Rain too late to help

Crops have deteriorated, yields are low and of uncertain quality and remain threatened by the elements in what has been a challenging season for farmers who are in desperate need of rain.

Local agronomist, Michael White, attended the NSW Grain Trade Association annual conference in Sydney recently where it was revealed one third of the state’s grain area is in good shape, while one third is on the verge of being written off without further rain, and the remaining fraction has already been written off.

He said while the 8.8mm of rain in the local area on September 14 was enough to liven up feed, farmers around Wellington need further rain, urgently.

“Crops have deteriorated further and rain of last week will save it for short term but certainly at this stage for those crops that do make it we expect the yields to be well back and of uncertain quality, depending on frost damage which has taken a fair toll on crops in NSW,” he said.

“We had 5-10mm in Wednesday’s shower which for the local area has certainly livened-up the feed and will give us another two to three weeks grace with the crops.

“This weather’s out of wack, it’s crazy.

“The plants don't know what to do – they’re as confused as we are.”

Mr White said due to Wellington’s mixed farming area most people have livestock off-sitting their bad crops, of which they have been supplementary feeding for the last two months.

The dry weather will bring with it a domino effect which will see livestock numbers reduce as farmers de-stock, as well as less work for contract harvesters and transporters.

“There were 40,000 head of cattle at Dubbo recently, and this harvest will be driven by domestic markets rather than export markets,” Mr White said.

While Mr White believes any rain now will be too late for record crops, he said it will aid and assist yields.

To date Wellington has recorded 8.8mm of rain for September, 31.5 in August, 3.2 in July and 6mm for June.