Wellington farmers, land holders and the Western Plains Regional Council will be counting the cost of the floods which have inundated farming areas near the town.
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In July 1990 it was estimated the damage bill exceeded $15 million.
A major corn crop was lost along with other nearby produce.
This flood has not been so severe but farmers are hurting.
One farmer reported all 3 of his properties near Wellington were all covered with water.
Wellington based CRT agronomist Michael White said the heavy rainfalls and flooding is spelling disaster for local farmers.
‘’Cropping does not require rain all the time, it requires good subsoil moisture to sow into, the rest of the year it enjoys good sunshine. So over-wet years are not grain years. We have reached a time of over-saturation.’’
Mr White says he is very concerned for farmers west of Wellington as well.
‘’There are hundreds of thousands of hectares in Narromine, Nyngan, Coolai, Condobolin which are being smashed by this rain and low lying waters.’’ he said.
‘’Rain leaches nutrient over the ground, crops do not like wet feet, so it turns soil, there is no air in the soil.
“We have got weeds, fungal diseases occurring, farmers can’t get on the ground to do anything about it.’’ he said.
Chickpeas are the only crop he sees profitable, the prices are skyrocketing.
There is also deepening potholes in many streets and on the Macquarie River concern for erosion. The former Wellington council urgued action on this 4 years ago and recieved a small amount but there maybe need for rehabilation following the surge of water.
Many experts on the matter predict banks may cave in because of the fast flowing of the river.
The Burrendong Dam has been risen in water level to 46.7% it received 94,000 megalitres of water in the widespread rain which swept the area.
More rain is expected on Friday. The Bell river peaked at 6am at 6.4 metres on Thursday but receded later to 5.8 .