Rain at last

Darling Farms Manager John Carter says the February rain has helped his crop enormously. Photo TWH

Over 50mms of rain fell at Bourke over Thursday, Friday, and early Saturday morning, bringing relief for everyone.

Rain fell intermittently last Friday night, but came in storm cells that soaked the town and pastures around Bourke.

The rain is a godsend for local irrigators who were short of water as they finish cotton crops after a relatively hot and dry summer.

Darling Farms Manager John Carter says the rain has certainly lifted the crop after some hot weather and the prospects of running out of water.

“This rain has bought us five days and taken the pressure off much of the crop that was starting to get thirsty,” Mr Carter said.

“We are still short of water, but this rainfall has been a big boost, and much of the crop is now looking great”.

Veteran Bourke cotton grower Tony Thompson said the 53mms he’d received at Prattenville last week was helpful even though cotton bolls had started to open.

“The crop is looking good at this stage, and we are quietly optimistic of some good yields. Rain at this point in the crop cycle isn’t always the best thing, but when you live and farm at Bourke, you never complain about a drop of rain,” Mr Thompson said.

“We have not pumped any water from the river in this latest flow due to restrictions and licence conditions – so we’ve had to rely on stored water.

“And coming up to our last irrigation, and with everyone running short of water at Bourke, this gives us more time to get the crop finished.

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