Record plantings forecast in SA

Friday, May 11, 2007

A record area of crops sown in South Australia could follow the ideal seasonal break.
In May last year, 3.84 million hectares were planted – but the drought led to more than 100,000ha being cut for hay.

According to PIRSA's latest crop and pasture report, there is likely to be an increase in the area sown to wheat, canola and some pulses, such as beans and peas. There are also indications that an increased area of cereal will be sown for hay.

Yorke Peninsula agronomist Bill Long believes record crop plantings are likely, particularly for cereals.

"With the great start we've had, we'll probably see a slight elevation in canola plantings," he said.

"It's really been as perfect a start as you could hope for."

Mr Long said those with livestock were likely to establish pasture paddocks.

"For the livestock guys, the fantastic break we've had to the season has meant there will be a lot of feed available in a month or so," he said.

"On the peninsula, we haven't seen such good medic germination in many years."

Mr Long said seeding was well under way on Yorke Peninsula.

"A lot of canola has been planted in the past week and cereals are just getting started," he said.

"Farmers can confidently get on and plant after having had good germination of weeds.

"There is optimism, but farmers are mindful we still need winter and spring rains."

Rural Directions' Chris Heinjus said it was too early to call whether there would be record plantings.

"The conditions are certainly good and farmers' attitudes are brilliant," he said.

"There is the potential to be a large crop, but there is such a long way to go yet. I wouldn't want to put the cart before the horse and say there'll be a massive crop."

Mr Heinjus said many farmers were exercising caution after last year's good start was wasted when decent follow-up rains failed to eventuate.

"But it's still early May and the drought is very fresh in people's minds, and it will continue to be."

SOURCE: Extract from full story in Stock Journal published Thursday, May 10, 2007.