RAINFALL across the Riverland and Mallee has been a continued source of optimism for dryland farmers, however, more will be needed to see crops through the growing season.
Loxton-based dryland farmer Paul Rudiger said dry conditions in June meant a recent rainfall event of approximately 7mm had been crucial.
“We had nearly 7mm on Saturday (two weeks ago),” Mr Rudiger said.
“We haven’t had a lot in the past month but that 7mm is fantastic and there’s forecasts for more to come… so fingers crossed we can get another 7mm.
“We had good rain in April, but the month of May was a bit light on, and now we’re halfway through June and haven’t had a lot yet.
“It doesn’t sound like a lot of rain, but 7mm is actually enough at this time of year for us.”
A further 5.2mm of rain was recorded in Loxton between Sunday night and yesterday afternoon, with 3mm also falling in Renmark during the same period.
Mr Rudiger said the rainfall would help mitigate impacts of frost that extended across the Riverland earlier this month.
“Our crops are at the stage where they are starting to draw on a bit of moisture,” he said.
“Some of our crops have been in the ground for a couple of months already and some are at the tillering stage, so we need rainfall.
“The little bits of rain now are ideal, especially after we had a week and a half of frost conditions. That frost dries the ground out, so a bit of moisture after that is good to help things growing.”
Mr Rudiger said periodic small rainfall would sustain his crops through the season, however a larger event would be optimal before spring.
“Coming into July we need a bigger rainfall event to get us into spring,” he said.
“We need a 15 to 20mm rainfall event in the next six weeks. If we could ask for something, that would be on our list.
“But if we keep getting 7mm events every few weeks we can’t complain about that. At this stage of the season it’s ticking over really nicely and we’re happy where things are at.”