Western District farmers face below-average yields despite strong start

HOPES for a thriving harvest withered for Western District growers after the season’s strong start.

Ash Nelson & his son Todd, 9, at his farm, Cressy

HOPES for a thriving harvest withered for Western District growers after the season’s strong, wet start took a dry turn.

Cressy farmer Ash Nelson saidwhen sowing in May that he had enjoyed “the best break in years”.

But as he gears up to harvest his canola next week and cereals in December, Mr Nelson said his crops were thirsty for a heavy downpour.

He said yields would be a bit under what he would see in a good year.

“In the last couple weeks of winter we had springlike weather, and the winds were drying up the ground,” Mr Nelson said.

Westlake Total Ag agronomist Ed Hilsdon, at Lake Bolac, said the season’s rainfall had worsened, with a good start and a poor end.

Mr Hilsdon said there had been 40mm of rain in September and October, when the average for October alone was 60mm.

“We are disappointed but when you compare us to some other parts, we’re in a good position ... and the margins are still there,” he said.

Harvest 2014-15