Optimism returns to north western NSW

After years of heart-breaking drought, the north west region of NSW is coming alive. We can only hope for a run of good seasons to follow.

This is what it's all about. On a road trip out west this week we found little Harry Cameron in a ripper wheat crop north of Burren Junction. He already has a firm handshake and loves the feeling of crumbling good, black soil in his fingers. His parents and grandparents grew the wheat crop you can see behind him. They grew it because at the end of the day, they want a profitable, healthy and sustainable piece of land to hand onto the next generation. They want this little fella to have the opportunity. It is such a promising, happy time out west at the moment. It really is incredible what rain can do; how it can make people feel.

Twelve months ago the drive from Narrabri to Walgett was enough to break your heart, but this year it’s a very different story. Bumper wheat crops, fat cattle and rows of promising little cotton plants line the highway. Apart from an unbelievably wet spring, which caused flooding and some significant chickpea losses, the year has been an unforgettable drought breaker. Wheat crops going over 5 tonnes to the hectare is unheard of west of Burren Junction, but at the moment the country is showing cropping capabilities far greater than many ever thought possible. With 500 000 hectares of cotton planted, steers going over $4/kilo at the saleyards and merino wool consistently fetching $10/kilo, the spirits of those on the land are well and truly picking up.

Though a wet harvest would put a dampener on things, at least it’s raining. At least there is some reassurance that it still rains out west. For those families that have battled through three, four or even five terrible years, we can only imagine the feeling of watching the last load of a bumper harvest trundling off to the silos. Now for a much needed run of good seasons to restore hope, return our rural communities to full strength and bring families to the bush.

Posted on Thursday, 17 November 2016
in Latest News
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