Harvest nears in the Great Southern: Amelup farmer Darren Moir says no major frost events a good sign

The first signs of harvest are showing in the Great Southern as growers start swathing and spraying out crops. Crops across the region are quickly ripening as the weather warms, but the timing is a return to normal after last year’s early start. The first loads of canola have already been delivered to CBH receival sites near Geraldton and Esperance. While harvest in the Great Southern is still a few weeks away from being in full swing, some growers have started taking machinery onto their paddocks. Amelup farmer Darren Moir started swathing his canola this week. After game-changing rain in August, he said they were expecting average yields for their farm — a welcome result after a series of dry years. “It has been hand-to-mouth this growing season,” he said. “We had a good big rain in August and with a couple of other dribs and drabs, it is worth getting the harvester out. “We have a block on the other side of the Stirlings and our barley was burning off there before that rain, but thankfully that big system that came through in August gave us some good rain. “We had 70mm on that block and at home we had 40mm. “It’s been ticking along since then.” Mr Moir said with another fortnight of good conditions, he and other growers in the region would be cranking up for harvest. The other game-changer for the season has been the absence of any significant frost events for most of the Great Southern. Mr Moir said escaping frost damage had been critical for the crops. “We had a couple of light frost events but no-thing enough to do damage so we have had a spring without frost which is sensational,” he said. “It is as good as getting an inch of rain.” This year was the first time the Moirs have carted water for livestock on their farm. While dams received some run-off to fill for summer, Mr Moir said he was hoping for a wetter year next year to build up on-farm water supplies.