Early crop potential tempered by dry subsoil – June crop report
Monday 7 July 2008
South Australian farmers are pinning their hopes on substantial rains in July and August to help revive this year’s crops.
PIRSA’s latest Crop and Pasture report says that while seeding has largely finished, without urgent rain, there is not enough stored soil moisture to sustain growth over coming weeks.
The June report, compiled by Peter Fulwood, of Rural Solutions SA, says that crop growth was rapid over the past month due to relatively mild temperatures. However some of the early potential had been tempered by dry subsoil, recent strong winds and topsoil drift.
“July and August are shaping as critical months for South Australian farmers, who desperately need rain to build soil moisture reserves,” he said.
Growers faced tough conditions during June, with monthly rainfall generally below average, temperatures mostly cool to occasionally cold with few frosts, and some regions facing strong to gale force winds on several occasions, causing significant drift in drier areas.
Mr Fulwood said despite the harsh conditions many crops were still doing well, but all needed considerable rain to keep them going. Total crop area is estimated to be 4.07 million hectares with crop production currently estimated to be 5.83 million tonnes.
“In some areas crop establishment has been patchy, and good falls are needed during the next couple of months to maintain yield potential and build up stored soil moisture going into spring,” he said.
Pastures continue to grow, however limited rainfall and lower temperatures during late June slowed earlier potential. In the driest areas, paddock feed was critically low and minimal cover is increasing susceptibility to severe wind erosion.
“Paddock feed is barely adequate for stock requirements in many areas and grazing pressure needs to be carefully managed with supplementary feeding ongoing.”
The full report will be available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport later today.
