Seeding 2022: WA farmers defy input price concerns and bolster plantings as grain prices and rain totals soar

Recent rainfall and strong grain prices have given WA farmers a confidence boost, with 500,000ha more land than originally forecast now set to be cropped in the 2022-23 grain growing season. Industry figureheads originally expected WA’s cropping program to top 8.7 million hectares this year, down from the record 9.2 million hectares cropped across the South West Land division last year. But the Grain Industry Association of WA’s first crop report of the 2022-23 growing season revealed recent rain and strong commodity prices had somewhat offset concerns about soaring input costs. The report said recent rainfall and strong prices would ensure canola plantings would “remain up” and a predicted swing to more pasture, lupins and fallow plantings was not expected to eventuate. GIWA crop report author Mike Lamond said just one month ago, it had been predicted the total crop area would contract back to 8.6 to 8.7 million hectares, compared to 9.2 million hectares last year. “The rain and good commodity prices have offset the increase in costs, to some extent, and while accepting it is very early in the season the crop area looks likely to be close to that again,” he said. Last year’s record canola planting of 1.6 million hectares — worth a record $2 billion thanks to a global shortage — is also expected to be equalled or beaten this year. Farmers across the State have been rejoicing after a hot and dry summer came to an end with considerable rainfall In March leaving soil water storage “well above average” for agricultural areas. High rainfall rollers that have tipped out more than 100mm during the past month include Koora (130mm), Kellerberrin (103mm), Badgingarra (160mm), Eneabba (122mm), Ongerup (106mm), Narrikup (121mm), and Manypeaks (114mm), Moora (125mm), Dudawa (101mm), Canna (122mm), and Gutha (100mm). Most climate models have neutral rainfall outlooks for April to June this year, with daytime temperatures expected to remain above average. The rain has instigated a flurry of activity, with thousands of hectares of canola already sown. Mr Lamond said growers were experiencing a multitude of headaches this seeding season, with supply chain issues, fertiliser costs, mice plagues, and snails in WA’s south. WA grain growers delivered a harvest total beyond their wildest dreams last year, with the 24 million tonne total smashing the prior 18.15 tonne record set in 2016-17 and delivering $10 billion to the WA economy. York farmer Duncan Young had an “OK” harvest, when waterlogging after 770mm of rain “took the edge off” yield potential in paddocks, but said he was happy for those that had their best season. He said while farmers had celebrated the end of harvest, they were facing a “reality check” this seeding season with concerns about astronomical fertiliser and chemical prices rising. “It is a mixed bag. A lot of the farmers I have spoken to are quite apprehensive about this year, with the massive cost of inputs putting a fair strain on farm budgets,” he said. “In the back of their mind, they are thinking ‘last year was our best year’, but statistically speaking they will have an average or below-average year in 2022-23. “Most people are still confident, though.” Not everyone is into seeding, with the hot and dry summer prompting a “wait and see” approach from farmers concerned about a lack of subsoil moisture or seed reserves to cover a false break. Some growers with significant subsoil moisture — particularly in the flood-affected parts of the Great Southern — are sowing canola to utilise excess subsoil moisture from last year. The report revealed Geraldton Port Zone growers were busy seeding, doing soil amelioration and spraying weeds, while others were holding back on sowing canola with hot days expected in April. Canola seeding and spraying is well under way in the Kwinana North Zone, with canola plantings “maxed out” in the region and barley, lupin and pasture areas are up. Hay production is likely to be the lowest in 20 years, with sheds full and export markets uncertain. More fallow and less oats have been forecast for the Kwinana South Zone, with high volumes of canola seed retained on-farm causing forecasting issues for seed companies unsure of requirements. The report revealed paddock plans had been “turned around” in the zone, with recent rainfall prompting more crop and particularly more canola to be planted this year. With little rain falling since harvest, it has been a slow start to seeding in the Albany West zone with growers struggling to source canola seed. Mr Lamond said there was a feeling of deja vu in the Albany South Zone, with plentiful rainfall in summer and soil moisture and snails abundant, while farmers in the Albany East or Lakes District had recorded variable rainfall and were feeling “nervous” with a dry outlook ahead. Farmers in the Esperance Port Zone have had a mixed bag of rainfall after a dry summer raised concerns about a lack of subsoil moisture and canola seed supply compounded by mice issues.