Any more rain could waterlog Skipton grower’s crops

It will only take a small amount of wet weather to top up soil moisture levels in a Skipton grain grower’s crops. But other growers in parts of Victoria are still holding out for rain.

Damp underfoot: Skipton grain grower Anthony Mulcahy with son Patrick. Picture: Zoe Phillips.

RAIN has been abundant for Western District grain grower Anthony Mulcahy this season, but any more wet weather could put crops at risk.

Mr Mulcahy, from Skipton, said it would only take a small amount of water for soil moisture levels to “top up”, which could then result in water logging.

“There is plenty of moisture under the ground which is a concern for planting with so much water, and is risky if we have a wet winter,” he said.

The grower is also pre-baiting for both slugs and mice at his property following high moisture levels, and big yields last year.

“We just finished an excellent season, so we had grain loss at harvest which encouraged mice, and high moisture in the ground has encouraged slugs,” he said.

“We are pre-baiting (mice), especially the area to canola. They are in high numbers, but not plague levels yet though.”

Grain grower Anthony Mulcahy showing the result of mice baiting on his property. Picture: Zoe Phillips.

Mr Mulcahy will begin sowing late this week, starting with canola and winter wheat. And hopes are pinned on a few mild next few weeks.

“We got about 50mm two weeks ago, we have had some nice weather now and it is still looking good with no major falls forecast,” he said.

Gorst Rural agronomist Marcus Smith said a lot of growers around the area were thinking of sowing now following the good rain.

“Some guys put in some pasture and clover germination is happening earlier than usual,” Mr Smith said.

“Late last week we got about 10mm and during the growing season growers in the area have had about 190mm, with a wet January, dry February and average March. It is about on par with last season’s start.”

MIXED BAG FOR GRAIN RAIN

Meanwhile it is a case of the haves and have-nots in terms of rainfall kicking off the season for grain growers across Victoria.

While parts of the Wimmera and North East Victoria have had decent downpours, crops north of the Great Dividing Range are looking for rain ahead of sowing.

“There are still some areas like west Wimmera, southern Mallee and north Mallee that have not had big summer rainfall,” Grain Producers Australia chairman and Rupanyup grower Andrew Weidemann said. “They are actually quite dry.”

Grain-growing areas around Hamilton were also holding out for more rain, he said.

“Growers are still all optimistic that it will be a good year because they have come off 24 months of it being really good,” Mr Weidemann said.

“Those areas that have had summer rainfall will probably need a good 20mm to 25mm, but those that haven’t will want anywhere from 20mm to 50mm to give them a confident start.”

He said some growers had begun planting stock feed and canola about a week ago.

BR & C Agents Swan Hill agronomist Lachlan Sheridan said growers in the area had been “pretty unlucky” and were hoping to see rain in the next few weeks.

“About a month ago, we got 8mm to 10mm of rain, but other than that haven’t had a great break,” Mr Sheridan said.

He said growers would be dry-sowing vetch at the end of this week, then move on to lupins, followed by lentils after Anzac Day.

“We would love another 25mm to 40mm to start the season off,” Mr Sheridan said.

“Last season we had a nice early break so it is quite the opposite this year. We are just waiting for that rain now.”

And in terms of mice being an issue at sowing, Mr Weidemann said there were a few hot spots “here and there”, but generally was not as bad as this time last year.

“After long series of droughts, mother nature has some curious habits of these pests arriving,” he said.

“Where there is head loss with wind at harvest last season, there will potentially be problems.”

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