Western Australian growers have missed out on a share of the additional $350 million in drought assistance announced by the federal government this week.
Western Australian growers have missed out on a share of the additional $350 million in drought assistance announced by the federal government this week.
At the same time, WA Department of Agriculture estimates for total grain production in WA for the 2006-07 season have been revised down, from 8.5 million tonnes to 7.1mt.
Wheat production is forecast at 4.6mt, almost half of last year’s figure.
Currently, the shires of Mullewa, Morawa and Perenjori are drought declared for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) support under the state government’s $5.3 million Dry Season Assistance Scheme.
Grain handler CBH has also revised down its receival estimates, from 7.5mt to 6.9mt.
WA Department of Agriculture grains market analyst Ann Wilkins said that, in most of the state, rains received late in the season had stabilised what could have been a disastrous season.
“WA started the winter season very poorly. The first three to four months – May, June and July particularly – were bad months in terms of rainfall and crop development. But in September and October we received kinder weather conditions,” she said.
“If it had continued the way it was, the season could have been a complete write-off.”
Ms Wilkins said grain prices, currently at a 10-year high, had been a positive factor.
“Whoever has got grain will do well in terms of prices,” she said.
WA wheat growers may also be hit with uncertainty surrounding wheat exporter and national pool manager AWB over the outcome of the Cole Inquiry.
“We are the state that will have wheat, but there will be uncertainty among farmers over who to sell it to,” Ms Wilkins said.
“They will still pool wheat, but it is a question of what price they’ll get.”
PGA grains committee chairman Leon Bradley, and WA Farmers grain council president Ray Marshall, held discussions with AWB International bosses in Canberra last week.
Mr Marshall said AWB had taken a step in the right direction by recognising the needs of WA growers, and praised new managing director Gordon Davis for meeting directly with WA farmers this week in a series of meetings in Koorda, Merredin and Lake Grace.
“It’s better late than never, but it will be positive if it provides security for pool participants, and gives confidence to growers,” he said.
