Media release
25 March 2011
DON’T THINK TWICE; IT’S NOT ALRIGHT – TFGA
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association says it will take weeks to assess the crops losses and other damage caused by the latest heavy rains and flooding in northern Tasmania, but the bill is already in the many millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, TFGA chief executive Jan Davis this morning urged all graziers to check their stock and, where necessary, get them to higher ground as soon as possible with rivers, especially in the northern midlands, expected to reach record levels in the next few hours.
“It’s all happening very quickly,” Ms Davis said, “and I urge all farmers to make sure their stock are safe. If you need help, don’t think twice. Call.”
It is already clear that potatoes, the mainstay of Tasmania’s vegetable industry, could be hard hit by the rain, which follows the heavy rain and floods in January.
“We are assessing the situation; clearly there will be delays in harvesting potatoes in some areas; we won’t know full extent of crop damage until the harvest, but this rain is not helping the situation,” Ms Davis said.
“Already we are hearing of potato farmers whose individual losses are in the tens of thousands of dollars.
“Others in the north have still to harvest barley and buckwheat, so they won’t know the rain damage until they can harvest.”
At Sassafras, grower David Addison is not only fearful for his potatoes and onions still in the ground. He estimates his poppy and pyrethrum income will be half of what he budgeted.
“It has been a frustrating season where all our crops have been affected and our bottom line will be hit very hard,” Mr Addison told the TFGA. “It’s very rare that you get four significant rainfall events in one season which is impacting the whole farm production, not just one sector .”
Ms Davis said another consequence of the appalling weather was that planting of winter crops would be delayed, crops such as wheat and oats.
“Like the grape growers, we all need a long spell of warm, dry weather so we can try get back on an even keel,” she said.
Jan Davis http://www.tfga.com.au/
