Heavy damage to agricultural crops in South-East Australia due to adverse weather in September

03-Oct-2024 05:16 PM

Sydney. Due to dry weather and dense fog in the South-Eastern part of Australia during the month of September, many crops including wheat, canola and barley are suffering heavy losses.

The average yield rate of wheat in the Freeling district of South Australia province is usually 5.5-6 tonnes per hectare, but this time the condition of the crop is so bad that it is difficult to reach even 2 tonnes.

This time only one-third of the normal average rainfall has occurred there. Due to the very weak crop in the South-Eastern part, there is a possibility of further reduction in the production estimate of various crops at the national level.

However, the condition of crops in Queensland and the northern half of New South Wales province is said to be quite good. On the basis of initial harvesting-preparation, the production of crops there (in the northern region) is estimated to be more than the normal average or spectacular.

But the condition of crops in South Australia, Victoria and southern part of New South Wales is not good and in some areas farmers have started harvesting them to use as animal feed.

This mainly includes food grains and canola crops. The harvesting season of winter crops has officially begun in Australia. But its pace is likely to increase gradually.

In its report released on 3rd September, the government agency ABARES had increased the wheat production in Australia from 291 lakh tons to 318 lakh tons, barley from 115 lakh tons to 122 lakh tons and canola production estimate from 54 lakh tons to 55 lakh tons, but the industry and business sector believes that when the agency's new revised report will be released on 3rd December, the production estimate may be reduced.

It is known that ABARES usually releases its report on quarterly basis. According to analysts, the lentil crop has also suffered a lot due to dry weather and dense fog, due to which its production may come down to between 10-12 lakh tonnes.

Wheat production is also likely to remain below 300 lakh tonnes. The production of other crops will fall and the total agricultural production may be much less than last year.