncurry 42mm and Mt Isa 36mm.
Central Region: Although typical wet season activity has
been low, there have been showers and storms across the region. Alpha recorded
79mm, Blackwater 93mm, Clermont 76mm, Dingo 65mm, Springsure 90mm, Mackay 319mm,
Proserpine 225mm, Rockhampton 109mm, Banana 125mm, Biloela 103mm, Theodore 111mm,
Miriam Vale 143mm and Gladstone 61mm.
South-East Region: Some areas of the south east region
recorded record levels of rainfall, with most centres throughout the region
recording above average falls, especially those in the south eastern corner.
Flooding was experienced in some areas of the south east. Totals include Eidsvold
51mm, Gayndah 102mm, Gympie 478mm, Mundubbera 55mm, Esk 361mm, Kingaroy 162mm,
Proston 174mm, Nanango 241mm, Gatton 91mm and Beaudesert 131mm. On the coastal
fringe Bundaberg received 141mm, Nambour 923mm and Maryborough 228mm. Of particular
note, Maleny recorded 880mm and Yandina recorded 1008mm during the month.
South Region: Much of the Region again received useful
rainfall. Totals include Dalby 161mm, Bell 77mm, Oakey 114mm, Jondaryan 128mm,
Toowoomba 246mm, Inglewood 100mm, Pittsworth 162mm, Clifton 80mm, Warwick 43mm,
Stanthorpe 84mm, Roma 46mm, Goondiwindi 93mm and St George 112mm.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: Continued rainfall has maintained the Region's
major storages at or close to capacity. Major storages such as the Burdekin
Falls Dam and Tinaroo Dam are at excess capacity Stock water supplies are expected
to be sufficient for the upcoming season. Underground water supplies remain
variable in the Bowen and Burdekin areas where bores still have not returned
to pre-drought levels, although some recharging of the aquifers is occurring
since the rain received this month.
West Region: Recent floods in major water courses have
provided abundant supplies. All major water courses in the area have had significant
flows and in particular, the Diamantina River has delivered excellent overflows
down its channels.
Central Region: With scattered showers and storms across
the region during January, water storage facilities remained constant with some
minor inflows causing rises in flows and current volumes throughout the area.
Water harvesting has been permitted in the Fitzroy, Dawson and Mackenzie Rivers
for most of January. The minor storages in the region remain full or near full,
but major storages need further replenishment. The total inflow to Fairbairn
Dam during winter and spring totals over 500,00 megalitres, which is above the
mean annual flow. This amount of inflow will ensure that there is a good allocation
of irrigation water for 1999/2000. Stockwater is in good supply throughout most
areas of the region.
South-East Region: Fred Haigh, Wuruma and Cania Dams are
still at low levels despite some inflows being recorded. Out of allocation water
and water harvesting period has been continued for longer than expected on the
Burnett River. Due to record rainfall in the Brisbane Valley, flood gates on
Wivenhoe Dam were opened for the first time in 8 years. South Region: Streamflow
totals were above average throughout the Condamine-Balonne and MacIntyre catchments.
Groundwater levels on alluvial and sandstone aquifers remain relatively stable
despite irrigation demand. Some recharge was recorded in the basalt aquifers
in upland areas. The seasonal outlook for the coming autumn months remains positive.
The major storages continue to either remain at capacity, or continue to increase
water holding.
OUTLOOK
A La Nina pattern is now firmly established in the Pacific
Ocean. The average SOI over the last 90 days (as at 3 March 1999) was +8.9.
The probabilities of exceeding median rainfall during March to May period are
60-70% in many coastal districts of southern Queensland. We are entering that
time of year when the sea-surface temperature pattern and SOI can change rapidly.
The next passage of the 30- to 50- day Oscillation is due about the first week
of March.
The current seasonal outlook is indicating increased activity
in sorghum ergot, particularly in late-planted crops in the Central Highlands;
increased leaf diseases in summer crops; and rain may interfere with cotton
harvesting. Burning stubble before planting this year may be necessary to control
yellow spot.
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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