LAND-HOLDERS across much of north-western New South Wales and southern Queensland are anxiously peering skyward in the hope of rain – and plenty of it – as they prepare for planting season in the coming weeks.

There is rain predicted over the next fortnight, with good falls expected in the second week of this month.

The team at Shepherd Grain, led by CEO Todd Jorgensen, has the knowledge, advice and products to help grain-growers start their winter cropping.

Bill Adams, seed manager, at Shepherd Grain’s purpose-built Burrington Road site, is passionate about improving farm productivity through innovative solutions.

He says there are several planting options ahead of a predicted dry winter.

“As the calendar moves to May, thoughts turn to what can we plant if it rains,” Mr Adams said.

“At Shepherd Grain, we have a few options to consider for a late start with limited moisture.”

The Moree district has in recent years recorded record wheat harvests after substantial rain at the right times produced bumper crops.

Mr Adams says wheat variety Sunmaster is ideal for this neck of the woods.

“Since Sunmaster was released six years ago, it has consistently been one of the highest yielding varieties across the northern region,” Mr Adams said.

Shepherd Grain’s Bill Adams (left) and Todd Jorgensen have plenty of planting options for grain-growers considering winter crops.

“This variety has performed consistently top-performing in National Variety Trials, particularly in northern New South Wales and Queensland.”

Sunmaster, regarded a ‘go-to’ choice for main-season planting due to high yield and excellent disease resistance, holds a strong Australian Prime Hard classification in northern New South Wales and Queensland.

Sunmaster also features a robust disease package, including good resistance to stripe rust, leaf rust, and moderate resistance to crown rot.

“Sunmaster has become the variety of choice for growers when it comes to a main season planting option,” Mr Adams said.

Mr Adams suggests Granite CL for grain-growers considering barley this season.

“The rock-solid performer Granite CL is a Clearfield feed barley with excellent yield potential,” Mr Adams said.

“Granite CL is quick, mid-spring maturing variety, similar to Rosalind and Maximus CL, with a good disease resistance profile, as well as excellent resistance to Net Form Net Blotch and Cereal Cyst Nematode.

“This variety features erect growth habit and medium plant height, similar to Rosalind and Maximus CL, with strong lodging tolerance and low head loss risk.

“There are good grain quality attributes, particularly test weight, similar to Rosalind,” he said.

Mr Adams said Red Kahn chickpea, a new addition to the winter pulse list, is resilient and easy harvesting.

“Red Khan is a strong chickpea option for growers who value harvestability, seed size and solid yield potential,” Mr Adams said.

“It is well-suited to tough growing conditions and variable soil types, making it a practical fit for lower moisture seasons across central and southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

“With suitability for low to medium rainfall environments, plus early flowering, mid-maturity, large grain size and good harvestability, Red Khan brings both resilience and market appeal,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology says rainfall for the next three months for parts of eastern Australia is likely to be below average, with maximum temperatures from May to July likely to be above-average across most of Australia.

BoM’s long-range weather forecast for May-June-July can be viewed HERE.