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More rain needed for spring growth

Monday 6 August, 2007

South Australian farmers are looking to the skies for good rains over the coming weeks to keep their season on track.

According to the latest PIRSA Crop and Pasture report, prepared by Rural Solutions SA, the season looks promising but is now at a critical stage.

Author of the report Peter Fulwood said good rainfall is needed over the coming weeks to maintain strong growth into spring.

He said while SA’s crop production was looking optimistic in most districts, crops on much of Western Eyre Peninsula, parts of Eastern Eyre Peninsula and the Upper North were still in urgent need of rain to boost soil moisture.

The report highlights that if conditions remain favourable for farmers, crop production is expected to be 20 per cent above the five year average at around 6.98 million tonnes.

Last year SA’s farmers reaped in a final harvest of 2.93 million tonnes.

Mr Fulwood said due to rapid growth in late July, there have been reports of early crops starting to head in some areas, with most cereal crops ranging from mid tillering to early stem elongation.

“Although the main flowering period is not expected to start in most areas for another couple of weeks—canola, lupins, peas and beans have already commenced flowering in some districts,” he said.

However, areas of crop south of Port Pirie still have not emerged and these areas are now likely to remain bare despite the potential of rain.

The report also said pasture growth had picked up in most districts after slowing markedly in June, with good lambing percentages being reported in a number of districts.

The full Crop and Pasture Report will be posted on PIRSA’s website later today. www.pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport.