Other than a few isolated places in the west of the Region there has been little need for supplementary feeding. The rain and warm weather have stimulated the growth of summer pasture species in most parts of the Region and the flush of new pasture has resulted from the widespread rain. In the wet tropics, December delivered ideal growing conditions for bananas with high production the result. However, because of the cyclone earlier in the year, production in affected areas is synchronised and a glut exists at this time. With good rain and some patchy storms planting of the peanut and maize crops on the Atherton Tablelands escalated.
Rats continue to be a problem in many cane growing areas.
It has been cooler than normal and this has reduced evapotranspiration in those crops planted but has also reduced growth rates. Most crops already planted have a full profile of moisture and are progressing reasonably well with only a few crops planted on marginal subsoil moisture suffering moisture stress. A significant proportion of the summer crop is yet to be planted and will most likely consist of sorghum, mungbeans and some corn, despite poor prices. In the Maryborough Mill area up to 7 weeks of crushing for cane has been lost due to wet weather. Some cane will be left as standover for next season due to the wet conditions and the poor ratoon growth of cane cut very late in the year.