Growers say early rice harvest shows yields of 14 tonnes a hectare

Bumper rice yields of more than 14 tonnes a hectare have been recorded in NSW as crops benefit from warm conditions.

Rice growers say they are on the cusp of a bumper harvest, with reported yields of more than 14 tonnes a hectare.

For farmers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area the run of hot weather has resulted in one of the earliest harvests on record.

Glen Andreazza and son Daniel of Willbriggie in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area with their rice crop in the background. Picture: Supplied

Glen and Julie Andreazza farm with their son Daniel at Willbriggie in NSW and said conditions have been ideal for rice growing.

Glen said this was the earliest start to harvest. In fact, it was at least two weeks earlier than previous years.

“We started on March 15, and we could have started even earlier,” he said.

The yields have also been promising.

Mr Andreazza said the harvest was about halfway through, and there were yields ranging from 12.5 to 12.6 tonnes a hectare on the Topaz variety of rice.

“We were banking on 10 tonnes (a hectare), so this is well above our initial expectations,” he said.

Mr Andreazza said even the hot weather at the end of the growing season, with temperatures of high 30C to early 40C, had not been detrimental and had, in fact, helped rice.

“If we can keep the machine going we will be done in two weeks or less,” he said.

Rice harvest gets off to a positive start in NSW. Picture: Andy Rogers

Andrew and Leanne Cameron from Willbriggie said it was too early to give overall yield estimates but it wouldn’t be excessive to expect to see 14 tonnes a hectare.

“The rice is doing well, and we are getting through it early,” Mr Cameron said.

“It has been a good year for rice with hot days, and the crop filled quite well,” he said.

Mr Cameron said there was no help from any additional rainfall, but the warm weather, combined with irrigation, had set things up well for the crop.

“We had a shower of rain last week, which delayed us ... but we should be finished harvest by Wednesday,” he said.

If the rice harvest is complete by Wednesday this week, that will be their earliest finish they have had.

Agronomist John Lacey from Finley, NSW, said growers in his area had also welcomed the warm weather, and some good yields were anticipated.

He said harvest would come early, but not to the same extent of those in the northern Riverina.

“Conditions have been good, and there has been more sunlight to promote photosynthesis and grain fill,” he said.