Daytime temperature records were also broken with the state experiencing two of the hottest September days on record.
Spring started where the dry winter ended, with below average rainfall across 92 per cent of the state making for the driest September on record in NSW.
The July to September period was the second driest on record, with rainfall across the state as a whole 65 per cent below average.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Seasonal Conditions Coordinator
Ian McGowen said most of the state received less than 10 mm of rainfall during September.
“The locations that received the most rainfall included the alpine areas, southern tablelands, the south of the central tablelands and areas of the northern slopes, lower Hunter Valley, Monaro and the far south east,” Mr McGowen said.
“Daytime temperature records were also broken with the state experiencing two of the hottest September days on record.
“Pasture growth remained low to moderate in some areas of the south and south east, but declined across most of the state as a result of the continued warmer than normal daytime temperatures combined with a lack of soil moisture, frosts and grazing pressure.
“In most areas winter crop yields were seriously affected by the combination of extremely dry conditions, frequent severe frosts and the extreme daytime temperatures during September.
“Where severely affected crops had sufficient biomass, they were cut for hay or silage. In many cases crops were grazed out to compensate for poor pasture production or to reduce the need for hand feeding livestock.”
Mr McGowen said the rainfall received in early October was very welcome, but unfortunately came too late for most crops, with potential yields already severely affected.
“However, the rain will benefit later maturing crops in areas of the south west slopes, the south east of the Murray Valley and the eastern Riverina and will allow for improved yields in surviving crops in other areas,” Mr McGowen said.
“Harvest has commenced in the north west for canola and barley crops.
“The prospects for dryland summer cropping across much of the north west have improved due to the 25-100 mm of rainfall received in early October, with some areas receiving heavier falls. However, more rainfall is still needed to replenish depleted subsoil moisture reserves.