Crops bitten by severe frosts and dry spell

DPI Technical Specialist Grain Services, Peter Matthews, said the downturn in seasonal conditions over the last eight weeks has pushed down harvest prospects for all winter crops, with only average yields now expected across the State.

“Down from earlier estimates, the projected winter crop harvest is now at 4.79 million hectares, consisting of 3.75 million hectares of cereal crops and 1.04 million hectares of pulse and oilseed,” Mr Matthews said.

“A major frost event through late August and early September caused widespread damage to canola, faba beans, lupins and some cereals.

“Severe frosts have wiped off up to 80 per cent of yield in individual crops in some low lying paddocks.

“The severe frosts couldn’t have come at a worse time with many crops at susceptible growth stages and already under moisture stress.”

Despite recent rainfall at the end of September across parts of the State, Mr Matthews said we are now at a critical point with most crops still needing good rainfall over the next two weeks to achieve current yield potentials.

“Without further rainfall, there will inevitably be further downgrading of the NSW crop,” Mr Matthews said.

Mr Matthews said prospects for the NSW summer crop remain optimistic.

“Adequate irrigation supplies and reasonable subsoil moisture put the current summer crop forecasts at 565,000 hectares, down from the 669,000 harvested last year.”

2012 winter crop forecasts

The September NSW grains report is available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/newsletters/grains-report 

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