Gunnedah fat cattle sale to see reduced numbers after weekend rain

Farmers are expected to hold onto their cattle rather than sell them, and grain farmers will take advantage of the moist soil and try to sow porridge grains early.

On Monday the NVI spoke to local agronomists and stock agents to find out how the rain will impact the region.

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About 2000 head of cattle are expected to go under the hammer at Gunnedah's fat cattle sale on Tuesday, half the amount sold in February sales.

Jacob Anderson Stock Agents Boggabri's Guy Gallen said most graziers would likely hold onto their livestock after the deluge.

"I think they would've been on the brink [of selling], but [the rain] has given them confidence it will rain again," Mr Gallen said.

"I'm sure they'd be desperate to hang on and put some weight into their cattle and get ready to sell in spring."

"It doesn't rain feed, but it rains confidence."

But the agent said follow-up rain was essential.

"If we don't get follow-up rain of at least 40-60mm towards the middle of April, and if it was to dry up ... I think you'd see another sell off early May," Mr Gallen said.

Agronomist Matt Roseby said as soon as it dried up, farmers would look ahead to winter planting.

"We didn't get any winter crop last year so it'll be closer to getting it in this year," Mr Roseby said.

"It's welcome rain but it's not enough yet to get us planting some large portions of winter crops.

"Follow-up rain in two to three weeks would be perfect for the crops already planted. We would also be able to be doing some early fava beans and canola in early May."

Hunt Ag Solutions' Jim Hunt said the heavy rainfall was a start but was "still falling short of breaking the drought".

"We need a good season's worth of rain to break the drought; it's still very marginal on whether we can sow a winter crop at this stage,"  Mr Hunt said.

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