Farmers relieved as rain hits
BUNDABERG farmers have breathed a collective sigh of relief as much-needed showers rained down earlier this week after one of the driest Augusts in the past decade.
On Sunday, a reported 7mm fell around Bundaberg with up to 16mm and 21mm recorded in Burrum and Walla.
Austchilli managing director David De Paoli recorded a total of 30mm on his property and said the rain had come as a godsend after unseasonably dry weather.
"If I had ordered a shower, I don't think it could have been delivered better."
"We had the perfect amount - just enough to soften the top and get some moisture in while we cultivate but not enough to hamper our operations."
Mr De Paoli said the Goodwood Rd property had looked decidedly dusty after more than a month of dry weather.
"I can't remember the last time we've had a decent shower," he said.
"It was starting to get pretty dry."
The last notable rainfalls in the Bundaberg region were a shower of 4.2mm on July 28 and 52mm of rain on July 15.
A total of 7.8mm this past month - well below the historical August average of 35mm - made it the driest August the Bundaberg region had seen in three years.
Weatherzone forecaster Willemien Phelan said there was a high likelihood of more showers at the end of the week and into the next.
"There is a high chance that more showers will be on the way," she said.
Barbera Farms director Guy Barbera said the rain would give new plantings of tomatoes and capsicums on his property a kick along.
"As long as we don't get too much it will be okay," he said.
There have been no complaints about the dry spell from canegrower Dean Cayley who has enjoyed high CCS levels thanks in part to low rainfall during harvest.
"Harvest conditions have been pretty good and dry weather means there are no delays and ensures sugar levels are high," he said.
