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Western Australia | Hi Pedro,
I am near Bolgart, just NE of Perth, so far it is the driest period Mar-Jun on records we have since 1913. Some of the NE wheatbelt is fine, and also around Esperance way they are good. We have about 20% of our programme in, but that is only lupins, some has germinated, but the heavier ground is waiting for moisture to germinate. Some around here have finished, sowed deep to get to moisture, some has come up but there is a lot sowed dry and hoping for rain to get it going.
IF we get some rain in the next couple of weeks we will get moving, but yields will be down, looking at best for 2.5T/ha when we should be getting up to 3.5-4T/ha. After the beginning of July we will be looking at cutting back the programme as yields will be getting too close to breakeven with our cost structure.
Had an agronomist talking to a group of us today, and he still seems quite up-beat about the future. Will go ahead with one pass of the spray for the first couple of days, and then hit the weeds again after that with a double knock, cut back the N programme and hope for the best.
Know of a few growers up near Geraldton who will not grow wheat this year as it is too late already. | |
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