Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior development extension officer, Anne Shepherd, says rainfall reports have varied, but most growers from Biloela to Springsure north to Clermont and Dysart have recorded 50mm to 70mm of soaking rain, with falls as high as 100mm.

Ms Shepherd said wheat marketers believe that Central Queensland's 160,000 hectare wheat crop, which had a pre-rain yield estimate of around 250,000 tonnes, would increase by at least 30pc.

"That 75,000t windfall - thanks to this most unusual widespread winter rainfall event - will put an additional $23 million in our regional growers' returns," Ms Shepherd said.

"When we add to this the much-improved yield prospects for Central Queensland's 50,000ha chickpea crop, this region could be harvesting 100,000t to go into a still buoyant sub-continent export market.

"At a current conservative market value of $500 a tonne, the 2008 regional chickpea crop averaging 2t/ha represents a $50 million return to growers."

Ms Shepherd said the May-planted wheat, which was now in the grain fill stage, would certainly benefit.

The late season wheat planted on welcome June rainfall was now assured of putting down secondary roots to tap into available subsoil moisture and deliver a viable grain crop.

"There is no doubt that prior to this July rain, there were wheat and chickpea crops particularly in areas north of Emerald that were at risk of failing," Ms Shepherd said.

"Yield prospects for the struggling later-planted wheat crops have gone from around 1.4t/ha to around 2t/ha or better."