There has been little respite for sugar cane from heavy rain since Cyclone Rona. Opportunities for planting have been few and far between, and it seems unlikely that much can be achieved before May. Late sorghum and mungbean crops were affected, with loss of quality in some mung bean crops. Rainfall over the past month in most areas except the Central Highlands has ensured that there is a full profile of soil moisture for winter crop plantings. The cotton harvest around Emerald has progressed well after a poor start due to wet weather and most growers will finish picking this week.
Prospects are good for the winter crop.
Rainfall in most of the cropping areas has been excellent however there was major damage to crops along watercourses from flooding in February. Generally for crops out of flood areas the rain was welcome. Rainfall in the North Burnett has been low and further rain would be beneficial to finish off later crops. In the Bundaberg district vegetable crops such as cabbage and lettuce were badly affected by the wet weather. At Gayndah the outlook for citrus is good with rainfall reducing the need to irrigate.