MORE than 50mm of rain fell across the Moree district early Monday as farmers and contractors scramble to finish the biggest harvest on record – and they’ve dodged a bullet.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 43mm in Moree to 5am, Monday, with some residents recording much bigger falls.
Contractors have enjoyed a relatively clear run across the district as harvest operations wind up and machinery starts heading south.
Kenway and Clark CEO, Pete McCann, said the rain fell at the right time.
“You could safely say 80 per cent of the harvest is finished up this way. Overall, it’s been a cracker, and a good run, too,” Mr McCann said.
“The harvest has been very good, and hopefully it will keep raining – it was a hell of a rain band that came across.”
Falls varied across the region.
Carrington, 30km south-west of Moree, received nearly 70mm while around 50mm fell in the Millie district, including 56mm at Orlando.
Heathfield and Reno, near Mallawa, received 46mm and 45mm respectively and 35mm fell at Spring Plain, about 30km south of Mallawa.
More than 40mm fell at Myralga, near Merrywinebone, and Castlebar, west of Burren Junction, received nearly 50mm.
Muldoon, about 15km south of Moree near Tycannah, received 36mm.
Moree farmer Eric Carrigan, with crops at Tyrone and Glenroy south of Moree, finished a record harvest a week ago.
“It’s been the best in my lifetime – and I’ve been in the game for 54 years,” Mr Carrigan said.
“Even the sub-par country was good, and the overall average was way up on other years.
“Overall, everyone got good crops, particularly the western fellas.
“Gurley’s usual intake in a big year is always around 88,000 tonnes. Apparently, there’s over 100,000 tonnes there at the moment and it’s still coming in.”
Mr Carrigan said last night’s deluge came at the perfect time.
“I measured 47mm in Moree and out at Tyrone there was 25mm,” he said.
“Most people out my way have summer crops in, so an inch of rain on that is beautiful.
“Things are going all right,” he smiled.
Mallawa farmer Henry Moses said good falls were recorded west of Moree.
“We had 40mm at Bullarah and 60mm at Mallawa. We’re still harvesting but close to finishing,” he said.
Eastward, near Terry Hie Hie, falls between 19mm and 30mm were recorded.
Falls were much smaller to the north, with less than 10mm measured in the Croppa Creek-North Star area.
More rain is forecast for the district for the next three or four days.
“We never say no to rain,” Pete McCann said.
Words: Bill Poulos
