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COME RAIN , COME SHINE
A season which emphasised the potential effect of an EL Niño episode
Actual rainfall for April 2016
THYS GROBBELAAR SENIOR GRAIN ANALYST , SENWES GRAINLINK
RAINFALL FOR THE SEASON For a change the central and south-western parts of the traditional Senwes area received more rain than the north-eastern parts . In most cases the rain was too late to save the maize crop . Maize in the late physiological stage of development and late sunflower derived benefit from the good rainfall in April . Historically the western parts of the summer rainfall area bear the brunt of the drought , more so than the eastern parts , which was the case once again this season .
The map below reflects the cumulative rainfall for the season from 1 July 2016 to 30 April 2016 . The Bultfontein / Theunissen areas really suffered this season . To date this area has received less than 50 % of the long-term average rainfall . This follows after a very dry previous season . The far south-western parts of the traditional Senwes area , namely the Petrusburg area , had quite a bit of rain during the past season , particularly during autumn . It rained so much in this area during autumn
Cumulative rainfall for the period 1 July 2015 to 30 April 2016 as % of the long-term cumulative rainfall for the concurring period .
that some producers are considering the planting of winter wheat under dry land conditions .
The north-eastern part of the traditional Senwes area also received more rain than the long- term average . Certain producers will harvest average crops and better this season . Such areas include the adjoining Mpumalanga province , where average crops will be harvested .
40 JUN / JUL 2016 • SENWES Scenario