DROUGHT SITUATION REPORT
JUNE 1999
During the month Calliope Shire (7.5.99) and the part-shires
of Banana (north of the Dawson Highway -7.5.99) and Flinders (south of the Great
Northern railway line - 18.5.99) were revoked from the Queensland Drought list.
This is the first time since 1991 that the state ahs been free of shire/area
drought declarations. At the end of May 1999, 59 Individually Droughted Properties
(IDPs) in 12 shires remain drought declared. These declarations represent less
than one per cent of the land area of the State.
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
North Region: The run of above-average monthly rainfall
totals came to an end with May generally being drier than normal. Conditions
in the majority of extensive grazing areas continue to be excellent, although
poorer-than-desirable conditions in the Doomadgee district are raising concerns.
Pastures around the Atherton Tablelands continue to be affected by the wet conditions
although cropping and horticulture on the wet tropical coast had some relief
from the extremely wet conditions of the past few months.
West Region: Generally the season continues to be positive.
However, as the winter period approaches, there are isolated areas that are
experiencing drier conditions, indicating positive shortages in the winter period.
Conditions throughout the region have been very mild for this time of year maintaining
pasture growth in many areas following earlier rains.
Central Region: Almost all areas in the region received
below average rainfall for May. The only exception to this rule was the area
south and west of Springsure where above average falls were recorded during
the month. Areas in poorest condition are some of the coastal around Rockhampton.
South-East Region: The month of May was extremely variable
across much of the region. Inland areas have received little effective rainfall
whilst coastal areas south of Maryborough have had significant rainfall. Temperatures
have not cooled off significantly yet and this has been favourable for livestock.
Cropping areas will require at least 50mm of rain in the very near future to
ensure planting of the winter crop.
South Region: Rainfall was below average in most areas
with 25-70mm recorded throughout the month. Winter crop planting has been delayed
in many areas because there has been insufficient planting rain. However, there
is excellent subsoil moisture available in most winter cropping areas. The pasture
has fully matured throughout the month.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
North Region: Stock condition ranges from good to excellent
with producers in the Herberton Shire reporting the best season for a number
of years. There is notable late calving in the Mareeba district with the number
of fat cows quite evident. With the exception of the Doomadgee area, which has
recorded much lower rainfall totals than other districts, there is a considerable
body of feed in all areas.
West Region: Generally stock remain in excellent condition
in most areas as demonstrated in yardings at local fat cattle sales. Stock movements
have increased out of some of the north west areas due to dry conditions, with
animals directed to agistment, subsidiary properties or sale. The remainder
of the area is experiencing normal seasonal conditions with the exception of
the channel country and the far south-west. Pastures have hayed off as winter
approaches resulting in the loss of herbages and with some areas having received
"damaging rains" the quality of pasture has reduced.
Central Region: Livestock condition generally seems to
be good although it is recognised that there are some lighter lines of cattle
and winter has only just started. Pastures in many areas have hayed off significantly
and consequently have lost a lot of nutritive value. It is expected that supplementary
feeding and early weaning maybe widely utilised in some areas this winter.
South-East Region: Stock condition across the region ranges
from good to excellent with the exception of the forest areas north of Kilkivan
and Murgon. Generally throughout the region stock have done well due to the
early start to the summer season. No survival feeding is known to be occurring
in the region. Surface water in all districts is now the best for many years.
Pasture quantity in many areas is still very good, although some areas in the
Burnett are still in drought conditions with very little pasture.
South Region: Grazing animals have maintained average
to above body condition. There has been little need for any forced stock movements,
as seasonal conditions have been positive. However, the quality of the pasture
has deteriorated as winter approaches. Some routine supplementation will take
place to take advantage of available pasture.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE
North Region: Planting of all commodities continued in
the Bowen/Burdekin district under generally favourable conditions. Despite an
improvement in weather conditions in May on the wet tropical coast, the affects
of the abnormally wet summer are evident. Bananas are on the way back as suckers
and plants that were un-bunched at the time the cyclone hit, come into production.
Replacement planting onto new ground is occurring. Harvesting of the maize crop
got under-way, as did planting of the potato crop and some navy beans. Early-planted
potatoes are approaching harvest.
Central Region: Summer crop harvesting is all but complete
with above average sorghum and sunflower yields recorded in the central highlands.
The end of the traditional winter crop planting window is approaching with only
4 - 5 weeks left to plant wheat in most areas. A planting rainfall event will
be needed in most cases to provide confidence for growers to plant. Dry weather
has assisted harvesting and keeping weeds in check but could lead to erosion
problems in time if large areas remain under fallow until spring.
South-East Region: Almost all summer harvests are now
complete. Yields in all crops have ranged from fair to best ever depending on
the location. Most interest is now centred on the rapidly shortening planting
window for winter crops. At least 50mm of rain with significant follow-up is
required in all areas to enable planting to occur. The Maryborough district
is set for a record sugar crop of about 900,000 tonnes this year. CCS levels
are better than expected.
South Region: Although there has been planting of wheat
in wide areas of the region, significant cropping areas are yet to be planted.
The optimum time to plant especially in the western cropping zones has passed.
This will result in reduced yield potential. Vegetable cropping continues without
any problems with water supply. Most of the cropping districts have satisfactory
sub soil moisture levels and dams are full. This should set up the irrigation
supplies for the next fruit crop season.
RAINFALL
North Region: May was generally drier than normal, with
the majority of the north falling in the rainfall range between very-much-below-average
to average. Atherton received 48mm, Babinda 192mm, Innisfail 250mm, Tully 182mm,
Cairns 19mm, Townsville 10mm, Bowen 40mm, Charters Towers 11mm, Herberton 49mm,
Malanda 68mm, Ingham 65mm and Georgetown 0mm.
West Region: Dry areas appear to be spreading and the
June/July period will be the turning point if no beneficial rains are received.
Blackall recorded 55mm, Barcaldine 42mm, Charleville 60mm, Cunnamulla 82mm,
Birdsville 0mm, Boulia 16mm, Windorah 5mm, Longreach 19mm, Muttaburra 6mm, Winton
5mm, Hughenden 0mm, Cloncurry 19mm and Mt Isa 0mm.
Central Region: Dry conditions have continued through
most of the region. Best falls were in the southern Central Highlands where
up to 140mm was recorded. Rockhampton missed out on the May rain and have not
received beneficial rain since early March. Alpha recorded 57mm, Clermont 3mm,
Springsure 63mm, Mackay 55mm, Proserpine 52mm, Rockhampton n/a, Biloela 3mm,
Theodore 5mm, Miriam Vale 27mm and Gladstone 9mm.
South-East Region: Excessive rainfall occurred along the
coastal fringe with most falls only penetrating 50-80 km inland. Consequently
the amounts of rain during the month were significantly lower in inland areas.
Eidsvold recorded 16mm, Gayndah 17mm, Gympie 164mm, Mundubbera 18mm, Esk 18mm,
Kingaroy 34mm, Proston 29mm, Nanango 46mm, and Beaudesert 30mm. On the coastal
fringe Bundaberg received 119mm, Nambour 356mm and Maryborough 145mm.
South Region: Good seasonal rainfall has ensured that
most water sources in the district have been replenished thus providing a certain
degree of water security for the immediate future. Dalby recorded 16mm, Oakey
28mm, Toowoomba 47mm, Inglewood 18mm, Pittsworth 30, Clifton 18mm, Warwick 43,
Stanthorpe 42mm, Roma 30mm, Goondiwindi 37mm and St George 20mm.
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: Although rainfalls in the north region were
average or below average, Burdekin and Tinaroo Dams are still at capacity levels.
Stock and domestic supplies still appear adequate for the remainder of the year.
West Region: There are adequate reserves across the region.
It is reported that the Cooper Channel flood is still to come into the Bulloo
country. Some isolated properties in the Quilpie area have reported surface
water shortages, but generally there are no problems.
Central Region: The best runoff for the month was in the
Pioneer River, where above average flows were recorded. In the southern Central
Highlands and nearby western streams there were lesser flows with virtually
no runoff events elsewhere. Groundwater in most districts has made only modest
recovery except in coastal areas where some reasonable gains have been recorded.
Low streamflows were recorded across most parts of the region during the month
of May.
South-East Region: There has been no change from last
month with Fred Haigh, Wuruma and Cania Dams still recording low water storage
levels. There have been continued flows in all watercourses south of Maryborough,
although runoff in catchments to the north of Maryborough or inland areas has
not been significant. The cooler temperatures have kept evaporation to a minimum,
which has negated to a small extent the effect of low rainfall in the Burnett.
South Region: Storage levels in most groundwater aquifer
systems are stable although the main alluvial aquifer associated with the Condamine
River on the eastern downs remains depleted. The drier conditions have led to
an increased demand for irrigation supplies. Stock and domestic supplies from
groundwater resources remain secure. Streamflows receded in the MacIntyre, Condamine/Balonne,
Weir, and Moonie systems during the past month. The majority of the dams in
the region are holding capacity storage levels.
OUTLOOK The La Nina pattern is still evident in the Pacific
Ocean only in a slightly weakened form. The average SOI over the last 30 days
(as at 2 June 1999) was +2.4. The probabilities of exceeding median rainfall
during the June to August period in some southern Queensland regions has dropped
to 20-30%, with Central Queensland expected to receive above average falls around
60-80%.
Rainfall prospects over the winter cropping areas of central
and southern Queensland are average with the SOI Phase at the end of May indicating
slightly late frosts. However, the frost risk is generally low, as lack of rain
has prevented wide spread planting.
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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