The 'green' drought

Back from the bush where welcome rains have soaked the ground. Excuse the imperial talk but Dad recorded 8” in June and 4” thus far in July. The tanks are overflowing but the dams are only half full. Good quality steady rains have soaked the earth and lays in puddles around the place. A bit more rain will flow to the dams.


Some farmers took a gamble and planted their winter crops. Many thought it too risky with expensive seed and held back. The promising season has convinced many to hold back their lambs and cattle from the markets with the plan to build back up their breeding stock. Good sign for the land but not our grocery bills.

I didn’t hear any complaints from my country family and friends. My mother refers to the winter rains as a ‘green drought’. Not the sort of Green drought most of us would appreciate – but one where the rains have triggered a wonderful surreal flush of green across the countryside but with the winter cold no growth and therefore no feed. With follow up rain and a warm spring this should change.

I spoke with a machinery dealer in town who was contemplating his largest springtime machinery order in 4 years. Fingers crossed for a good spring with follow up rains.