Winter crops – that have survived water logging – are due to be wind rowed in the next two to three weeks.

Yet some parts of the region are still almost impossible to access because of the sheer amount of water laying around. Darryl Harper of “Wyalong 3”, farms at Ariah Park and Barmedman in southern NSW. 

He said accessing paddocks in time for wind rowing was certainly a topic of conversation in the Riverina at the moment. 

In a bid to prepare for accessing the paddocks he has fitted his tractors with an “extra set” of wheels.

He emphasised that the additional wheels were smaller in diametre to avoid any transmission damage.

Yet these wheels were hoped to “catch the machine” when it went into wet areas.

“If you are going to do this, it is something that needs to be organised now,” he said. 

In 2003 and 2010 – also wet years in the Riverina – some farmers resorted to using machines fitted with tracks or commissioned contractors who had this type of equipment.

“There won’t be enough of these machines available this year,” Mr Harper said.

He also said the state of the roads – and access following wet weather – was set to be a challenge for rural contractors. 

“We are now hoping we don’t get anymore rain and  the crops can come through this waterlogging and that they are healthy enough to help dry the soil out,” he said. 

The logistics of handling the wet season is also on the agenda for summer crops.

A meeting – in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area – on Thursday this week was planned so rice and cotton growers could discuss the implications for sowing.  

The Griffith Wet Weather Strategy Workshop featured a presentation from Irrigation Research and Extension Committee president Rob Houghton.