WITH harvest well underway in the Mallee, experts have predicted a return to a more average yield following a bumper crop last year.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) estimates show that this year’s cropping area of 3.4 million hectares across the state will only be about one per cent lower than last season’s.
In terms of tonnage however, more than 730,000 tonnes of wheat is expected to be tilled in the Mallee, while the estimated amount of barley to be harvested sits at just above 600,000 tonnes.
In addition, the DPI’s estimate for the Mallee’s canola yield is about 40,000 tonnes less than last year’s estimate.
GrainCorp spokesman Angus Trigg told The Guardian that harvest was about 40 per cent complete in the Swan Hill region.
“Things are in full swing, particularly in Swan Hill,” he said.
“Canola and barley is largely done and wheat is just starting to come in.”
For more of this story see Wednesday’s (November 21) Guardian.
