Drought status improves with rainfall
Wednesday July 28, 2010
Cobar’s drought status has improved slightly over the past month, with the potential for more improvement following soaking rains earlier this month.
While the official June status is still considered Marginal for the Cobar Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) area, the situation is described as “improving” in contrast to last month’s “deteriorating” status.
Darling LHPA ranger Robert Neate said in his monthly drought status report that the
region was “on a knife edge” at the end of June, however rainfall in early July ranging from 27mm up to 150mm in some areas has seen a more positive outlook in the past two weeks.
“Generally conditions have slightly improved due to some useful rain in June,” Mr Neate said in his report.
“Rainfall was below average, but effective in keeping the ground damp.”
He said heavy frosts have slowed crop and pasture growth in some areas.
“A small amount of prudent restocking has occurred where pastures are more advanced,” Mr Neate reported.
“Most landholders do not consider there is enough pasture to restock.
“The current high stock prices are also causing landholders to think twice about taking a chance on conditions improving.”
Mr Neate said many landholders are currently undertaking goat control methods.
“Landholders are beginning to realise the impact that feral goats are having on their feed reserves.
“The high prices being paid for these goats at depots are an added incentive for landholders to control goat numbers,” he said.
Mr Neate said while conditions are improving across the region, follow up rainfall is still needed.
“August is always a critical time for farmers,” he said.
“The weather starts to warm up and the effect from this month’s rain can disappear.”
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