AS HARVEST fast approaches, Mallee farmers are becoming increasingly worried as the wet weather starts to impact crops and prevent access into waterlogged paddocks.
Mallee broadacre farmer Peter Mullan said one of the biggest challenges moving forward will be the impact of the rain on this year’s harvest.
“The logistics of a wet harvest can become very difficult,” he said.
“Hopefully it’s not too wet and we will be able to get a crop off.”
His property between Lalbert and Culgoa had received close to 200mm of rain since September.
“At the start of September we were desperately looking for rain and it hasn’t stopped since,” he said.
Taking the wet weather in his stride, Mr Mullan said that was the nature of farming.
His property backs onto the Lalbert Creek which is fed off the Avoca River.
“There’s plenty of water there and more to come,” Mr Mullan said, noting he had started taking precautionary measures with sandbagging as the creek continued to rise.
“The crops are pretty wet in places, with patches of waterlogging.
“We’re pretty flat where we are but it doesn’t matter where you are, there’s always different challenges.
Mr Mullan said while most of his crops were robust, his lentils were “drowning” having softened due to the heavy rain.
And he still hadn’t ruled out baling hay – if there’s a break in the weather – but as with all decisions at the moment, it’s all dependent on the weather.
“Trying to bale hay over harvest presents its own challenges,” Mr Mullan said.
“Baled hay is fairly valuable at the moment. We’re still four weeks away from harvest but that’s all dependent on the weather.”
Mr Mullan said the extent of the damage wouldn’t be known until the water subsided and even then the floods would continue to impact the industry, with freight, logistics and spikes in the grain market some of the challenges farmers would face in the near future.
These concerns were echoed by Quambatook farmer and GrainGrowers chair Brett Hosking.
“Presently, we don’t know what the damage will be,” Mr Hosking said, adding there were lots of variables to take into consideration.
“Infrastructure, particularly local roads, are a concern. Major supply routes are cut in half in many places and damaged roads in regional areas are a significant safety risk for communities.”
Mr Hosking said pests, disease and mental health were also issues of concern.
“The uncertainty and not knowing what to expect is difficult for growers and their families and we ask them to reach out if needed.”
