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Vol. 18 No. 15
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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SPRING COLOUR: Horsham Show’s rural ambassador Maddy McGennisken, vicechairman Michael Speirs and antique appraiser Linda Russell prepare for this year’s Horsham Spring Garden Festival. The festival, at Horsham Botanic Gardens this weekend, is a gardener’s paradise, as well as offering something for the whole family. For more on the festival see pages 20 to 22. Picture: KELLY LAIRD
Crops feel the heat A
BY DEAN LAWSON
Victorian farming leader has described the potential of Wimmera crops hit by unseasonably hot weather as a widespread week-to-week proposition.
Victorian Farmers Federation vicepresident David Jochinke, who farms at Murra Warra north of Horsham, joined in widespread grower disappointment in circumstances. But he refused ‘for the moment’ to concede the Wimmera-Mallee harvest was a complete write-off. “I’m optimistic by nature and while it doesn’t look good, there is still a chance with barley and legumes to
IN THIS ISSUE
provide slim returns for some farmers,” he said. “There is barley out there that is trying to fill and legumes that are still quite green. The hope is they can shut down to some extent in the hot weather and not drop too many flowers or pods. Considering the price for lentils, for example, they could create a circumstance where they go from zero to hero. But it’s a long shot and we remain wholly at the mercy of the weather. “The sky hasn’t fallen in just yet but it’s not good. We’ll know exactly where we are in the next fortnight.” The hot October spell, with temperatures climbing into the mid-30s and
drying northerly wind, shows little sign of respite. It came at a time when Wimmera farmers were hoping for rain to help already stressed crops. Some farmers had already conceded failed crops before the hot spell arrived and many are now cutting what to remain for hay.
Effect Mr Jochinke said it was an appropriate time for Wimmera farmers to start discussions about what the season might mean in the short to long term. “Farmers should be vigilant in monitoring their crops to gain a clear understanding of the changing circumstances,” he said.
“It’s been an ordinary spell of weather but we have to be on our feet and discussing possibilities so we can start to formulate plans moving forward. “Now is the time as farmers to discuss circumstances, not only among themselves, but with their advisors, agronomists, banks and families.” Member for Mallee Andrew Broad, also a farmer, said he would do whatever he could at a federal level to help Wimmera-Mallee farmers hit hard by crop losses. “As a federal member I do not make light of the difficult season that 2015 has been,” he said. “It’s going to force a lot of farmers to make some tough decisions and
I am very mindful of the road many people will have to walk. “I will be writing to the Federal Agriculture Minister to inform him of the Wimmera-Mallee cropping season and I want people to know that if there are things we can do then I will be pushing for them. “The disappointing part is that the north-east of the state looks fantastic, South Australia is looking pretty good and Western Australia is in good shape. It seems on this occasion that we’re the ones who are going to miss out. We’re just not getting the spring rain at the moment and I feel for everyone.”
• Prepare for fire season early • Mental health forum • Spring Racing Carnival feature
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