Mr. Craig Bell

Rural Solutions SA Consultant Craig Bell said the season had not been too bad, but the region could do with a little more rain.

But this season's harvest would benefit many farmers who were struggling after years of drought.

"The grain prices have been good, which has kept the farmers going," Mr Bell said.

Rural Solutions SA farming consultant Craig Bell said the rain was "perfect" to open the season.

He said because the rain fell over a few days, the moisture had time to soak into the ground instead of running off.

"Farmers will (definitely) be happy with that, but it would have come in handy earlier," Mr Bell said.

Mr Bell said some farmers would already be sowing paddocks which had a minimal chance of weeds germinating.

"From now on we will need follow up rains," he said.

Coonalpyn recorded the highest rainfall for the region, with 34mm, and Coomandook had 27mm of rain.

Mr Bell said farmers would begin to spray as weeds showed through in the next week and rain would be welcome from then onwards.

He said the farmers who had begun dry-sowing after the light rain in early May would be happy with the timing of the weekend's rain.

The rain is expected to continue up until Saturday and Rural Solutions SA sustainable agricultural assistance consultant Craig Bell said this would "almost guarantee" a harvest for farmers.

Mr Bell said the rain had come at the right time.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast strong winds for the Murraylands in the coming days but Mr Bell said it would more likely be hot winds after the rain that would compromise the crop.

Rural Solutions SA farming consultant Craig Bell said the rain in the Murraylands was "not really enough" for farmers to start their cropping season.

"It would have been nice to get 30 to 40mm, it is still reasonably dry out there but we can still have a break up until the end of May," he said.

Rural Solutions SA consultant Craig Bell agreed with Mr Koehler, saying good opening rain was needed in the next few weeks.
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"If we get a good opening rain of around 25 millimetres, a soaking rain like that would give farmers a chance," Mr Bell said.

Craig Bell, Consultant Rural Solutions SA

Craig BellRural Solutions08 8535 6421

Craig BellRural Solutions08 8535 6421

Rural Solutions SA sustainable agricultural system consultant Craig Bell said the rain had both benefited and disadvantaged farmers.

"It's a bit of a double edged sword really," Mr Bell said.

"The rain will increase moisture in soil, but it also creates summer weeds.

Mr Bell said while some farmers must spray the weeds to control them, others with livestock could benefit."If you have livestock there may be some potential for grazing (the weeds)," he said.
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According to Mr Bell, farmers need rain most weeks if they were to have a good season after the lack of rain they experienced last year.

"It needs to rain consistently for farmers to get any benefits," he said.

PIRSA Rural Solutions SA sustainable agricultural systems consultant Craig Bell said it was disappointing to see farmers struggle once again through the season.

Considering the early start and strong start - it is really bad, he said.

With no follow-ups after the early break, crops have been affected really badly.Mr Bell said it was an unusual winter that has ruined many crops and damaged plenty of others.

He said established crops could survive, but others would be badly damaged.

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