Widespread frost damage to SA’s crops likely to have wiped out hundreds of tonnes
GRAIN growers fear frost – dubbed a “silent killer” – could wipe out mass cereal crops as South Australia’s agricultural regions experience their driest September on record.
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GRAIN growers fear frost – dubbed a “silent killer” – could wipe out mass cereal crops as South Australia’s agricultural regions experience their driest September on record.
The Mid North, Mallee and northern Yorke Peninsula areas were among the worst affected, with frost damage likely to wipe out hundreds of tonnes of grain from this year’s harvest.
The frost was exacerbated by dry conditions throughout September.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also forecast a dry October and November, providing little relief to 15 per cent of the state which is considered in drought.
Grain Producers SA chairman Wade Dabinett said it was the first time in years “frost had reared its ugly head” at such a difficult time.
“When you drive around the country side and see greenery, it might look sensational but we could have frosts that wipe off as much value as the drought does,” he said.
“It’s a silent killer and it might not be until the header hits the paddock that you realise the extent of the damage.”
It can take up to two weeks to detect all frost damage and if the grain is spoiled crops can be cut for hay, which Mr Dabinett said would be the saving grace for some growers.
He said hay prices ranged from $200 to $400 a tonne, depending on the type and destination, given most was headed to the eastern states to feed livestock.
“You may get frosted and the hay market isn’t there, but this year fortunately those that have bulk that have been frosted can salvage something,” Mr Dabinett said.
“But that’s not good for the people who don’t have the biomass.
“This is why we need the State Government to invest in research and development to get through the next drought or frost episode.”
The state’s grain season update, released last month, showed a revised harvest estimate of 5.8 million tonnes, well below the 10-year average of 7.9 million tonnes. The fall in grain availability and high prices was also affecting livestock producers who were being priced out of the market and increasingly using sheep pellets to feed animals.
Bureau senior climatologist Darren Ray said unfortunately the weather outlook was grim for state’s farmers – some of which were battling the worst conditions in 40 years.
“There’s bits and pieces of rain over the next 10 days or so, but there’s very little in it,” he said. “One of the things that is helpful is while temperatures are warmer than average, they’re not going to be exceptionally hot.”
The persistent dry conditions prompted a visit last month by the national drought co-ordinator, Major General Stephen Day, who met with industry representatives, drought-affected councils and the State Government.
Mr Day pledged to return and was called on to extend some of the Federal Government’s $75 million of drought-relief funding to SA councils.
He said the government had to make some “tough decisions”.
“But those problems we can solve, we will,” he said.
