Elizabeth Lobsey, Agronomist at Meteora Agronomic Consulting (Dalby, Qld), reports a slow start to the 2026 season for the Darling Downs, with cold conditions and delayed rainfall pushing back planting while growers focused on ground preparation and finishing cotton. Recent rain has improved soil moisture and allowed planting of wheat, barley and some chickpeas, though establishment may be uneven due to mixed conditions. Disease pressure remains low, with crown rot a potential risk in cereal rotations, while yield potential will depend on follow-up rainfall despite a strong moisture profile and warmer overnight temperatures supporting crop growth.
