Opening Rain
The sweetest sound on a farmer’s roof is that of an opening rain.
Around here, May is the best time of the year for sowing our crop and farmers tend to be on the lookout for rain anytime from mid-April onwards. Once we get to the beginning of May, they can get a little “antsy”, concerned that a later “opening break” can reduce the crops potential yield.
So, what is an opening rain? It’s where we get what we call a “break in the season”. Enough rain to start putting in a crop. For us this is anywhere between 1 and 2 inches. On 1 inch, they’ll start if timing is getting desperate. On 2 inches, they have smiles on their faces so big their faces almost fall off.
I’ve been pondering on the significance of an “opening rain” and how that can be applied in our own lives.
The opening rain brings with it so much transformation.
The earth turns from a dry, dusty, lifeless sod to a rich brown filled with all the potential of new growth.
The air has a certain “sweet” smell about it. A smell that brings with it a reminder of life and hope.
Within days (sometimes it seems like hours) tiny little green shoots pop up all over the place. A brilliant display of life in all it’s abundance.
You may be aware that farming has been going through tough times in recent years. A combination of weather patterns and decreased profit margins (caused by many factors) have left many a farmer struggling and wondering whether it’s all worthwhile. Every year many thousands (and in some cases millions) of dollars get invested in a crop. All risked on the hope that rains will fall at the right time, producing a crop which returns the original investment as well as a tidy profit.
In our area, it has been at least 6 years since many farmers have made a profit. Some years we’ve seen big losses and other years we’ve made small losses or barely broken even.
And yet, every year, without fail, that opening rain brings with it hope. A promise of a future. A chance for a fresh start.
Gone are the morbid thoughts of a failed crop the year before (and perhaps the year before that).
Instead, everyone looks forward, to the hope and promise that the future crop has to bring.
Kind of a good way to view life really isn’t it?
I’m sure we could all do with a little “opening rain” in our lives. 
I will say one thing that I miss about living in Australia… at least in Toronto, NSW where I lived… is the four seasons and the rainy days/nights… here in Florida, USA you get the tropical weather - like in the Top End… the down pours and steaming heat afterwards… I miss having a winter with the rain… just the story you wrote made me wish for rain… (though no hurricanes with it)… take care
Great article, Lightening
I am on tank water.
I now say YAY when it rains.
Felicity - we do have some wonderful weather here. When I lived in Melbourne we used to get 4 seasons in the one day. Things are a little more “stable” here in South Australia. When it’s hot, it’s stinking hot and when it’s cold, it’s freezing. Rain anytime now would be really good though!!!!
Jayne - thank you.
Widdle Shamrock - there’s nothing like being on tank water to make you appreciate water is there? We’re almost out for the house. Fingers crossed there’ll be some more rain soon.
I love the symbolism of the opening rain and hope. I see it in my home town of Mildura when this happens. Here’s to hoping that this really is the fresh start so many farmers need.
NB. My site will be undergoing maintenance until approx midday Wednesday (Australian time).
Lovely post Lightening. Being a city dweller (well outer city, almost semi rural), I really feel for our farmers and what they have been through. Of course, they will continue to go through being at the mercy of the elements, because that’s what farming is.
I’d love some opening rain - could you arrange s bit for me
be encouraged and perservere with all faith…. this is the dawning of the age of the one who is called “the water bearer” and the hope that the new spring rain brings that is a gift from Holanoussis at least that is the name by which I affectionately call Him but do not let the knowledge of that and its awe-inspiring poetry and glory distract you from your businesses’
needs when hope, faith and love fill your heart just say thank you
who is He?
who is He?
damned if I know
thank you for your post lightening…
Just like you I am hanging out for an opening rain. It does bring new hope doesn’t it. People just get more positive, momentarily anyway!
Great article - I was talking to my FIL about rain at the right time … when we were away two weeks ago. He only has a new small (1100acres) farm and was talking about making putting some crops back in. The rain gauge is so important.
City dwellers never consider this when we whinge about the rain canceling our social activities.
Hope the opening rain is a fresh start for your area and for you personally. I also like the comparison you have drawn …fresh rain and a fresh hope.
Planning Queen - Mildura have been HARD HIT by the water crisis. We have extended family there who have gone bankrupt.
Hope everything is okay with your site.
Suze - If only I could, I’m sure I”d be a rich woman!!! Or at least well loved!!!!
Yes, farming is very much a game of being at the mercy of the elements. My DH has a lovely attitude though. Instead of stressing about such things, he just focuses on what he CAN have control over (like understanding the best inputs to use, learning new methods and so on).
Trish - It’s a common first question around here - how much rain did you have? I’m really BAD at finding out so most of the time I don’t have an answer for people. The rain gauge is DH’s domain - there are SPIDERS in there!!!! (well, not all the time but enough to make me stay well away!!!!)
I fully agree. I’m originally from country Victoria, a little town about 1 1/4 hours north-east of Horsham and my parents and brother’s family farm about 3000 acres. In the last 11 years I think they have had maybe three years which were more than recouping costs and getting seed for the following year, maybe providing a neighbor with seed. My Dad always says ‘It’ll rain one day,’ and ‘It always rains at the end of a drought’. One day my sister-in-law (whose dream was to marry a farmer and have lots of kids, unfortunately they have been in drought since they married 9 years ago) asked him why he always said ‘It’ll rain one day’. His response - if he didn’t have that hope, he’d just walk of the land. And there is not a lot of hope in the farming communities at the moment with the water situation. Sometimes I think our state leaders believe the state finishes at the outlying suburbs of the capital cities. I continually pray that God will bring rain to the country areas, and not just physical rain but spiritual rain.
I love that smell the earth gets after a good soaking drizzle opens things up. When followed by a 3-4 day steady rain everything looks greener, smells fresher, flowers hold their heads higher, it’s just wonderful. Wouldn’t it be great to have a “perfect” world with warm sunny days and cool rainy nights all year round? And no droughts ever again.
Roger - that all sounds rather hopeful.
Michelle - my DH is pretty much the same. He says “oh, it’ll rain. There’s nothing surer. No idea what month or year but it will rain”.
River - absolutely!!! One of the things I noticed when we moved to SA was how much the rain fell at night. We don’t have a LOT of wet, drizzly days here without seeing at least a few hours of sun. It does happen but not as much as Victoria. I could put up with the grey drizzly days right now though. For a few days at least.