NSW grain growers optimistic ahead of sowing this season

After some good rains in NSW, grain growers could be looking at another bumper year ahead.

POSITIVE SIGNS: With reasonable moisture supply across cropping regions of NSW, confidence is rising for a another bumper year ahead, NSW Farmers’ chair Matthew Madden says. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

FOLLOWING a phenomenal year for NSW grain growers, confidence is rising for another bumper season ahead.

NSW Farmers’ chair Matthew Madden said soil moisture was building in the east of the state, and there had been regular rainfall in the north.

“Some people may have missed out, but overall the confidence is growing that we have reasonable moisture supply,” he said.

“A lot of spraying is going on to bank that moisture as well as a lot of ground cover that is keeping that moisture there.

“There is a degree of optimism out there.”

Mr Madden said regular falls would allow planting of crops this season to be on time or allow for early planting and get crops away to an early start.

If average rainfall was reached, along with some regular falls coming into autumn, that would allow growers to get their crop preparation done, Mr Madden said.

“Growers can then get their fertiliser on earlier and keep fallows clean and get ready for an early break if needed,” he said.

“An on-time break and on-time sowing really does allow for that potential to be achieved.”

And growers’ cropping rotations are not in for much of a change this year, Mr Madden said.

“Canola is very strong and there will be big plant of that especially if there is an early break,” he said.

Mr Madden said barley would continue to have a place in growers’ programs as alternate markets were found to replace China.

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