Kangaroo Island fodder squeeze, dry spell a ‘perfect storm’ for stressed farmers

As if the unseasonable weather wasn’t already a problem, one region is warning time is running out to solve a “perfect storm”.

As farmers across the state look skyward for desperately-needed season-breaking rain, producers on Kangaroo Island are facing an extra challenge – getting fodder across to the island to feed hungry livestock.

KI mayor Michael Pengilly said anxious farmers were unable to get the grain and hay they needed due to the one Sealink ferry capable of transporting hay being out of action for maintenance.

“We haven’t yet had a break to the season so paddock feed is pretty much non-existent … it is cold, ewes are heavy in lambing … it is really tough,” Mr Pengilly said.

“It is a period of high anxiety for our farmers.”

Mr Pengilly is calling for “government and other key stakeholders to find an urgent solution”, ahead of the ferry’s planned return to the water in June, including a “lifeline” hay-carrying barge.

Peter Glover, who farms on the Lower Eyre Peninsula has sown most of this year’s cropping program dry with just lentils to plant. Picture: Jack Davies

Rick Morris, a farmer at Karatta on Kangaroo Island, needs to source grain and fodder to feed his pregnant ewes, due to a lack of green feed. Picture: Supplied

Farmer Rick Morris, who runs 5000 ewes at Karatta on the island’s south coast, has just two weeks of grain left in storage and would welcome any initiative to ease pressure amid unseasonable conditions.

”We’ve fully utilised local stocks of grain and hay, even straw; there is no feed in the paddocks and it is very stressful,” he said.

“I have been in the system trying to get a few loads of grain for three weeks … there is a real bottleneck. I am just waiting in line like everyone else.”

Transport Department chief Jon Whelan said his department was working closely with Primary Industries as well as AgKI – KI’s peak primary production body – on solutions.

“It is unfortunate that it has been the perfect storm with no rain – and the need to have feed – at the same time (this) ferry is offline,” he said.

“We are fully aware of the issues and working with Sealink to ensure additional services are put on when the Spirit of KI is back on June 1 … we’ve seen a schedule and are relatively confident we are going to be able to service the needs of farmers.”

Elsewhere across the state it is estimated more than 60 per cent of South Australian grain growers have opted to dry sow, ahead of the season’s break.

“Growers need a saturating rain to get germination underway in most cropping regions … in the past decade, there’s been instances in SA of quite late breaking rains into June so grain producers are optimistic about that much-needed moisture coming soon,” Grain Producers SA (GPSA) CEO Brad Perry said

Peter Glover who crops 9000 hectares at Yeelanna on the Lower Eyre Peninsula said 7500 hectares has so far been planted, with “just lentils to go”, beginning seeding dry on April 15.

“A good season is still possible for the state but less likely every day it stays dry,” he said.

“A lot of things will have to go right from here for that to happen … farmers are pessimistic optimists, always hoping for the best but fearing the worst,” he said.