Farmers welcome three states' big wet
Drenching rain in three states has come at a great time for grain farmers and graziers, the National Farmers Federation says.
An east coast low this week brought heavy rain across most of NSW and a wide area of central Queensland, which have been in the grip of a long dry spell, while a series of strong cold fronts has delivered rain to the south-west of Western Australia.
NFF president Brent Finlay says the rain has come at a good time in the cycle for wheat and grain farmers, while graziers have hope for good spring grass growth for their livestock.
"The rain has boosted everyone's spirits," Mr Finlay said.
"The (weather) systems in the last week have been notable because of the size of the systems.
"They were huge systems and those are the things we need to change weather patterns like El Nino or a dry pattern.
"One weather system won't break a drought but it might start to change the conditions."
Grain farmers in areas of southern Australia whose crops have been damaged by frost may still benefit, Mr Finlay said.
That region enjoyed one of the strongest autumn breaks in years, which left farmers expecting bumper crops this year, but farmers hit by heavy winter frosts could still earn income by turning damaged crops into hay.
