Storms devastate barley profits
Posted
Farmers in Western Australia's great southern are set to lose half their barley profits after last week's storms, which dumped large quantities of rain and hail on the region.
Nyabing farmer Wally Filmer received 62 millimetres of rain in two days, following nine straight days of rain.
Mr Filmer says the rain has discoloured all of his barley crop and caused spotted mould.
He says that will mean the barley will have to drop out of the malt category and into feed, which is worth half as much.
"With malt running at around about $320 and feed down around $170, when you drop from malting grade down into feed grade because of this staining in particular and the mould, that has a significant financial impact on your whole operation," he said.
Meanwhile, Salmon Gums farmers say they are positive about the months ahead, despite having had crops and infrastructure devastated by last week's storm.
Wild weather battered the region, pelting crops with golf ball-sized hail, killing livestock and damaging houses and sheds.
Farmer Andrew Longmire says locals are pleased the state Minister for Agriculture, Terry Redman, visited the area on Friday.
Mr Longmire is confident the damage will be covered by insurance but says if not, farmers will ask for help from the State Government.
"If there's any problems we may have, any other issues, I think anybody that met the Minister the other day will get help from him and I'm sure he'll respond," he said.
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