June rain provides mixed blessings

Much of Tasmania enjoyed healthy June rainfall, particularly in the northern half of the state, with Hydro dams sitting at their highest July levels since 2012.

Mount Read, Loongana, Boat Harbour, Barrington, Sheffield, Railton, Yolla, and Mount Arthur all recorded more than 200mm of rain in June.

Forcett pork producers, Heritage Farms Tasmania, were among those who welcomed the rain.

The closest weather station to their farm at Wattle Hill recorded 49mm of rain in June.

And while they did not receive as much rainfall as other parts of the state, Rebecca Byfield from Heritage Farms Tasmania said it was helpful.

“The grasses got a big boost, and the farm is looking green,” Ms Byfield said.

“It is a bit muddy, but we’re certainly not complaining.”

Ms Byfield said before the June rains it had been dry on the farm.

“We were sort of sitting there going ‘what’s happening here?’

“People are talking about El Niño, but we were worried we’d go through another drought.

“We’ve been very grateful for the rain and the sunshine that followed.”

But it was a different story for Hobbit Hort farm at Saltwater River on the Tasman Peninsula.

The farm’s Joe Hartley said they did not receive much rain and that the water in their dam is only knee-deep.

“That water won’t even last through spring, let alone summer,” Mr Hartley said.

“On past experience, I don’t think creeks will start running, and unless we get another four to six inches of rain we’ll have to start putting water in our dam.

“Most of the peninsula has had good rain, but Saltwater River is a dry spot.”

Marek Matuszek from Ag Logic said that soil moisture levels are at a full point in the northern half of Tasmania.

“Anywhere south of Campbell Town, moisture levels are maybe halfway,” Mr Matuszek said.

“But those soils have a long way to go because a lot of those soils are cracking.”

Mr Matuszek said many parts of the state had not had a wet winter for a while.

Hydro Tasmania dam energy storage levels are sitting at 42 per cent.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Rachel Watson said the result reflected careful and disciplined water management.

“Achieving this has required very careful management of Tasmania’s water resources, balancing the needs of electricity generation with the many other important ways water is used across the state,” Ms Watson said.

“Our storages are a strategic asset for Tasmania, especially as the value of long-duration storages and flexible energy capacity continues to rise.”