Irrigators are likely to be encouraged by predictions of a wetter season ahead with the Bureau of Meteorology indicating the giant El Nino weather event may give way to La Nina.
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Rice farmer Glen Andreazza said recent wet weather had improved soil moisture across the area.
“It’s been timely and welcome,” Mr Andreazza said. “The indications are that it’s going to be much wetter than usual. My personal opinion is it will either be very dry or the rivers will be in flood, I’d be surprised if there was any in-between.”
The El Nino was one of the three biggest on record, similar in size to the 1997-98 and 1982-83 events according to Karl Braganza, head of climate monitoring at the bureau. Models also point to an even chance that a La Nina will take hold this year. Typically during La Ninas, winter-spring rainfall is above average.
However, Mr Andreazza said you can’t control the weather.
“We don’t have to go to a casino to gamble, we gamble on the land,” he said.
Stephen Mudd
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
