HIGH temperatures and low rainfall have caused a delay for Scenic Rim dairy producers to get their winter pasture crops planted.
Although the Scenic Rim had some cold mornings and evenings in the past week, it seemed warm days brought soil temperatures above average for this time of year.
Rye grass, oats and barley used for grazing cattle or producing hay are the main winter crops grown in the Beaudesert area.
Access to water in the Kerry Valley will be getting tight because the Albert River doesn’t have a dam at the top of it.
- Beaudesert Elders manager Michael Cox
Fourth generation Round Mountain dairy producer Thomas Brook said a little bit of rain in April helped get winter crops started.
“We were pretty lucky that we got our oats in when there was enough rain and moisture, it was a big fluke,” he said.
Mr Brook said the drop in temperatures over the last week had assisted the crops but more rain was needed.
“The rye grass likes the cool weather but the warm days aren’t helping,” he said.
“This time of year we normally water every 10 days and now we’ve gone to every five to seven days.”
A recent Rabobank survey showed that, due to dry weather and low commodity prices, 76 per cent of Queensland producers had a negative outlook on the agricultural economy in the past six months.
Beaudesert Elders manager Michael Cox said the low rainfall had caused an increase in irrigation and put pressure on water supply in some areas.
“Access to water in the Kerry Valley will be getting tight because the Albert River doesn’t have a dam at the top of it,” he said.
“It is slowing down and as it does get more dry there’s going to be more people wanting to irrigate from it.”
Mr Cox said producers on the Logan River were more fortunate because there was a dam that allowed a steadier water supply, however there were extra costs associated with irrigating.
“With no rainfall to supplement irrigating it does become expensive,” he said.
