More spring rain needed for Wimmera grain grower

Spring rainfall has been sporadic for a Wimmera grower, however crops are still showing “a lot of potential”. Here’s how they are tracking.

Anxious wait: Wayne Adler in his lentil crop at Coromby, in the Wimmera, where there are still hopes of good yields if rain spring rain arrives. Picture: ZOE PHILLIP

RAIN  has been scarce for Wimmera grain grower Wayne Adler after a perfect start at sowing.

Mr Adler, who grows wheat, barley, lentils, faba beans and canola at Coromby, said rain was “on the lean side” during the months following sowing, with rainfall low in July and just a few drops falling on crops in August.

“Sowing was perfect and we had great moisture and perfect conditions,” he said.

“But after sowing, rain was on the lean side.”

In July, Mr Adler received 10mm of rain, while also experiencing a run of frosts.

“Barley is a bit stunted because of that and is a bit behind,” he said.

And hopes of 20mm of rainfall on Saturday were dashed, with crops receiving 3.5mm that night and 4mm on Sunday.

However, he said crops were still tracking well with “a lot of potential”.

“We are hanging on to every front that comes across now,” Mr Adler said. “About a week ago we got 11mm, which we really needed.

“Horsham got about 20mm to 40mm, but we never got that.”

After plenty of sun this season, crops were large and tapping into groundwater, Mr Adler said.

“Another 10mm of rain would secure confidence and maintain potential,” he said.

Last season was a bumper for Mr Adler, after rainfall fell at the right time.

“We had a great harvest last season,” he said.

This season, he is aiming to get 4.5 tonnes/ha for cereal crops.

“We will be dead on track for that if rain comes at the right time,” Mr Adler said.

MORE: HOW MUCH RAIN HAS FALLEN IN GRAIN GROWING TOWNS

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