However the planting window for dryland cotton will close in early November. Sorghum plantings will continue until January but late plantings have an increased problem with insect and maturity problems. The majority of fruit growers did not require water throughout winter but the demand for fruit trees will increase from this point. Vegetable growers require a continuity of supply. October was wetter than normal for almost all of the north with the exception being part of the Mareeba district.
Water supplies present no problem in most areas.
Surface water levels have dropped in the Georgetown area but remain adequate for stock watering purposes. The western Warrego district, which was severely affected by frost earlier in the year, is in need of good soaking rain and run-off to fill dams and run creeks. It was steady, soaking rain with patches of very heavy storm rain. High totals were recorded and some moderate runoff resulted in limited parts of the district. The highest streamflow occurred in the Calliope River and moderate stream flows were recorded in the Comet, Nogoa and Mackenzie Rivers.