THE drought in the Border district is rapidly coming to an end with an old-fashioned autumn break restoring confidence levels in the livestock and cropping sectors.
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Rainfall totals of more than 50 millimetres have been recorded in the previously parched southern Riverina and up into the high country in the last 24 hours with the prospect of more to come.
Rutherglen recorded 48.2mm, Albury had 23.4mm and Wangaratta picked up 30.6mm.
The agricultural bounce back has come against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic with saleyard operations under tight restrictions which include vendors being prevented from attending and winter crops being planted earlier than the traditional Anzac Day kick-off.
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Large scale cropping contractor, Beau Longmire, said between 50mm and 80mm had fallen in the Balldale area where he lived and came at a time when his operations were already underway.
"We are between 15 to 18 per cent through our program already," he said.
"Two things are different about this year and they are some decent rainfall about a month ago which provided a bit of confidence and the second of course is the pandemic.
"People are thinking there is going to be a delay in proceedings at some stage so we're trying to get in front of it if we can."
Livestock agent Peter Ruaro said confidence levels were restoring to beef producing areas hit hard by drought and summer bushfires.
"The drought has probably broken, but it won't be until dams are all full and there is actual feed in the paddocks," he said.
"Confidence levels are good in our game with the re-stocker competition enormous and fat cattle selling well.
"You can safely say we've also had the break we've been looking for."
March rainfall totals across the region all eclipsed figures from 12 months ago.
Yarrawonga had 67.4mm compared to just 5.4mm, Wangaratta had 85.4mm compared to 29.4mm, Albury had 129.8mm compared to 52mm, Corowa had 93.44mm compared to 16.1mm and Culcairn had 81mm compared to 65.2mm.