Grain prices help Lower Murray growers make the most of an average harvest
Yields for 2021-22 are in line with long-term averages around Murray Bridge, PIRSA says, but it has been hard going in the Mallee.
High prices are poised to help the Lower Murray’s grain growers make the most of average to poor yields this harvest season, according to PIRSA’s latest crop outlook.
Like South Australia as a whole, yields in the Murray Bridge district have typically been in line with long-term averages.
The Lower Murray is expected to contribute 156,500 tonnes of a total 7.7 million-tonne harvest for SA.
But those elsewhere in the Murraylands and Mallee have not been so fortunate, according to Tuesday’s crop and pasture report from Primary Industries and Regions SA.
Cropping areas north of Murray Bridge, between Palmer and Bowhill, were damaged by hail in late October, with losses of up to 30 per cent.
October frost also caused major problems in the upper South East, including 100% crop losses in parts; and yields in the southern Mallee districts were heavily impacted by a lack of moisture.
Still, Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham tried to put a positive spin on things.
“We are seeing some of the highest price returns in Australia for canola, both GM and non-GM, wheat and barley, right here in South Australia,” he said.
“This is just reward for the hard work farmers have put in this year.”
- More information: app.powerbi.com.
Monarto South silos have their busiest day
Viterra’s regional operations manager, Jo Klitschker, said the company’s Monarto South silos had experienced their busiest day ever last week – two days in a row.
“I congratulate local growers for breaking the record and our employees for their efforts in managing such a busy time in a safe way,” she said.
Across South Australia, the harvest is about halfway through.
- Send us your harvest photos or info: Email peri@murraybridge.news.
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