Crop growth across the state’s grain belt is well ahead of schedule after one of the warmest starts to winter in three decades, but the state’s peak industry body has warned some regions are in dire need of rain.
According to the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia, the drier than average start to the season has left crops in the southern regions in good shape.
But those in the northern regions will require rain within the next week if grain yield potential is to be maintained.
GIWA said grain price fluctuations and predictions of a drier than average spring have many growers concerned, particularly in regions with low sub-soil moisture reserves.
“A lot has been invested in maximising potential yield across the state and whilst the current condition of the WA crop has many positives, there are plenty of red flags as well,” a GIWA spokesperson said.
Though the expedited development of most crops means they won’t be as dependent on spring rain to finish grain-fill, GIWA has warned the looming risk is frost.
The state is expected to harvest about 20 million tonnes of grain this year.
