Grain producers on the east coast of Australia are on high alert with severe flooding and more heavy rains causing significant interruption and damage to this year’s crop, and loss of critical value.
Grain Producers Australia Southern Director Andrew Weidemann said this year’s crop was on a knife’s edge and with more rain forecast the losses will only escalate.
Mr Weidemann said many growers were still unable to get out and inspect their paddocks, to assess the impact of serious flooding events in Victoria and NSW, due to the severe weather conditions, and warned about the risks of crop diseases increasing significantly and limiting yield potential.
However, he said there are disastrous impacts already, with many growers expecting significant loss of crop value and yields. He urged state and federal governments to continue working together with industry, to help provide immediate and longer-term support with recovery efforts, where needed.
NSW Farmers Grains Committee chair Justin Everitt said damage to local roads and infrastructure will present significant logistical challenges, with getting harvested grain from farm to delivery sites and into various market destinations, and the movement of farm machinery.
“We need to be proactive with thinking about how we can get on the front foot and find workable solutions to some of these complex challenges now,” he said.
“Given the significant productions costs growers are facing this year, it’s vitally important we work together to find ways of preserving the value of this crop, which is vital to our sustainability.”
Victorian Farmers’ Federation Grains Group President, Ash Fraser, said many growers are still waiting for the heavy rainfall to subside now, in order to assess whether their crops would be downgraded to feed quality, or deemed un-harvestable.
However, he said more rain is also expected which would interrupt the crop’s recovery and further set-back quality and reduce pricing opportunity.
“Our hearts go out to those growers who are managing their way through the worst of these conditions with crops still underwater and the communities and people experiencing emergency circumstances with evacuation orders in place,” he said.
“We acknowledge the efforts of governments and thank them for working with emergency services to help provide relief and support for people and communities in need.”
AgForce Grains President, Brendan Taylor, said the timing of this year’s winter harvest had also been delayed due to the ongoing rain and lack of warm weather, with the crop taking longer to mature.
But Mr Taylor said more rain was on the horizon which would cause ongoing disruption for the current harvest, and also impact the planting window for the summer crop.
“There’s a lot of investment on the table and financial risks with this year’s crop and quite understandably grain producers and our communities are extremely anxious about more rain coming and what it means,” he said.
