News Grain
Drought threatens arable farmers in Australia
La Niña has provided above-average precipitation in large parts of Australia during the Australian summer (our winter), but the drought has now set in again. Farmers are starting to worry about whether this year will not be a repeat of 2018 and 2019.
There has been no significant rain in several parts of the country since January and April in particular has been much drier than average, according to the Australian Meteorological Service.
Farmers are concerned about the impact on their crops. Colin Hunt, a farmer in Victoria, tells ABC News that he is sticking to the plan to sow 4.500 hectares of grain. "But we will decide next week whether we will also sow peas."
Long period of drought
The country has been dealing with relatively little precipitation for several years, according to the Meteorological Service. Season 2020 went well, but in the 2 years before that it was dramatic according to ABC. Crops were in such bad shape and yields were low. Arable farmers have therefore not even harvested several plots. This year too, farmers are having trouble getting the crops out. However, partly due to the high grain prices, they are also trying to sow in the dry areas. If there is still some rain, arable farmers can at least benefit from it.
The country needs heavy rainfall to replenish the water shortages that have arisen in recent years. The The meteorological service does not expect a weather change until September on the basis of the models. Also, there are few, if any, indicators pointing to the development of new El Nino or La Niña weather patterns.
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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