Following the Riverina’s driest June on record, data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) released for July reveals rainfalls crept closer to the monthly average, with 52.2mm recorded for Wagga. 

Wagga BoM predicted a possible thunderstorm would deliver between 8 and 20mm. 

“Today’s heavier falls relate to a low pressure trough moving through NSW,” a spokesman Wagga BoM said.  

“A series of cold fronts are predicted to result in continued light showers through the week.”  

Dr Muhuddin Anwar, research agronomist from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, said crops need at least 30mm to be out of hot water. 

Dr Anwar said rainfall has been consistently less than average and a strong summer rain is needed to ensure high cotton yields. 

“The stress from a dry, cold start to winter on wheat and canola crops will likely impact negatively upon the yield,” Dr Anwar said.

He said it’s still “early in the season” and more detailed crop simulation modelling will be available by the end of August. 

The bureau’s rain forecast for August-October predicts below average rainfall, however there’s a high likelihood of more than 25mm around Wagga. 

Bethungra farmer Bill Muller was optimistic about the forecast following falls last week.

“As long as we’re getting a bit to keep the ground moist, we’ll be right,” he said. 

He said his oats and his son’s canola and wheat crops were “looking well”. 

Mr Muller is more concerned about running water out of dams for livestock.

“I have a dam that’s only about a third full, it’ll be empty by February at this rate,” he said.  

Farmer Martin Honner grows canola, wheat and barley on his property in Junee. 

He said while the dry June and cold July certainly had an impact, comparatively the region is getting some of the best falls in the state. 

“I’m just treating it as a normal harvest,” Mr Honner said. 

“All you can do is grow and hope for the best.”