SITUATION AS AT 30 APRIL 2007
OUTLOOK:
According to Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F)
climate staff, despite the fluctuations in value of the Southern
Oscillation Index (SOI) during April there has not been any significant
shift in rainfall probabilities. Based on historical rainfall records
and a Consistently Near Zero SOI phase at the end of April there remains
a 40 to 60% chance of getting median rainfall throughout Queensland for
May through to the end of July.
The current soil water conditions, rainfall received to date and the
seasonal climate outlook indicate a below average wheat yield during the
2007 wheat-growing season for most of Queensland. There are though the
usual variations. In central Queensland there is a 30 to 50% of getting
above long-term median shire wheat yields compared to southern
Queensland where generally there is only a low chance (less than 30%) of
getting above long term median shire wheat yields.
STATE OVERVIEW:
While rainfall has generally been below average across most of the state
during the month of April, above average temperatures were experienced.
Pasture quality and quantity is generally poor to average in the south
and south east of the state. North Queensland pastures have peaked and
are now in their normal seasonal decline. Water supplies are adequate
in the west and north of the state. Overall, livestock condition ranges
from poor to very good. Growing conditions for cane, vegetable and
tropical fruit crops in the north has been perfect in April. There is a
lack of irrigation water supplies and cropping in the south and south
east has been severely affected by the poor season.
Following recommendations from the Local Drought Committee (LDC), the
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries drought declared the
remainder of Bauhinia Shire as at 11 April 2007 and Isis and Kolan
Shires as at 16 April 2007. Further to this, the Minister for Primary
Industries and Fisheries revoked from drought the southern portion of
Dalrymple Shire as at 2 April 2007 and Emerald Shire as at 10 April
2007. As at 30 April 2007 there are 76 shires and 1 part shires drought
declared under State processes, which is equivalent to 61.9% of the land
area of the State. There are also 39 Individually Droughted Properties
(IDPs) in a further 10 shires.
REGIONAL SUMMARIES:
North Region: Overall April generally consisted of below average
rainfall and above average temperatures across the north. In the
extensive grazing areas pastures have peaked and are now in their normal
seasonal decline. Growing conditions for cane, vegetable and tropical
fruit crops has been good. Apart from a few isolated areas across the
north region, seasonal conditions appear to be as expected for this time
of the year. There have been no reports of drought feeding programs
being undertaken.
West Region: Rainfall has been minimal across the west although there
does not appear to be any immediate water problems in the region.
Overall livestock are in average to good condition although as winter
approaches there is some expectation that condition will fall away.
Stocking rates remain low on all properties. Mitchell grass in the
Richmond shire has not had the opportunity to set seed this year. In the
Paroo and Bulloo shires where flooding occurred, some "fattening" feed
in the form of native sorghum and other palatable native species have
grown. Overall water supplies appear to be holding across the whole
region.
Central Region: The majority of areas across the region received well
below average rain for April and as such stock and pasture condition
varies widely. In the Emerald district the shire has experienced good
pasture response which has assisted stock to maintain condition. There
has been a noticeable increase in the number of cattle movements as
properties continue to destock. Sorghum crops planted in February are
now either nearing the end of flowering or in grain fill phase.
Mungbean crops have almost all been harvested. Below average rainfall
has assisted in the harvesting of the remaining summer crop. There have
been some reports received that underground water supplies are falling.
South-East Region: Rainfall received during April has been below average
for much of the south east. Livestock condition varies widely throughout
the region while pasture quantity is generally in very short supply. The
quality of the pasture is generally poor across the district.
Supplementary feeding has commenced in some areas although many
producers are continuing to destock their properties significantly. Lack
of adequate supplies of both irrigation water and stock water continues
to be a problem for many producers.
South Region: Generally throughout the region pastures are in low
quantity and quality. Stock condition ranges between fat score 2 to 3
with many producers now supplementary or drought feeding. Water and
irrigation supplies continue to be an issue for the region although some
areas do have adequate bore water supplies.
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES:
North Region: There is a still a good quantity of pastures available
even though it was a relatively late start to the wet season. However,
in some areas, namely the Townsville, Charters Towers, Georgetown and
Burketown districts, pastures have begun to dry off. Malanda and
Innisfail Stock Districts generally have a good widespread body of
available pastures. Cattle are returning in low numbers to the Charters
Towers area as pasture feed supplies increase. Stock in the north are
generally in a good to very good condition. There are no reports of any
drought feeding happening in the north.
West Region: April has been very dry across the region with virtually
no recorded falls. Rainfall during summer has been variable and patchy
ranging from some significant falls to areas that received little rain
at all. While all the rivers in the region have run the variable
rainfall during the summer has produced very mixed pasture growth
response. This pasture response ranges from very good to nil. The warm
to hot conditions in March and April have increased the rate of maturing
of all pasture species except those areas with good subsoil moisture.
The far west received both good rain and significant flooding in the
Georgina and to some extent the lower Diamantina channel country and the
pasture response has been fair to good. Diamantina and Cooper creek
systems had predominantly gutter runs with some medium flood out events
in the middle Thomson and upper to middle Cooper. Flooded areas have
produced good response maturing rapidly in the early autumn. The Desert
Uplands bioregion has generally had good rain although there are some
properties with little rain and subsequently poor pasture response.
North of a line from Dajarra to the Muttaburra is generally better
rainfall and pasture response however still variable as for the Desert
Uplands. Rainfall across the remainder of the region has been extremely
patchy however many producers received rain on at least some part of
their property allowing most to suspend supplementation. Pasture
conditions on those properties has now deteriorated to the point that
producers have little confidence in their ability to feed their stock
over the winter and have increased the rate of de-stocking. Stock
condition varies across region ranging from fat to poor depending on the
pasture quality and quantity however condition is deteriorating across
all categories as pasture quality continues to decline as pastures
mature. Deteriorating stock condition can be expected to accelerate as
pasture condition and quantity reduce. Stocking rates also vary with the
majority of properties in the region holding between 10 and 60 % of
normal numbers.
Central Region: The majority of areas across the region received well
below average rain for April. Stock conditions generally vary from a
fair to very good condition. Pastures vary with Belyando shire having
received good rain and pasture should hold well going into winter.
Emerald shire has a good pasture response and stock are in a good
condition. However, other areas namely Calliope Shire, the Mt Morgan
range and back to Dululu and Wowan are void of a lot of pasture.
Pastures have dried off in a lot of areas and the nutritional value is
falling away. Mackay is generally in a good condition along with parts
of the Central Highlands. Cattle movements have increased as graziers
are assessing what available resources they may have for the up and
coming winter months. Some areas are supplementary and drought feeding
stock.
South-East Region: Livestock condition varies widely throughout the
region. Around Bundaberg dry cattle are in a reasonable to good
condition although breeders with young claves are felling the effects of
the dry weather and are starting to lose condition. Generally, cattle
in the Kingaroy and Nanango shires are in a fair to good condition also.
Because of the varying stock condition across the region saleyards have
seen cattle ranging from a poor to excellent condition during March and
April. Dry cows and weaners are being sent to the saleyards in high
numbers as producers continue to destock their properties going into
winter. Pastures quality and quantity has conditioned to be poor across
the district. Pasture is scarce in most areas and while the little
rainfall that has been received has stimulated growth, hot conditions
and dry winds immediately after the rain has burnt the new growth off.
Supplementary and drought feeding has commenced in some areas.
South Region: In April the south region experienced below average
rainfall. The majority of pastures in the area are low in quantity and
quality. However, some areas around Northern Taroom and Stanthorpe
received some patchy storms and those properties who were lucky enough
to benefit from this rain have experienced an increase in pasture
growth. Stock are generally in an average condition for most of the
region. Stock are holding condition in the areas that have received some
rain. Many graziers have destocked over the extended period of the
drought and are running a minimal number of head of cattle to ensure
survival. Supplementary and drought feeding is occurring in many areas.
Prices for feed an increased and prices for stock is low which leaves
many producers with a hard economic decision to make.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE:
North Region: Fine and warm days have provided perfect growing
conditions in the wet tropics for Banana and paw paw crops. The
cropping season in the Bowen district is well underway with good prices
available for tomato crops. Crops of melons, corn and capsicums are also
being harvested. Growers on the Tablelands have commenced planting
early potato crops. Also on the Tablelands growers are preparing to
commence harvesting grass seed crops such as Rhodes, Signal, Floren and
Gatton Panic during May. Generally, legume seed crops are growing well
and flowering at present. Early planted peanut crops have commenced
harvesting with the main harvest due to commence in May. Cool nights and
warm days have been providing ideal cane growing conditions with the
exception in the Tully district where wet and overcast during the month
has the cane growing slowly. In the Burdekin dryer conditions this month
have generally been ideal for cane growers with planting underway.
Ratoon cane is growing well. Growers have commenced final watering of
early crops before drying down for the start of the harvest in June. In
the Herbert district cane growers are busy spraying weeds and slashing
with many growers already planting.
Central Region: April has seen little rain throughout the Dawson and
Callide valleys with no major rainfall events to report. Areas fortunate
enough to have received good rain earlier in summer have some moisture
in their profile but for many parts, significant rainfall will be the
key to any winter crop planting. Irrigation areas are looking dry also
with reduced allocation in all areas. Those with water have and continue
to plant fodder crops as demand for hay has rapidly overtaken supply in
the last few weeks. The lack of rain has been terrific for harvesting
the last of the region's summer crop. Sorghum crops planted in February
that are now either nearing the end of flowering or in grain fill phase.
Mungbean crops have almost all been harvested.
South-East Region: Rainfall received during April for the south east
coastal region has been well below expectations. There have been no
reports of storm damage occurring in April. Avocado harvesting of the
Hass variety continued through April. Custard apple harvesting has
continued with reports of good prices being achieved. Macadamias are
still being harvested although prices for the nut in shell have
continued to fall. Reports received indicate that persimmon fruit supply
from some orchards has been affected by drought and lack of water.
Harvesting is expected to continue into May. Strawberry planting was
successfully completed by mid April with the first pick expected to take
place in May.
South Region: The sub-soil moisture profiles are depleted in many areas
across the South Region. Water and irrigation supplies continue to be an
issue for the region. A lot of the summer crops have failed. The current
outlook for winter crops is not promising unless substantial rain
replenishes the depleted soil moisture profiles and provides planting
rain. Many fruit and vegetable growers south of Stanthorpe have
exhausted dam storages and some vegetable growers have stopped planting.
The north side of Stanthorpe and some areas west have adequate water
storages for this season.
RAINFALL (figure in brackets indicates average)
North Region: Babinda received 219mm (571) Cairns A/P 70mm (224),
Ingham 70mm (219), Innisfail 121mm (n/a), Townsville 5mm (61), Tully n/a
(n/a), Bowen 12mm (n/a), Charters Towers 0.0mm (n/a), Georgetown 0mm
(35) and Normanton A/P n/a (n/a) and Proserpine A/P 52mm (n/a).
West Region: Birdsville A/P n/a (12), Boulia 0mm (14), Windorah 5mm
(22), Cloncurry n/a (n/a), Mt Isa 0mm (16), Longreach 0.4mm (41),
Muttaburra n/a (37), Winton 0.0mm (33) and Charleville 10mm (34).
Central Region: Alpha recorded 8mm (27), Clermont 0.0mm (43), Springsure
15mm (46), Mackay 90mm (154), Yaamba 1mm (53), Biloela A/P n/a (n/a), Mt
Larcom 8mm (56), Gladstone 6mm (54), Theodore 7mm (49), and Yeppoon 10mm
(n/a).
South-East Region: Eidsvold recorded 22mm (50), Gayndah 24mm (47),
Mundubbera 22mm (42), Esk 14mm (73), Kilkivan 2mm (66), Kingaroy 11mm
(n/a), Nanango 19mm (57), Proston 20mm (52), and Beaudesert 10mm (82).
On the coastal fringe Bundaberg received 15mm (70), Maryborough 35mm
(87), Nambour 24mm (153) and Tewantin n/a (n/a).
South Region: Clifton 26mm (52), Dalby 14mm (n/a), Goondiwindi 24mm
(n/a), Inglewood 1mm (48), Oakey 17mm (47), Pittsworth 11mm (47),
Stanthorpe 32mm (53), Toowoomba AP 17mm (n/a), Warwick 12mm (n/a), Roma
17mm (n/a), Miles 47mm (n/a), St George A/P 8mm (n/a) and Taroom 8mm
(41).
WATER STORAGE/SUPPLIES
North Region: Water storages are in good supply for this time of the
year with folding in many rivers and creeks during April. The major
water storages of Tinaroo and Burdekin Dams are at 92% and 95% capacity
respectively.
West Region: Water availability is generally good across the region.
Surface water has been replenished to some extent however some larger
dams have not been filled. Bore water remains in good supply.
Central Region: Underground water supplies are falling across the
region. Water in catchments such as dams is a concern as there has been
very little storm rain.
South-East Region: Lack of adequate supplies of both irrigation water
and stock water continues to be a problem for many producers.
South Region: Water is still an issue with the majority of all storages
continuing to fall.
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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