Milking the Weather - June 2011 Edition
Dairy state roundup for autumn (March—May 2011)
1) Northern Irrigation Region:
After the record-breaking summer rainfall, soils have dried out rapidly with many farmers irrigating at last minute before the season cut out in mid May. There is good sub soil moisture and most crops and pastures are growing well, although growth rates have slowed as soil temperature dropped.
2) North East:
Cold temperatures during May saw pasture growth slow, while cooler temperatures and high summer rainfall resulted in less over sowing needed on most perennials and biannuals. More selective spraying has occurred this season due to increased summer weeds. Overall, the North East is generally looking good due to recent rainfall.
3) Macalister Irrigation District:
Continued rainfall through autumn has resulted in low irrigation usage. Pastures were wet at particular times but have fared well overall, drying out nicely in May. As a result growth rates have been fairly good. Pasture quality in March was poor due to weed invasions over summer. During April and May the pasture quality improved as perennial ryegrass growth increased. Dry land pasture growth has been above average, making agistment available.
4) South West:
High rainfall has continued from summer into the autumn period, with many areas already dealing with the challenge of waterlogged pastures and slow pasture growth. Areas to the north of the region have had less rainfall than the southern areas, and are experiencing better pasture growth, however this has slowed towards the end of May.
5) South West Gippsland:
Continued rainfall through autumn sees most farms with soils at field capacity with significant areas having saturated soils. Less sunlight hours slowed late autumn pasture growth considerably. Silage feeding commenced by late autumn which is much later than normal.
6) South West Gippsland:
Continued rainfall through autumn sees most farms with soils at field capacity with significant areas having saturated soils. Less sunlight hours slowed late autumn pasture growth considerably. Silage feeding commenced by late autumn which is much later than normal.
