LAST season was “make and break” for many Mallee croppers, according to farmer Kate Wilson, who runs a 6800ha property between Hopetoun and Woomelang.
Ms Wilson said last year was one of the worst since 1982, both in terms of production and finances.
This year, it had been a “dream season” for red and green lentils, white, durum and spelt wheat, lupins and blue peas.
The property had received 434 millimetres of rain, so far this year.
“September was massive, we had 110mm, but last year in our growing season, between April and October, it was 103mm,” Ms Wilson said.
It couldn’t have come at a better time.
“There were a lot of growers who went into 2016 with negative cashflow; it was a ‘make or break’ year, for many people.
But she said Mallee farmers had to be adaptive and resilient.
“We have fought the climate forever and I think Mallee farmers are very good at accepting change, and being proactive and seeking alternatives, before they are forced to,” Ms Wilson said.
“I think Mallee farmers are in as good a spot as any; they have faced these challenges before, and will continue to do so.”
