SEASONAL CONDITIONS AS AT 31 JANUARY 2009
OUTLOOK:
>From the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence:
The monthly value of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) for December
was plus 11.6 and for January plus 8.2. This places the SOI in a
Consistently Positive phase for the fifth month in a row.
Based on historical rainfall records and a Consistently Positive SOI
phase at the end of January, there is a reasonable 50 to 70% chance of
getting above median rainfall during February through to the end of
April across most of Queensland.
STATE DROUGHT DECLARATIONS:
As at 31 January 2009, 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.
RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURES: (figure in brackets indicates average)
North Region:
Early in the month Tropical Cyclone Charlotte crossed the coast near
Karumba. This was followed by an active monsoon trough which kept
conditions wet across the north for the remainder of the month. Late in
the month Tropical Cyclone Ellie crossed the coast near Cardwell dumping
further rain across the region. Flooding occurred across all districts
with levels ranging from minor to major.
Babinda received 1370mm (639) Cairns A/P 882mm (397), Ingham 1053mm
(398), Innisfail 1143mm (n/a), Townsville 664mm (244), Bowen 460mm
(n/a), Charters Towers 348mm (n/a), Georgetown 554mm (n/a) and Normanton
A/P n/a (n/a) and Proserpine A/P 315mm (n/a).
West Region:
There has been significant rainfall and resultant flooding in the north
west, with overcast and cool conditions being experienced during the
month. The Georgina and Diamantina river systems have both had major
flooding. The rainfall has tapered off to the south and west of the
region with more storm rain rather than general rain being received.
Birdsville n/a (43), Boulia 189mm (56), Windorah 130mm (40), Cloncurry
n/a (n/a), Mt Isa 525mm (96), Longreach 131mm (67), Muttaburra 182mm
(91), Winton 268mm (78) and Charleville 67mm (70).
Central Region:
Although there has been variable rainfall registration across the
Rockhampton district with all areas receiving sufficient for some
pasture response, strong winds and high temperatures have limited this
response. Rainfall across the Dawson and Callide has been very patchy
with major variations within a few kilometres. Rainfall from Rolleston
to Gindie, especially east of Gindie has generally been above average
with some local flooding while the area from Gindie to Capella has
experienced average falls. There has been good summer rainfall on the
Central Highlands in particular the southern highlands.
Alpha recorded 48mm (102), Clermont 82mm (102), Springsure 77mm (101),
Mackay 265mm (268), Yaamba 115mm (120), Biloela A/P n/a (n/a), Mt Larcom
162mm (138), Gladstone 103mm (150), Theodore 80mm (100), and Yeppoon
194mm (n/a).
South-East Region:
Rainfall and temperatures have varied markedly during the month. Many
centres have received average or above average rainfall whilst other
districts have missed out on useful rainfall. Some areas north of
Maryborough received rain that caused localised flooding. Temperatures
have generally been mild.
Eidsvold recorded 212mm (101), Gayndah 216mm (117), Mundubbera 190mm
(105), Esk 83mm (132), Kilkivan n/a (142), Kingaroy 65mm (n/a), Nanango
69mm (110), Proston 160mm (95), and Beaudesert n/a (n/a). On the coastal
fringe Bundaberg received 128mm (202), Maryborough 203mm (164), Nambour
122mm (n/a) and Tewantin 192mm (n/a).
South Region:
The best rainfall was recorded in the south west of the region with
Bollon, Dirranbandi and Talwood recording between 75mm to 100mm.
Clifton recorded 24mm (94), Dalby 33mm (n/a), Goondiwindi 53mm (n/a),
Inglewood n/a (82), Oakey 25mm (83), Pittsworth 60mm (85), Stanthorpe
37mm (105), Toowoomba AP 88mm (n/a), Warwick 52mm (n/a), Roma 14mm
(n/a), Miles 56mm (n/a), St George A/P 43mm (n/a) and Taroom 58mm (94).
LIVESTOCK, PASTURES AND WATER:
North Region: Livestock across the region are generally in excellent
condition. Pastures are experiencing good growth but it is possible that
some damage will occur in areas that are inundated by floodwater for
lengthy periods. Inflow into major water storages has provided
irrigation supplies in the Mareeba, Dimbulah and Burdekin irrigation
areas for the coming season. The region's major water storages of
Tinaroo and Burdekin Dams received good inflows this month and are at
96% and 100% respectively. There are no reports of issues for water for
stock.
West Region: Large areas of the Southern Gulf river systems are under
water and will not add to pasture production until floodwaters recede.
Pasture response in the central west is driven by the quality of the
pasture prior to January and the amount of rain received this month.
Consequently pastures range from excellent to very poor. Many producers
in this area have little available feed and stock condition is strongly
aligned to the pasture quality and quantity. However stock in the area
are generally improving in condition as a result of the patchy rain
providing some feed. The south eastern area generally has good standover
feed and has received sufficient rain to freshen up the pastures,
particularly with the cooler conditions experienced for the majority of
the month.
Central Region: Generally stock across the region are reported to be in
good condition. Normal wet season conditions experienced in the north
and sufficient rain for the rest of the region have allowed a start to
pasture response. The Banana shire is more variable with some areas
reporting surface water shortages. Windy weather has reduced the
benefits of rainfall in the southern parts of the region. In the
Rockhampton district stock are generally in good condition and most
calving is complete. Runoff has occurred in most districts. In the
Mackay district there has been good pasture response and stock are in
good condition. Many properties in the Biloela area have had no overland
flows for a long period and some properties that rely on surface water
are very short of stock water. All districts around the Emerald area
have experienced good grass rain with livestock being in good to
excellent condition.
South-East Region: Livestock condition is good to excellent throughout
the region. Stock movements to sale have been average for this time of
year. On farm water supplies are variable with some farms having full
dams while others await runoff rain to replenish water supplies. There
are still many creeks in the region that have not run in the last ten
months.
South Region: Pastures have responded to the widespread summer rainfall
and as a result stock condition has improved. Water supplies are
reported as adequate at the present time.
CROPPING AND HORTICULTURE:
North Region: On the Tablelands crops of maize and peanuts are
progressing well. In the wet tropics some levels of localised wind
damage to blocks within farms in the Tully and Innisfail areas have been
reported and inundation from flooding is expected to cause yield and
production issues. Wet conditions are also starting to impact on sugar
cane crop production with the cumulative effects of cyclones and rain
depressions having soils at saturation point.
Central Region: Sorghum is still being planted on the Central Highlands
and there are reports of increased interest in mungbeans. Some growers
have indicated they will consider sunflowers where profiles are full. A
number of spring sorghum and mungbean crops have been harvested in the
Dawson Callide during January with many yielding above average. Summer
crops currently in the ground are mainly sorghum and mungbeans, with the
occasional corn and dryland cotton crop.
South-East Region: Crops in the region have had up to two weeks setback
with dry conditions which may affect the ultimate yield. The avocado
crop is progressing well to date and fruit set for persimmons is
reported to be good to date. There are also reports of favourable
conditions for soy beans, corn, sorghum and peanut crops throughout the
region.
South Region: The summer crops of corn, sunflower and sorghum on the
Darling Downs are generally progressing well at the present time. Some
early planted sorghum has been harvested with good results in the Dalby
area. In the western areas there was limited subsoil moisture available
and this reduced planting on dryland areas. Sorghum crops in this area
are variable and are generally displaying less than average yield
potential. There has been hail and flying fox damage to some crops in
the Stanthorpe area. The apple harvest is expected to start soon. Good
growing conditions and availability of irrigation water have resulted in
good results from the watermelon harvest in the Chinchilla district.
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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