A further 30mm of rain in the Cootamundra region this week has placed farmers in a better position than they were in at this time last year, but it's still too early to say the area has recovered from drought.
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That's the opinion of Landmark agronomist Mark Golder, who says a slightly above-average rainfall of 57mm in May, followed by good falls of 38mm so far in June, have helped make up for a near-record dry April.
"The OK falls in the last couple of weeks mean we're definitely heading on the right track and we're in a reasonable position at the moment," Mr Golder said.
"The lack of rain in April (Cootamundra recorded only 1.4mm compared with an April average of 50mm) held us back but there was reasonable rain in late March which helped some of the early grazing corps.
"The grazing cereals have been coming along well but our pastures have been slow this year.
"The country that's going to be the longest recovering is the hill country around Muttumah and Gundagai that got grazed heavily or lost ground cover during the heavy rainfall events, so that it hasn't got so much of the benefit of the recent falls which have tended to run off."
Mr Golder said that while Cootamundra was now in a better position than last year, "you wouldn't have to go far west or north of Young or west of Stockinbingal to find it tapers off".
As for the prospects for the rest of the season, he says says there's a noticeable lack of confidence, with farmers being understandably gun-shy after last year.
"They're being conservative about what they're doing, waiting to see if there'll be good rains in July and August before they go ahead with applying more fertiliser, one of the most expensive inputs in farming.
"Given that there's a fair bit of carry-over from last year, with some nitrogen left in the soil bank, they're holding back with their urea top dressing.
"But that could change dramatically and they could ramp it up if there are good rains in July and August - their yield expectations will increase, and therefore their nitrogen input requirements."
Mr Golder said slow pasture growth and high lamb prices had resulted in most growers selling non-breeding stock, so that they can carry their breeding stock more easily.
The story is similar with cattle, although prices haven't been as high and growers have been willing to take a price penalty to reduce the load on pastures.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has written to the member for Riverina, and deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, asking for the council area to be drought declared.
By having the area drought declared, the council could be eligible for up to $1 million funding as part of the Drought Communities Program, designed to support local infrastructure for communities and businesses impacted by drought.
Project funding is intended to provide short-term support, including the boosting of local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs.
If the area is drought declared, benefits may become available to local farmers affected by drought through the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Rotary Australia World Community Service.
