A NORTH Tasmanian farmer has been forced to scrap his entire potato crop because of the unseasonably dry weather.
Justin Badcock, who owns a fourth-generation farm at Exton, west of Launceston, has been faced with tough decisions because of the record low October rainfall, which is putting pressure on coastal farmers.
Mr Badcock usually supplies 550 tonnes of potatoes to Simplot. This year he will have none.
"It's getting to a scary point now," Mr Badcock said.
"My father has never seen it like this and he is nearly 70, so that's saying something."
With more ewes dropping lambs this year but without the grass to feed the sheep he sacrificed the potato plot.
"Usually at this time grass is up to our ears," Mr Badcock said
"But with the frost and then all the wind the grass started disappearing."
It is the first year in the farm's history that they have had to drop a crop because of the lack of rain.
Mr Badcock is not signed up to the irrigation system and the low levels in his dam have not been enough to keep his pastures green.
If drier weather became the norm, farmers in the area would need a new strategy, Mr Badcock said.
Right now relying on dams and nature was not enough, he said.
"It is going to hurt the pocket," Mr Badcock said.
"It just shows it effects the whole community because the local bloke that helps with the potato crops is not going to have work and then all the businesses down the line."
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) vegetable council chairman Nathan Richardson said low October rainfall could threaten Tasmania's valuable potato crop.
"I would say every farmer is concerned at the moment," Mr Richardson said.
"But if we have another month with very low rainfall that will really be a problem."
The conditions have forced growers to irrigate land up to five weeks prior to planting their crops, Mr Richardson said.
"It puts massive pressure on water systems," he said.
Potato crops generate about $82 million for the state each year.
Mr Richardson said summer crops, including potatoes, carrots, beans and broccoli, were most likely to be affected by ongoing dry conditions.
Mr Richardson has not planted an additional 250 tonnes of potatoes on his farm near Thirlstane due to the lack of water, which will cost his business close to $80,000.
His property is covered by the government irrigation scheme, which has allowed him to irrigate his existing crops.
TFGA president Wayne Johnston is scheduled to meet Tasmania Agriculture Minister Jeremy Rockliff today to discuss the lack of rainfall.
*This story first appeared on The Advocate, Tasmania
