Barley Banquet: Crops on a pedestal

Barley crops are looking stellar at Rupanyup and soon the town will celebrate community and all things ag at its annual banquet.

Barley crops are the talk of the town at Rupanyup, but not just because it’s a great season.

On October 21, around 400 people will gather for the longstanding fixture known as the Rupanyup Barley Banquet.

With an idyllic backdrop of barley crops, the big event for the town celebrates all things agriculture and community.

Tess Healy of Rupanyup said overall, barley crops looked excellent in the region but could ideally use another spring rain.

“The last window for rainfall is upon us, so the next fortnight is crucial to see yield potential maintained,” Tess said.

The region still wasn’t out of frost risk.

Barley is a stable performer for the Rupanyup region and is well suited to the growing conditions in the area.

Jedda the Border Collie pictured in a barley crop at Rupanyup. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Tess said last year was extremely wet, and the region experienced waterlogging.

She said the Barley Banquet still went ahead in 2022 in almost swamp-like conditions, so it would be great to have a better backdrop this year.

“We pulled it together last year … and we are looking forward to stable footing for our guests this year,” Tess said.

“The wet year last year has given us great subsoil moisture, and we have had one hell of a (good) winter,” she said.

This year 235mm of rain has fallen so far. Of this 193mm was in-crop rainfall.

“The plants have taken full advantage of the conditions,” she said.

Tess said her Rupanyup property also grew canola, lentils, beans, wheat and barley.

There was also some vetch that would be baled imminently.

Tess said vetch played a crucial role in weed control.