In this section:

Farmers hold out for follow-up rains

Monday, May 11, 2009

Widespread rainfall at the end of April has provided a good start for South Australian farmers, with many taking advantage of early seeding and paddock preparation.

The PIRSA Crop and Pasture Report for April, compiled by Rural Solutions SA, highlights that seeding has commenced in most districts following good falls in late April, however follow-up falls will be needed in many areas to enable seeding to be completed.

Author Peter Fulwood said that good falls throughout most districts late in the month provided “a very timely start to the season”.

Monthly rainfall generally varied from near to well above average, with totals ranging from less than 10 mm on parts of the east coast of Eyre Peninsula to more than 100 mm in the Mount Lofty ranges.

“The timely rainfall has provided an ideal opportunity for farmers to get an effective early weed kill prior to seeding at the near optimum time over the next few weeks,” he said.

“For much of the month there were limited paddock activities, with some burning off, cultivation and snail baiting as well as some dry seeding of cereals and pasture for early stock feed.”

Seeding has commenced in many areas with cereals for feed going in as well as canola, beans plus some wheat and barley for grain where there has been good weed control.

“Seeding is expected to progress rapidly during May, however many areas, particularly those that received lighter falls, are drying quickly and will need follow-up rainfall soon to enable seeding to be completed,” he said.

Total crop area is not expected to change significantly, however the area of wheat, durum, canola and chickpeas may be up slightly with a reduction in the area of feed barley.

The full report will be available this afternoon at www.pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport.