BUMPER livestock prices and a forecast for below average rainfall during the next three months are not affecting cropping intentions, with a few of the State's farmers already getting a very early start.
The Bureau of Meteorology's latest quarter rainfall outlook from April to June is indicating that a drier than normal three months is likely for South Australia, Victoria and south west New South Wales.
The chance of above median falls is below 40 per cent over a band extending from north west SA and Victoria.
The probability drops to below 30pc in central SA.
This means that below median falls are a 60-75pc chance of occurring across the region.
Despite this outlook, some early cereals have already been sown on western Eyre Peninsula, following good rains in March - largely for early feed for stock.
Very limited dry sowing has also started in the Upper North, with more expected to follow in coming weeks.
And Primary Industries and Resources SA's crop and pasture report is indicating no significant changes to the cropping area in SA for the coming season.
Yorke Peninsula agronomist Bill Long says many growers are planning to sow in the first week of May, with or without rain.
"We really haven't had any rain of significance, but I think a lot of growers are probably planning to sow on a certain date regardless," he said.
"People want to get the crops in as fast as they can. Anzac Day is the trigger date for a lot of people."
Mr Long said there was growing interest in livestock, with the high prices being offered.
"Guys who are set up for cropping and nothing else are sticking with that," he said.
"But certainly there are guys who recognise livestock numbers are at their lowest since 1914 and are looking at livestock with a bit more interest.
"There is certainly more interest from farmers about how they might improve their management of livestock in drier conditions."
Far West farmer Peter Stott, Fowlers Bay, said while some farmers in his area had got a head start on their cropping program he would not look to start seeding until after Anzac Day.
"Luckily we received 100 millimetres for March, so at least we've got some soil moisture in the ground," he said.
Telowie farmer Ian Mudge, who was the first farmer in the State to deliver to the storage and handling system last season, said he was not likely to look at seeding for another two weeks.
"I won't do a lot of dry sowing," he said. "We had some pretty severe thunderstorms three weeks ago, so the paddocks are starting to green up.
"I might look at sowing some legumes at the end of the month."
Farmers waiting on more significant rainfall may have to wait a bit longer because there is unlikely to be any significant rainfall in the next couple of weeks, according to Weatherzone forecaster Matt Pearce.
"There's really not a great deal on the horizon, the far South East corner of the State might get 5 millimetres to 10mm this week, but it really decreases the further north you get," he said.
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