It is believed the recent cold snap has helped many crops that had been growing too rapidly with the unseasonably mild conditions.

Terry Hie Hie farmers Rob and Dave Anderson, however, said they rarely had significant problems with frost damage in recent years.

Their property “Maneroo” is located about 40 kilometres south-east of Moree and they believe more than just their location has played a part in their crops’ success.

They have a specific window they have found to be the right time to start planting.

“Over the years we’ve had little losses due to frost because we plant in the window towards the tail-end,” Rob said. “Because we’re a little bit higher and a bit further east it’s generally a bit colder out here.”

So they’ve needed to be careful.

“We prefer to take the risk of sowing in the dry conditions at the other end of the window than to put all our money out front and run the risk of losing it all,” he added.

Of greater concern is the continued lack of significant rainfall.

The Andersons started planting in the third week of May, but said the current situation with their crop was about the same as last year.

“We had moisture to plant earlier, but because of the frost risk we waited a bit longer. At the moment everything is in ideal condition, but it’s a long way to the other end.”