This week’s declaration of a La Niña event this summer was met with disappointment across the region following three wet, dreary, and flooded summers. Local farmers have their own fears about what the summer might bring if the ground doesn’t begin to dry out soon. 

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) declared that the third La Niña event is underway in the Pacific, increasing the likelihood of above-average rainfall during Spring and Summer in the eastern parts of Australia. 

With parts of the Western Plains already being under flood warning, La Niña has clearly made no delay in her arrival. 

Burren Junction-based farmer Fletcher Harris said that most farmers know what to look out for when it comes to La Niña, and is expecting a drawn out harvest. 

“It’ll be a testing year…it’ll definitely test our patience,” Mr Harris said. 

Last year, rain meant more than damage to crops, but bogged machinery and difficulty for trucks accessing properties.

While general rain across the Western Plains has meant that cropping got off to a slow start this year, Mr Harris is choosing to see opportunity. 

“A lot of people missed out on getting in their winter crops, but I think it will be a good year for summer crops,” he said. 

Last year’s La Nina event meant utter disappointment for some, with some seeing more crop damage than others. 

“It all averages out because you might not get the top grain grade, but if there’s been a lot of rain, there’s usually a lot more grain being produced,” Mr Harris said. 

“Everyone’s case is different, it depends how you want to look at the situation,” he said. 

NSW Farmers Business, Economics and Trade committee chair John Lowe is less optimistic about the season.

“People just haven’t had time to prepare for more rain because it has been so wet already,” Mr Low said. 

“While output for agriculture has been at record levels because of all the moisture, in some places it will actually be stopping people from getting onto paddocks to harvest their crops,” he said.

“Catchments are so full that there will be a chance of major floods if we get too much rain in the wrong place, we’re just going to have to prepare the best we can and hope for the best.”

Models from BOM indicate this La Niña event may peak during the spring and return to neutral conditions early 2023.