Unsettled and stormy weather conditions stalled harvesting across Victorian last week, leaving farmers anxious about potential quality downgrading.
Widespread storms swept through the Wimmera, Mallee and Central Victoria on Thursday, dumping a general 30-50mm on crops that farmers were ready to harvest. The heaviest of the rain was around Swan Hill and Kerang, with about 70mm.
Early yields through the Mallee are coming in better than expected, with farmers saying crops have benefitted from the cool October weather. However, concerns are building in the Mallee and Wimmera that the ongoing unsettled weather may result in quality downgrading.
Weekly grain deliveries into Graincorp’s storage network remains sluggish, after the storms slowed harvest progress.