With only about a third of CQ's average annual grain sorghum crop planted this summer, due primarily to low soil moisture at optimum planting time, DEEDI principal technical officer Maurie Conway, Emerald, expected a big winter crop to be planted in CQ this season, with a large proportion of it in chickpeas, based on recent good rainfall and current low wheat prices on offer.

"The big thing about chickpeas is they can go down deep,'' he said.

"Assuming the rain stops soon, it will take two weeks to dry out, and then growers will be ready to plant anywhere from April 1 to mid-April, so it's superb chickpea planting conditions and potentially good wheat planting," Mr Conway said.

"You'd have to say that this last lot of rain, painful as it is for some, will provide at worst a deep plant for chickpeas and potentially be late enough for an early plant for wheat crop. This rain isn't money in the bank, but it's certainly allowing farmers to set up for planting."

DEEDI development extension officer Darren Aisthorpe, Biloela, said rainfall in the Callide-Dawson Valley would set growers up for a very promising winter crop, providing some follow-up rain arrived in early to mid-April.

He recommended that growers assessing winter crop options, particularly chickpea, should start securing quality CQ-grown seed, particularly Kyabra and Monty.

"Last season showed how well crops like chickpea can perform with a full profile of moisture and minimal rain," Mr Aisthorpe said.

Growers should also ensure all seed was treated with Thiram-based fungicide; germination and vigour was checked to ensure even establish-ment; and seed was not planted back into chickpea country for at least two years to minimise the chance of ascochyta.