FARMERS have welcomed a near perfect start to sowing as they capitalise on favourable weather conditions which has seen more than 110mm of rain fall within Kerang in the past two months.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Kerang recorded 73.6mm of rainfall in April, off the back of 40.4mm in March.
Kerang agronomist Simon Schlitz of Nutrien Ag Solutions said it was one of the best starts to sowing in the past two decades.
“It’s right up there,” he said.
“It’s a great start to the sowing program with a very good soil moisture profile, and this always helps with grower confidence.”
Compared to recent years where growers have sown dry in anticipation of rain, this season good autumn rainfall has brought opportunities for early weed control and good crop establishment.
Mr Schlitz said there was good confidence in canola due to the subsoil moisture, with farmers sowing wheat, barley, oats, lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas and vetch as part of their cropping programs.
While the weather and the prospect of good commodity prices has resulted in improved farmer confidence throughout the region, higher input prices and product shortages have proved challenging.
Quambatook farmer and chair of GrainGrowers Brett Hosking said while overall farmers were optimistic about this season’s prospects, with good prices and encouraging planting conditions, farmers have expressed concerns surrounding input prices and global uncertainty.
“Price and availability of inputs for farmers is a huge challenge,” Mr Hosking said, noting fertilisers, chemicals, fuel, machinery, parts and labour had been impacted.
“With changing global uncertainty GrainGrowers is working with Federal Government to invest in domestic manufacturing of inputs ranging from chemicals, low-emission fertilisers, parts and machinery and even improving Australia’s minimum fuel reserves to secure our nation’s long-term future and independence,” Mr Hosking said.
“We are also working closely to ensure visa and entry requirements will allow skilled farm and supply chain labour to enter and work in Australia at peak seasonal times such as harvest.”
Mr Hosking said some farmers had adapted their cropping plans to adjust to supply constraints.
“We are aware that the current high input prices, particularly around nitrogen based fertiliser, will limit a grower’s ability to take full advantage of potential yield gains as cost and risk outweighs yield benefits from applications.”
