A LACK of rain for local primary producers is continuing to bite, with farmers reliant on pasture crops struggling and running short on feed for livestock.
The stresses stem back to the autumn period where little to no rainfall fell, which has forced farmers to dry seed because of dry sub-soil conditions.
Recent rainfall gave farmers some confidence, but it’s too little too late for many.
Wangaratta AG Warehouse agronomist Bec Bingley has been pulling out all stops to assist farmers to ensure the best yield come spring, but is also feeling the struggle because of the recent weather pattern.
“To put it simply, we had no autumn break and with ongoing dry conditions with inconsistent rainfall, it's put a lot of pressure on pasture crops,” Ms Bingley said.
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“Broadacre producers are in a stronger position as the crops do not require a lot of rainfall, however, it’s pasture farmers that are really feeling the pinch.
“Farmers have several challenges right now as the consistent frost conditions take moisture out of the soil as well as freezing plant cells on developing plants.
“Farmers are hedging their bets on where to go as far as input on their crops.
“The biggest problem at hand is farmers with pasture crop are reliant on the crops for their stock, whether be dairy or beef cattle.
“These producers are in a position where they have no feed left in silos or sheds and are now being forced to buy in straw, hay and grain to sustain their livestock.”
With the increased demand, availability has become scarce locally and is not of the usual quality and comes with a high price tag.
“Farmers have been hit from multiple angles with their current supply of feed, with some tackling rats in silos that are eating and contaminating feed,” Ms Bingley said.
“The concern right now is deciding on what direction we need to head with crops and achieve the best outcome based on these uncertain weather conditions.
“I have assisted farmers in strategies in relation to fertiliser as most fertilisers require sufficient rainfall for the fertiliser to work and have changed tactics by using Progibb which is a bio stimulant that regulates growth in plants that will counteract the lack of rain and feed the plant.
“Because of the current conditions, some farmers are hesitant to outlay money on fertiliser and will wait and see, while farmers with livestock are stretched financially and outlay money on hard feed as their crops cannot be used to feed livestock until later this year.
“I expect pasture yields to fall back as much as 50 per cent this year due to the unseasonal year.
“Another setback for farmers is they are spending more time trying to source feed creating a setback in spending time on usual farm maintenance.
“The worry is food shortage and the expense to buy it in makes it tough as there is not much industry support for our farmers on a local level.
“In reality our broadacre guys will still get a crop off but our pasture farms will continue to struggle.
“People understand we cannot change the environment, but we can only adapt and work through and hope that spring conditions will aid the current struggle.
“I have commenced summer cropping plans for farmers, keeping in mind that every plan for each farmer is different.”
