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SA grain crop downgraded

Friday 5 October, 2007

Warm, dry and windy weather has further impacted on the state’s grain crop.

The crop harvest has been downgraded to 4.85 million tonnes, from 5.5 million tonnes last month.

The PIRSA Crop and Harvest Report is prepared by Rural Solutions SA.

Crop consultant Peter Fulwood said that mean daily temperatures were between two and four degrees above average during September in many districts.

“There were also a couple of days that were hot and windy and this has also affected crops,” he said.

Rainfall recorded during the month was also well below average across the state.

“Further rain during October is needed to maintain crop yield potential at current levels,” Mr Fulwood said.

“While many regions have been severely affected by the weather during August, there are some bright lights across South Australia.

“Some areas like parts of the mid-north, central and southern Yorke Peninsula, and the upper and lower south east are looking good and should benefit from high grain prices.”

The State Government is continuously monitoring drought impacts through high-level drought task forces which include key State Government agencies as well as Centrelink, SA Farmers Federation and Rural Financial Counselling Service.

More information on assistance measures is available from the drought hotline 180 2020.

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