Birchip rain puts Craig Rickard in healthy spot for sowing

More than 50mm of rain has put a Birchip grain grower in a good position for sowing in the next few weeks.

Well poised: Craig Rickard on his Curyo farm, near Birchip, which has received good falls in the past week. Picture: Zoe Phillips

CRAIG Rickard is in a strong position ahead of sowing his crops in coming weeks.

The grain grower, who farms at Curyo near Birchip along with Alistair Ferrier, received more than 50mm of rain in the past week and will sow cereal grains, canola, lentils and vetch on 5000ha this season.

“We have had an excellent start so far this year and it is above any recent average we have been getting,” Mr Rickard said.

“In total in Curyo we have had more than 150mm, and we think we have over 200mm in many parts of the property for the year.”

While sufficient rain had allowed Mr Rickard to start sowing for vetch, it had become too wet in recent days and work was now on hold until Thursday.

He said the sowing program would get into full swing after Easter.

Mr Rickard said significant rainfall in December 2018 boosted his subsoil moisture levels last season.

“This year the rain came after Christmas and was more spread out,” he said. “We are in a strong position now.”

Mr Rickard said falls had varied across the farm, with some parts gaining better totals than others.

He has had some difficulties obtaining herbicide and fertiliser supply ahead of the peak sowing period, as rain across the east coast increased demand as well as impacts from the coronavirus slowing the supply chain.

“It has been difficult getting herbicide and fertiliser supply,” Mr Rickard said.

“We have got some of what we ordered, but we are still waiting to get everything.

“Hopefully it all comes in time.”