The rain has come too late to save most of the peanut crops planted around the South Burnett, and in some cases has frustrated farmers’ ambitions to bale their crops for hay.
BGA agronomist Ian Crosthwaite told southburnett.com.au today that some local farmers were describing this year as literally their “worst ever”.
“If you did a survey of the farmers around here, most of them would tell you it’s been one of their worst years, or their worst season ever,” he said.
“It’s not just because of the weather, but because of their financial position as well.”
Mr Crosthwaite said that, ironically, some peanut bushes had come to life with the rain and tried to start pegging, but far too late in the season. They put all their effort into this with the result that the bushes, which farmers had planned to bale, collapsed and lost all their leaves.
He said some local peanut growers would starting digging a crop in about two weeks, but these would be the minority. He noted that the shorter season Redvale peanut variety had done better under the conditions than the longer-season Virginia types.
Peanut crops are believed to have done better in other growing areas around Queensland, in Bundaberg and North Queensland.
Mr Crosthwaite said other South Burnett crops had also fared badly.
“There are no real shining lights this year,” he said.
