NSW Farmers Celebrate 145mm Rain After 6-Month Drought

For Harry Lucas, the sound of rain hitting his roof near Brungle felt like relief pouring from the sky. "It was like it was raining headache relief pills," he said after 46mm ended months of carting water to his thirsty livestock.

Nearly half of New South Wales has been gripped by drought, with farmers across the Riverina and Central West battling bone-dry conditions for six months. But a tropical low-pressure system changed everything over the past few days, bringing the region's best rainfall since September.

The numbers tell a story of hope. Bribbaree recorded more than 145mm, while Moulamein farmer China Gibson measured 110mm in his gauge. At Cowra, Brett Treasure woke up to 100mm of rain and immediately made plans to release his sheep from the feedlot.

The rain arrived just in time. Grazier Peter Morphett, who farms north-west of Booligal, said producers were beginning to destock because feed had run out. His property received between 26mm and 85mm across different paddocks.

"Certainly, the fingers will be further away from the panic button now," Morphett said. "There won't be as much stock offloaded."

The downpour is already working its magic. A creek at Killimicat Station that had been dry for more than three months is flowing again. Perennial bushes like saltbush are freshening up, and the trees have taken on a brighter shade of green.

The Ripple Effect

This rain means more than just water in the gauge. For China Gibson, it means he can stop hand-feeding his sheep and watch pasture growth instead. For Linda Yerbury between Temora and Young, the 74mm gives her hope to plant crops this year.

Brett Treasure at Cowra has oats, barley and grazing brassica ready to go the moment the ground is dry enough to work. Chris Groves, who received 97mm between Cowra and Canowindra, had watched storms pass north and south of his property for months. "But we were under the right cloud this time," he said.

Farmers are quick to note this isn't drought-breaking rain. They'll need follow-up showers over the coming weeks to properly set up winter cropping programs. But after months of watching their land turn to dust, the sound of rain on the roof is something worth celebrating.

The rain has given southern NSW farmers something they desperately needed: hope for the season ahead.