Tim’s unbeard-able wait finally over

Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

A well-known Riverland West farmer’s face is looking different – and much more optimistic – following the weekend’s heavy rainfall across the region.

Lowbank-based farmer Tim Paschke was earlier this week able to cut his beard, which he committed to growing until his property received at least a 25mm rainfall event.

Mr Paschke – who recorded 44mm in his gauge over the weekend – said ongoing drought conditions had added emotional and economic pressure to local farmers.

“For a lot of farmers in the region, it’s a bit of a time to be thankful, because it has been a really tough couple of years,” Mr Paschke said.

“To see that it actually can rain again is a wonderful feeling.

“It replenishes some of the soil deficiency and it also gives us some hope for the season to come.

“Hope is a big thing in anybody’s lives, and rain is what brings it to us.”

The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 63.8mm of rain in Renmark during the weekend, and 82mm in Loxton.

Mr Paschke said his beard had become an endearing symbol of optimism through the community during drought conditions.

“Getting food stuck in it was more the battle,” he said.

“It was a fair topic of discussion whenever I met someone new, but I think it gave people an understanding that we were doing it pretty tough up here.

“I started growing it because I wanted people to stop asking me if it had rained… and we started having a bit of fun with it.”

Mr Paschke said the weekend’s rainfall had provided a “reset” in soil conditions before the next sowing period.

“Some received more rain than the (entire) growing season for 2024, so you look at that and think it’s amazing,” he said.

“It brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, and gives us some hope going forward. There is talk about having a quite dry autumn, winter and spring scenario.

“We planted some sheep feed (yesterday), and we’ve already got barley germinating from last harvest. I’ve got some seeds in a paddock from 2022, and they only just germinated off the rain from last week.

“That shows you the ground hasn’t been wet enough, for long enough, for years, and that blew my mind.”

Mr Paschke said moisture levels in the ground would now be able to sustain through this season’s sowing.

“Last year we dry-seeded 90 per cent of our crop, and we had negative-30ml available water,” he said.

“You might germinate the crop, but it can’t access the water, so it’s behind the eight ball.

“So here we had the 25mm to reset, and we’ve had another lot on top to soak. Now to have a reasonable break, you probably only need 10mm to 15mm in April.

“It’s not November, it’s March, and it’s going to be 30C all week… so it’s a real opportunity going forward.”

Meanwhile, Loxton Waikerie council yesterday advised a section of Heinrich Road, between the Sturt Highway and Gogel Road intersections, was closed to the public due to damage sustained during the weekend’s significant rainfall.

“Council staff are working to restore the road to a safe and trafficable condition and will reopen the section as soon as possible,” read a post on the Loxton Waikerie council Facebook page.

“If you are a resident in this location, please be assured that you will still be able to access your property.”

It is also understood rainfall damage was also sustained at the Moorook and District Club, while the Lions Club of Renmark was forced to postpone last weekend’s bazaar fundraiser.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 4 March 2026.