The heavens have opened

Golden canola fields in Harden. Image supplied

Last day of 2019 to July 2020 at ‘Clearview South’ in Boorowa. Image supplied.

Farmers have spent years praying for rain following dry and dusty summers, but recent downfalls have put a spring back in their step.

Luscious green grass, beautiful canola fields and overflowing dams are a few of the reasons farmers are excited about the spring and summer season ahead.

Agronomist and Boorowa farmer Tom Corkhill says they are very lucky to say at this point the drought is over.

“We are up to around 850mm of rainfall in this year to date in the Southern Tablelands, and we are generally a 600mm rainfall area at maximum,” Tom said.

“We have had a winter and spring that is producing huge amounts of grass and we haven’t seen this in recent years.

“It’s easier to sleep at night not worrying about crunching the figures and trying to buy the next load of grain to hand-feed stock.”

Tom Corkhill with his son Jack in their paddocks. Image supplied.

Tom Corkhill is also co-stud master of Normanhurst Border Leicester Stud at Boorowa which had a record breaking sale last week with eager farmers wanting to rebuild flock numbers due to the incredible season and price of livestock.

Farmer Dan McGrath agrees the recent rains will be an immense help coming into the warmer seasons.

“I have been on the farm in Boorowa for 42 years and this is the most amazing season I have ever witnessed because of the pasture growth during late winter – I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Dan said.

“The transformation of the countryside from April since our first rain to late September was absolutely phenomenal and the stock are in magnificent order and the crops have wonderful potential.

“The recent rains and picture-perfect start to spring has relieved many pressures on farming communities who have been struggling through the drought for many years.”