October rain boosts southern crop yields to record levels, threatens northern
October rain across Australia delivered record-breaking yields to southern farmers but struck northern crops at exactly the wrong time.
October rain across the east coast and South Australia created starkly different outcomes for Australian farmers. Southern farmers in low-rainfall zones like the SA and Victorian Mallee are expecting record yields.
One Victorian farmer said estimates showed crops 20 percent larger than previous records, calling it up to a "bin-burster." Further north, Queensland and northern NSW received drought-breaking rain, but the timing proved disastrous.
Rain of more than 200mm across Queensland's Darling Downs fell just as winter crops were being harvested, nearly mature and ready to pick. AgForce Queensland grains section president Brendan Taylor said the rain came "at precisely the wrong time for the winter crop," likely causing significant downgrading and yield loss.
A month earlier would have boosted the winter crop; a few weeks later would have helped the summer crop.
- 20 percent larger than previous records
- Victorian yield lift
- More than 200mm through Darling Downs
- Queensland rainfall
- Tim McClelland
- Victorian farmer
- Brendan Taylor, AgForce Queensland
- Industry voice
Why it mattersAustralian farmers will see sharply different profits from the same weather, record earnings in the south, significant crop losses in the north.
AustraliaSouthern Australian farmers are heading to record harvests, but northern growers face substantial crop downgrades and income loss.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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