Crops sown early might be on track for above-average yields with “timely follow-up rain”, she said.

The agronomist’s monthly report for August 2008 confirms that “long-awaited” rain on August 30 and 31 is giving farming communities new hope that their crops might make it through to harvest.

The agronomist said before the rain, “a sense of increasing despair” was evident with some scattered falls recorded but “most people missing out”.

“Cooler than average temperatures during the month meant crop water used was low, but even then an increasing number of crops were showing signs of moisture stress,” Ms Hertel said.

“Their prospects were looking increasingly bleak with scenarios of baling crops or grazing them off beginning to enter the picture once again.

“A few crops were on the verge of being abandoned.

“This rainfall has now given hope and the decision has been made to continue on with these crops for the time being.”

However, follow-up rain during September was essential for “these crops to fill reasonable grain”.

“Some people only received little more than 10mm which is only a temporary relief and follow-up sooner rather than later is needed,” Ms Hertel, who is concerned about a forecast of above-average temperatures, said.

The weekend’s rain is the first time since summer that “everyone across the area received rain at the same time”, she said in the report.

“While falls were varied, generally most people received useful rain or better,” she said.

“The rain has even generated some run-off, the first time in six months for some.

“There’s still a way to go, but conditions are definitely the most promising they’ve been all year.”

All four divisions of the Dubbo Rural lands Protection Board remained officially drought declared in August.

Rainfall recordings at the weekend ranged from Dunedoo 95mm, Gilgandra 57mm and Elong Elong 60mm to Wongarbon 34mm, Trundle 25mm, Wellington 27mm, Parkes 22.5mm and Trangie 19mm.

Dubbo received 18mm on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

kim.bartley@ruralpress.com