Hathways holding out for ‘couple more drinks’

There was a good break to the season, but after a few weeks of dry weather Kalannie farmers Graeme and Julie Hathway were looking for some rain.

Graeme said although germination was acceptable, things were really turned around by the August falls.

With 200mm for the growing season and wheat just emerging out of the flag leaf stage, the family are now set up for a good season.

But as long-term farm employee Peter Moore explains, first the crops need a couple more drinks.

“If we get two more rains, Graeme’s property should produce nearly as much as 2008, and we averaged a couple of tonne that year, ” Peter said.

“The earlier crops are sweet — if we don’t get any more rain they’ll finish off, but the later crops need a couple more drinks to come in with the fruit.”

The absence of last year’s frosty weather has done Graeme and Julie’s 7000ha wheat program the world of good and Graeme and Peter have just finished a 1000ha deep ripping program ready for next year’s crops.

With more rain the duo could rip another couple of paddocks and Peter said it was nice to see a season with promise.

“Graeme worked 12 months last year for nothing, I got paid, as he reminds me quite often, but that’s life on the farm, ” Peter said.

“Frost is the only variable now that will take it away and you can’t do much about that one.

“But if we get a season like this every year then farming in this area would be easy.”