RAIN has now consistently been falling across large parts of Queensland and New South Wales for a week – with some dry areas now having received their most significant falls in more than a year.

The market has reacted with multiple sales cancelled and the benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator surging 29c this week to crack 1000c/kg carcase weight for the third time this year.

The most significant rain has fallen in the southern half of Qld, with most of the area between Charleville, Roma and Tambo receiving more than 100mm of rain and a more isolated patch around Augathella going above 150mm for the week.

Rain has been more patchy in Northern NSW, however, some areas that are coming off a very dry season have been able to get under the rain.

Rain that has been measured by the Bureau of Meteorology over the past week.

According to Bureau of Meteorology, an area between Moree and Inverell has received more than 50mm in the past week more than 100mm in areas near the coast. However, the falls have been more scattered between Narrabri and Tamworth.

The rain expected to continue into this weekend in similar before becoming lighter at the start of next week.

One producer at Bingara was saying that a combination of about 35mm last week and 15mm this week was starting to add up and make the country look a bit healthier. He had the property virtually destocked.

Significant rain is still on the forecast.

Best rain in three years

Matthew Sargood from the Drensmaine Santa Gertrudis south of Tambo has measured at least 164mm in the past week – which he said had almost doubled his rainfall for the entire year.

While much of the area has had a good season, Mr Sargood told The Week in Beef podcast that Drensmaine was in one of the areas that missed out.

“Up until last week, we had only had 100mm of rain for this year. Whereas properties just above us on the Nive River, they were up in the 500mm for the year and they are only 20km away,” Mr Sargood said.

“We were kind of running out as feed cover goes. We had a minimal year last year with only 200-250mm for the year and we had no surface water on the property.

“It has been three years since we had a fall of more than 26mm.”

Mr Sargood said the weather accompanying the rain was so far shaping up to grow good quality feed.

“It is definitely warm enough to get some growth, it might not go crazy which could be a blessing because the buffel grass can grow too quickly and it is not optimal as far as the nutrients,” he said.

“So, sometimes just having that ground moisture is a better investment.”

Drought declared areas receive more than 100mm

Some areas south of Dalby and Toowoomba, which were officially drought declared earlier this year, have now received more than 100mm for the week.

Peter Bird from Sedgely, a mixed farming operation at The Gums, has now had 125mm since last week. He said only 198mm had fallen in the first nine months of this year.

“50mm of rain in late May allowed us to plant winter crop but with no in crop rain we were lucky to have anything to harvest,” he said.

“Some paddocks from fallow allowed for a silage chop but 75 percent was deemed a failure. Although we only had a small harvest to get off this has not happened yet and it may be a while yet.

“A pivot now to summer planting of grain sorghum and possibly mungbeans will be a welcomed job once it has dried out enough. Dams are by-washing and a green tinge is coming.”