Winter crop production is forecast to rise to near-record levels in agricultural regions across the country but it's a different story in South Australia and Victoria. Despite some early spring rains many farmers are expecting results significantly below the high yields of recent years.
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00:00John Lush has reaped the benefits of crops that match his name for more than 50 years.
00:07But the Adelaide Plains farmer is now holding onto hopes of just breaking even.
00:12The outlook for this year's cropping season is dry after low and late rainfall across large parts of the state.
00:18Looking at the sky, looking at the weather, it doesn't look like it's going to regain its potential so I think we're in trouble this year.
00:24That concern is confirmed by the latest federal government data.
00:28While New South Wales and Queensland are forecast to produce near-record crops, it's a different story in Victoria and South Australia,
00:37with both states expected to register significant year-on-year drops.
00:41The next few weeks are crucial.
00:43Really what we need now is a really, really kind September.
00:46Not much wind and even just good dewy mornings certainly helps, but yeah, rain is always key.
00:52We operate in one of the most variable climates in the world, heavily reliant our cropping seasons on that winter rainfall pattern that comes through.
01:00It's not the season that producers in South Australia wanted, but they say that is the nature of farming.
01:06Already they've begun planning on how they're going to respond to this year's season and bounce back like they always do.
01:12Farmers today expect that there is going to be a dry year in amongst, you know, over a ten year period, there's always a dry year in that time.
01:22Either way, they'll still be looking to the skies.
01:25We'd better get down on our knees and pray for rain I think.
01:27A last minute spring drenching could still save the day.