The potential for a record cropping season in WA this year is on a knife edge, with rain now needed urgently to realise the optimistic ProFarmer crop forecast released this week.
While most of WA’s South West districts benefitted from heavy rain last weekend, to set up record canola and wheat plantings, the major broadacre grain-growing areas in the north of WA’s wheatbelt, central and southeast Wheatbelt are still in need of more rain.
Hopes are high that a forecast frontal system will deliver substantial rains to the areas on Friday this week.
Between 15-25mm is needed to kick crops up and away and set up yield potential.
Rain also is needed to freshen up drying pastures for livestock.
Broomehill, WA, farmers Craig and Brant Dennis however, will finish their cropping program this week after a timely 32mm of rain.
“It was getting a bit dry and we’re still hand feeding sheep,” Craig said.
“But we’ve been going 24 hours a day for the last four weeks to get the crop in and last weekend’s rain was very timely.
“During the dry period we stuck to sowing into the stubbles and we’re finishing up on the pastures this week.
“Hopefully we’ll get more rain soon to push the crop germinations and get a good go at the remaining weeds.”