A very dry Summer
Here at Willarah Farm, we’re really feeling the impact of the dry conditions. So far, February has only brought us 23mm of rain, with the heaviest fall just 10mm in one day. That’s well below the historical February average of 56.5mm over 6.4 rainy days. Our rolling 12-month rainfall total is also sitting noticeably lower than usual at 694mm, compared to the long-term annual average for the area of 1514.6mm. The lack of rainfall has pretty much dried off all our pasture, which means we’re already having to think ahead about feed and water management. We’re keeping a close eye on conditions and looking at ways to make our irrigation and grazing strategies as efficient as possible to get through this dry spell.
A dry summer like this doesn’t just affect pasture growth—it has a ripple effect across the entire farm. With limited feed available, we have to start supplementing livestock sooner than expected, which adds extra costs and stress. Water is another major concern. When dams and water sources run low, we’re forced to ration and monitor every drop more closely, ensuring there’s enough to keep stock healthy. The pressure of making these decisions, especially when the forecast offers little relief, can weigh heavily on farmers.
Beyond the financial and logistical challenges, ongoing dry conditions can take a real toll on mental well-being. Farming is unpredictable at the best of times, but when you’re constantly watching the sky for rain that never comes, it’s easy to feel disheartened. It’s times like this that you really think about how tough it must be for farmers who rely solely on their land for income. The uncertainty, the long days spent trying to manage limited resources, and the worry about what the coming months will bring—it all adds up.
That’s why keeping connected with other farmers and communities is so important during dry spells like this. Whether it’s sharing advice, swapping feed strategies, or just having a chat with someone who understands, support networks can make all the difference. The images below show a comparison of our vegetation cover compared to February 2024 and our recorded rolling rainfall average for Willarah Farm. Hopefully, we’ll see a break in this dry cycle soon, but until then, we’ll keep adapting, planning, and hoping for rain.
Autumn Pasture
Renovating this paddock for autumn pasture isn’t just about improving productivity—it’s about safety too. Some of the ground has become dangerously uneven, and when you're bouncing around on a tractor, it’s not just uncomfortable, it’s a real hazard. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s nice to keep all your teeth while checking the cows!
We’ve been reluctant to take this step because we know cultivation can lead to some loss of soil carbon. Keeping our soils healthy and full of organic matter is a priority for us at Willarah Farm, but in this case, the condition of the paddock has made renovation unavoidable. To minimize the impact, we’re taking a strategic approach.
We’re starting with a forage oat crop, which should establish quickly once the rains arrive and provide some valuable winter feed. Oats have the added benefit of improving soil structure and offering good ground cover to reduce erosion risk. Once that’s established, we’ll over-sow with a perennial ryegrass and clover mix. The ryegrass will give us a reliable, high-quality pasture, while the clover will work its magic fixing nitrogen, helping to rebuild soil fertility naturally.
It’s always a bit of a balancing act between short-term needs and long-term sustainability, but by taking this two-step approach, we’re hoping to get the best of both worlds—productive pasture and healthier soil for years to come.
