The horizon looks a little different in north west New South Wales this winter.
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After several years of drought crippling grazing and cropping enterprises in the region, much-needed rain early in the year has turned the landscape from dry and dusty to green and lush.
For the Greentree family, who own several properties in the Mungindi district, as well as country at Walgett, rain in February has made for a complete turnaround.
"Last winter we only planted probably 20 per cent, and this year it has been 100pc," Tom Greentree, Quisisana, Mungindi, said.
"We have 15,000 hectares of wheat planted and 800ha of barley. We're in the best position we've ever been as in the crop is in the best position it's ever been and it's fantastic really."
The Greentrees kicked their planting off with Sunmax wheat in mid-April, followed by Coolah and then Gregory and Suntop at the beginning of May.
They then moved on to Compass and Spartacus barley.
"We got all of the rain pretty much in February; we've had 400 millimetres since the start of February and some country is up to 450mm," Mr Greentree said.
The February rain has been bolstered by essential follow-up falls, putting the crop in a good position.
"We've had lots of little rain events; we haven't had a big fall but it's just been enough to keep everything ticking along.
"Our Walgett country had 50mm last week, where compared to Mungindi here it's been 10 to 15mm every fortnight or three weeks.
"It's certainly not struggling, it's very comfortable, but we will need a substantial rain event in August or early September to finish it off because they've grown into such big crops."
Mr Greentree said the outlook is a far sight better than last year.
"It's a lot better than dust and it all being dead. It's a very good turnaround and a very good feeling."
It's a feeling that's widespread in the central west of the state, despite the patchy nature of the falls similar to what fell across southern Queensland and allowed for a winter crop on the Downs.
"Not too far north of me and a long way south is looking very good, pretty much right to Coonamble or Dubbo," Mr Greentree said.
"But there's definitely pockets and places that have had more and less rain, it hasn't been consistent."
