Then the clouds brewed and poured 150ml onto the Jenkins’ property, Severnvale, Charters Towers.

It may come as no surprise when you consider 2009 saw 1168ml fall on Severnvale- but all that rain fell between January and April.

“We can sometimes fluke October rain but can miss December rain and go to February with none,” Mrs Jenkins said.

On Christmas Day, the Jenkins were further reassured of a good start to the wet season when another 89mL fell on their property.

“It was a lovely Christmas present,” Mrs Jenkins said.

Then the beef producers had to wait anxiously to see the grass respond.

It took a week but is now a sea of green grass as far as the eye can see.

Despite the vast amount of feed on the property, Mrs Jenkins said the rainfall has been patchy.

“My mother north of Charters Towers has not received much rain at all,” Mrs Jenkins said.

The rain has also brought a sigh of relief for the Jenkins’ bull breeding operation.

“We wean and turn bulls in while they are still young,” Mrs Jenkins said.

“Once we get a wet season on the bulls we sell.”