With forecasts of an excellent spring to follow the soaking winter rainfall, farmers are confident ahead of this year’s harvest although there is still lots of work to do.
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Heavy rainfall during the winter, which has seen some properties in the area already having recorded their annual average rainfall with the best part of four months remaining, has left local farmers hoping the forecast run of sunny weather comes sooner rather than later.
The wet weather, including 26 rainy days in June and 23 in July, has left farmers unable to get on their paddocks to complete a number of important tasks.
Former agronomist Paul Parker believes farmers will be under the pump when the sunny weather does arrive.
“All the farmers could do with a run of warm weather for the next couple of weeks,” Mr Parker said.
“The wet weather and the sogginess of the ground has seen farmers unable to get onto their crops and spray the weeds.
They have also been unable to top-dress their crops with fertiliser.
“This has seen some grain crops looking yellow due to a nitrogen deficiency.
“it is the wettest winter I have seen in the area.
“We had half the annual rainfall just in the three winter months.
“The rain last weekend saw us go over the average annual rainfall and there is still a long time to go this year.
“A run of dry weather will allow farmers to carry out these tasks although it will be all the more difficult.
“Some of the crops are starting to canopy already which means farmers will be forced to use more chemicals which will cost more money.
“Hopefully a period of dry weather will allow farmers to spray weeds and also fertilise their crops.
“The fertiliser will not only boost crop size, but increase yield and quality as well.
“If everything goes to plan, that will cover the increase in costs with having to use more chemicals on the weeds,” he said.
Mr Parker said local farmers are confident that if the weather mirrors the forecast, which predicts only four more days with a high chance of rain for September, the crops could be very good.
“Most of the crops are looking good around the area,” Mr Parker added.
“This area has a very granite-based soil which stops crops from becoming water logged.
“Hopefully the farmers get good quality yields with everything in place for that to happen.”
