It’s been a long time but the Murrimboola Creek causeway is flowing again after sitting stagnant for months. The recent rain will not only help local agriculture but the rest of the community as the flow on effect permeates through the town. A bumper year looks to be in store for 2016.
The region was blessed earlier this week with nearly 50 millimetres of rain falling from Sunday to Tuesday. The rain has lifted the spirits of townsfolk and farmers alike, with most farmers currently in the process of sowing. “Most people were pressed pretty hard knowing that this [the rain] was coming through,” said Andrew Kennett of Kennett Rural. “They’ll be glad to see a bit of a break. It will take about three or four days to get back out on the ground.” “The rain finished for a while, and we need a period of fine weather.” Farmers had been frenetically sowing prior to the rain, with the majority of the crops sown being grazing cereals and canola. “In the last two or three years, the focus has been on grain crops. This year, there is not as many earlier crops with the late breaks,” he said. “Grain-only crops will be sown later in the year.” The average rainfall up to May is 220 millimetres, with this year’s rainfall currently sitting at 210 millimetres. Last year, it was only 150 millimetres. The rain is having an effect, not just in greening up our lawns and paddocks, but also for increasing confidence. This is especially true given the current high Canola prices. “Canola is looking very strong, topping out at $550 at port. It is a good opportunity to lock some forward sales in,” said Andrew. “The rain gives the confidence to do that. The more money back in farmers’ pockets, the more that is spent in town. There is a strong correlation there.” “There is nobody in the local community who doesn’t benefit from this,” he added.
