Crops cut for hay at Graeme McCrow’s property at Westmere

Western District farmer Graeme McCrow usually cuts about 400 bales of hay. But this year he is cutting 2000.

After the frost hit the region Graeme made the decision to cut more wheat for hay. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

It’s no secret that dry conditions have hit the western district of Victoria hard this season and now farmers are waiting to see exactly what impact it has had on yields.

Graeme McCrow from Westmere grows 600ha of winter crops and also runs livestock.

He estimates that canola yields could be halved from the dry seasons combined with frost damage.

“We will know more later this week, I estimate yields of 1.4 tonnes/ha to 1.5 tonnes/ha for canola,” he said.

There was 200ha of canola to be harvested and it was windrowed two weeks ago.

The toll of the dry and frost was still largely unknown for the wheat and faba beans.

After the frost hit the region in September Graeme made the decision to cut more wheat for hay than usual.

“We usually cut around 400 bales. This year we have cut 2000 bales,” he said.

“We will sell some and use about a third of what we have cut.”

Just 320mm of rain has fallen at Westmere, and to add to the challenges already present the frost came as an additional factor. Typically, the area receives an average annual rainfall of 550mm.

Graeme McCrow and his son Mitch, at Westmere. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“The canola looks all right at this stage but we will wait and see until we get a header in,” he said.

The wheat and faba beans were still a little way off harvest.

To put the dry year in perspective, Graeme said he had already started hand-feeding livestock.

The stormy conditions at the weekend also hit the region with windy weather but very little rain.

“It blew the windrows around a bit,” Graeme said.

He stopped harvesting after the wind and rain but was prepared to start again early this week.