Milking the Weather - December 2010 Edition
Dairy state roundup for spring (September—November 2010)
Northern Irrigation Region (NIR):
All irrigation systems are on 100 per cent allocation with some of the smaller systems also receiving low reliability water allocations for the first time in years. Most farmers haven’t needed to irrigate and will have plenty of water to use to start up in the autumn. Many have considered planting summer crops as well. Hay and silage yields have been good, quality is an issue with delayed cutting and also many are weather damaged with the frequent rainfall events. Locusts are still an issue and pose a large threat over the coming months.
North East:
Periods of intense rain caused numerous flood events in almost all North East Valleys. This has caused large amounts of infrastructure, fodder and forage damage on farms. However this rainfall has allowed rising country to perform very well compared to past years with many farmers expecting to have grazable feed in the diet up until Christmas. Homemade fodder quality is lower due to delayed cutting.
Macalister Irrigation District:
Rainfall has been patchy. Cooler weather delayed seed head phase, with spring arriving later than usual. Silage and hay crops have been plentiful due to good water allocations and milder weather.
South West:
Wet conditions and waterlogging continued into spring delaying fertiliser applications and silage making with some reduction in yield and quality, particularly on heavier soil types. While continued rainfall events have extended the growing season across the district, these have also delayed the sowing of summer crops.
South West Gippsland:
West and South Gippsland experienced very good spring growing conditions. Regular rainfall and mild temperatures delayed spring silage harvest but kept pasture quality higher than normal. Soil moisture is currently very good, providing confidence that good pasture growth will continue into early summer. Summer crops are generally establishing successfully and growing well.
Coastal East:
There has been large variation across the region. The far east has had good moisture so far, however conditions further south were drier during spring. Late spring rain in the Yarram district has brought some relief, however follow up rain is needed for all areas coming into the hotter summer months.
