Southern farmers relish mud

After two dry seasons, South Coast and Great Southern farmers are getting bogged and relishing the mud.

After a dry April and May, cold fronts in June brought precious rain that dampened soil moisture profiles, trickled into dams and stimulated pasture growth.

Last month, 80mm of rain was recorded in Narrogin, 76.4mm in Katanning and 123mm in Albany.

Tractors spreading urea have been bogged as well as trucks carting Flexi-N, and farmers hand-feeding stock are getting stuck in the mud.

George Pollard, who farms with his brother Tom in Kendenup/Cranbrook, said they had not had a bogged vehicle for two years.

They recorded 65mm of rain for June, compared with 32.5mm last June.

The rain has brought renewed optimism for the season, but George said there was still a long way to go.

The brothers started seeding early this year and are currently putting the first application of urea. They have been hand-feeding sheep and George said it would continue for at least another month.

But not all farmers received much-needed June rains. In the Wheatbelt, Kulin only recorded 24.2mm and Kondinin slightly higher at 27.4mm.

Salmon Gums and the Shire of Kent are still declared water deficient and many farmers are carting water.

If your vehicle got bogged recently, send a photo and a brief description to yoursay@countryman.com.au