SITUATION AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2008
OUTLOOK:
>From the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence:
Based on the monthly Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) values recorded
for October of plus 14.2 and for November of plus 17.4, the SOI has
remained in a Consistently Positive phase.
An analysis of historical rainfall records and a Consistently Positive
SOI phase at the end of November indicate a reasonable 60 to 80% chance
of getting above median rainfall during December through to the end of
February throughout the eastern third of Queensland (east of a line
running from the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria through to the
central Darling Downs). There is a 40 to 60% chance of getting above
median rainfall for December to February throughout the rest of the
state.
For example Bundaberg has an 80% chance of getting above its December to
February median rainfall of 405mm, Proserpine has a 75% chance of
getting above its December to February median rainfall of 855mm,
Charters Towers has a 73% chance of getting above its December to
February median rainfall of 335mm, Toowoomba has a 68% chance of getting
above its December to February median rainfall of 353mm, Yuleba has a
65% chance of getting above its December to February median rainfall of
220mm and Longreach has a 55% chance of getting above its December to
February median rainfall of 190mm.
STATE DROUGHT DECLARATIONS:
As at 30 November 2008, 54.3 percent of the land area of Queensland is
drought declared under State processes. There are also nine
Individually Droughted Properties (IDPs) in a further three areas.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURES AND WATER:
North Region: Good early storms in many districts have been a welcome
relief to some very hot conditions. Pasture response in the extensive
grazing areas has been good. Minor flooding occurred after heavy
downpours in the districts around Townsville, Charters Towers and in
coastal parts. Overall seasonal conditions across the north are fair
for this time of year. Livestock are in good forward store condition
and are entering the good growth period of the year where increased live
weight gains can be expected. The region's major water storages of
Tinaroo and Burdekin Dams are at 73% and 93% respectively.
West Region: Those areas that have had rain on pasture with existing
response are starting to build some bulk in the pasture. Areas that
had little pasture cover and also had rain, developed some herbage and
perennial pasture response. Areas to the east of the region generally
have plenty of bulk. Some patchy relief rain has been recorded in areas
around Winton, Kynuna, Julia Creek west to Boulia, Camooweal, Bedourie
and Urandangie as well as patches south of Longreach, Jundah and
Windorah although there is considerably more rain required for recovery.
Stock condition is entirely in line with the pasture conditions. Most
of the channel country is now destocked or running very low numbers.
Stock in the north and west of the region are generally losing condition
and requiring supplementation where possible. In the east stock are
generally in strong condition. Some producers relying on dams and
surface water in the central and western areas have declining reserves
with some semi permanent waterholes in the Georgina and Diamantina
systems now dry.
Central Region: In the Clermont district, pasture quality and quantity
is good and improving especially in the north where better rainfall has
been recorded. Livestock are reported to be in excellent condition.
There have been variable falls recorded in the Rockhampton district
during the month and stock are generally in fair to good condition
although lactating breeders are struggling in drier areas. Pastures are
looking good in burnt areas where rain has fallen. There are reports of
a very dry area in a strip from north of Kunwarara towards the
Broadsound where pastures are very short and dry. Water supplies are
reported as very low in the Jambin district and in the Moura area. A
good proportion of the hinterland in the Mackay area has recorded storm
activity with resultant pasture response. Coastal areas are still
waiting for rain and pastures are of low quantity and quality.
Hinterland cattle are productive but coastal cattle are generally low in
condition. Extensive feeding is taking place in all coastal areas and
on the fringe of the hinterland. Useful falls have been recorded this
month in the Biloela district and stock are generally in good condition.
There is good quality and quantity of pasture in the Emerald district
and some burning has taken place to control woody weeds. Livestock are
reported to be in good condition.
South-East Region: Record storm rainfall was recorded in the Lockyer
and Bremer River catchments causing significant damage to
infrastructure, stock and crops. Further north in the region there was
below average or average rainfall for the month. Livestock condition is
rapidly improving following the recent rain. Sale cattle numbers
continue at normal levels and there is no known full drought feeding
currently occurring. Pasture quality and quantity is improving with
warm moist conditions. There are still many major dams and watercourses
that need significant rain for replenishment, however the situation is
the best for many years on many farms throughout the region.
South Region: Rainfall since September has been average to above
average throughout the region and pastures and stock condition have
responded accordingly. Pasture growth has generally been vigorous on
the Darling Downs and the good start within the Maranoa Balonne district
has continued. The Taroom area has received follow up rain which has
maintained pasture response. There is no widespread handfeeding of
stock being reported. Stock water supplies appear adequate.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE:
North Region: The wheat harvest on the Tablelands has finished with
average yields. The potato harvest is in its final stages and yields
have been slightly lower than expected. Planting of summer crops of
maize and peanuts is under way. The cropping season in the Bowen
district has all but finished and growers are preparing to or planting
cover crops. The mango season is under way. Banana production is doing
well in the wet tropics and growers have been planting new blocks of
bananas and paw paws after rain delays last month. The northern cane
crush is well on its way to finishing and good growing conditions across
the region have provided an ideal start for the 2009 crop.
Central Region: Rainfall in the Dawson Callide has been variable during
November and there has been an increase in the number of hot and humid
days. The rainfall was generally below average which allowed harvesting
of late planted wheat and barley crops following rain delays during
October. Crop yields have generally been at or above average although
quality of wheat crops has been variable. Early to mid season plantings
have suffered from frost and/or a lack of moisture during grain fill in
some crops which has led to high levels of screenings. The rainfall
experienced close to harvest has helped start replenishing soil moisture
profiles and some growers are considering a double cropping opportunity
early in the new year. Small areas of sorghum have been planted to
date.
South-East Region: In the South Burnett all winter crops have now been
harvested with some good yields reported. There have been significant
areas of corn, peanuts, mung beans, soybeans, sunflowers and sorghum
planted in the district and some early corn crops have already
tasselled. However, hot dry conditions have caused stress in some of the
summer crops planted. Extensive flood damage occurred on properties in
the Rosewood area and also in nearby Prenzlau, Tarampa, Glamorgan Vale
and Fernvale.
South Region: Rainfall has delayed the winter crop harvest and caused
downgrading of wheat in some areas, with high screenings reported as a
result of earlier dry growing conditions. Sorghum and corn crops
planted on the eastern Downs have received beneficial rain. There are
average or greater soil moisture conditions reported in the Maranoa
which should assist forthcoming planting and crop production. There has
been very good rainfall recorded on the Granite Belt with falls over
150mm in some places. Dam storages are secure as a result and vegetable
and fruit growers appear to have sufficient water to carry over the
summer period. There was hail damage recorded late in the month around
Stanthorpe.
RAINFALL (figure in brackets indicates average)
North Region: Babinda received 123mm (222) Cairns A/P 58mm (100),
Ingham 98mm (112), Innisfail 128mm (n/a), Townsville 112mm (55), Bowen
8mm (n/a), Charters Towers 133mm (n/a), Georgetown 184mm (n/a) and
Normanton A/P n/a (n/a) and Proserpine A/P 3mm (n/a).
West Region: Birdsville n/a (12), Boulia 41mm (19), Windorah 51mm (16),
Cloncurry n/a (n/a), Mt Isa 78mm (24), Longreach 42mm (23), Muttaburra
47mm (31), Winton 38mm (28) and Charleville 43mm (42).
Central Region: Alpha recorded 49mm (46), Clermont 60mm (64), Springsure
86mm (66), Mackay 32mm (88), Yaamba 136mm (67), Biloela A/P n/a (n/a),
Mt Larcom 97mm (89), Gladstone 103mm (81), Theodore 16mm (86), and
Yeppoon 177mm (n/a).
South-East Region: Eidsvold recorded 23mm (78), Gayndah 59mm (86),
Mundubbera 49mm (80), Esk 195mm (87), Kilkivan n/a (81), Kingaroy 92mm
(n/a), Nanango 114mm (85), Proston 101mm (76), and Beaudesert n/a
(n/a). On the coastal fringe Bundaberg received 88mm (101), Maryborough
71mm (105), Nambour 235mm (n/a) and Tewantin 218mm (n/a).
South Region: Clifton 233mm (85), Dalby 135mm (n/a), Goondiwindi 121mm
(n/a), Inglewood 167mm (69), Oakey 15mm (61), Pittsworth 168mm (83),
Stanthorpe 154mm (85), Toowoomba AP 110mm (n/a), Warwick 201mm (n/a),
Roma 55mm (n/a), Miles 67mm (n/a), St George A/P 41mm (n/a) and Taroom
64mm (75).
Information provided by:
REGIONAL SERVICES
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 Environment & Resource Management and Primary Industries & Fisheries. |
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