Benefits from rain outweigh any damage on inner Darling Downs

According to Elders senior broadacre agronomist Andrew Millers, Toowoomba, farmers in a line east of Dalby through to Millmerran have received good falls with little impact to their crops.

“The benefits in the rain certainly outweighs any damage, and it has set up their summer planting beautifully,” Mr Millers said.

“Farmers now have full ring tanks that have been dry for two years, while dryland farmers have good moisture profiles.

“Unfortunately west of that line, the rain has caused significant damage and winter crops are swimming in the Goondiwindi and Moree districts. 

“Many of those farmers will now make management decisions to forfeit their winter crops, and start summer planting.”

In the Traprock District, wool producer and large-scale stone fruit grower Julie Pratt, Tolando, situated 55km west of Stanthorpe, has recorded 233mm since August.

“Traditionally August and September are our driest months, but the rain has filled our dams and given us a good moisture profile for summer grass,” Julie said. 

“The moisture in the ground at the orchard will give us a good yield from the fruit trees.”