Australian Farmers Set To Harvest Best Wheat Crop In Years
After two years of crops decimated by drought, farmers in the northern wheatbelt areas of Western Australia are finally preparing to harvest a decent crop.
One grain silo manager said crops in some parts were the best he had seen in decades. "The last couple of years with the drought has placed a lot of pressure financially on growers, and mental demands," he said. "But this season, the spirits of the growers are high, the volumes are good and prices are reasonable."
In a year described as make or break for many debt-laden farms, some growers have reported harvesting more in one day than their entire tonnage for last season.
Andrew Thomas, who farm south-east of Mullewa, expects to harvest about 10 times the amount of grain over coming weeks that he produced last year. "It's a rewarding feeling to harvest a good crop after all that risk and effort," Mr Thomas said yesterday.
One grain silo manager said crops in some parts were the best he had seen in decades. "The last couple of years with the drought has placed a lot of pressure financially on growers, and mental demands," he said. "But this season, the spirits of the growers are high, the volumes are good and prices are reasonable."
In a year described as make or break for many debt-laden farms, some growers have reported harvesting more in one day than their entire tonnage for last season.
Andrew Thomas, who farm south-east of Mullewa, expects to harvest about 10 times the amount of grain over coming weeks that he produced last year. "It's a rewarding feeling to harvest a good crop after all that risk and effort," Mr Thomas said yesterday.