FOURTH-generation Lowbank farmer David Schmidt is hoping for at least another 20mm of rain over the next fortnight to boost cereal crop production this season on his family’s 10,000ha property.

Mr Schmidt owns the farm, east of Waikerie, with his father Glynn and brother Anthony.

The family grows wheat, barley, triticale, vetch and medic, while also breeding sheep.

Mr Schmidt is optimistic about this year’s harvest, despite a dry start.

“The first few months of the year started off really dry, but we received rain around Anzac Day,” he said.

“That rain was about 13mm and it was enough for us to start seeding.”

Mr Schmidt said crop germination was patchy until about 30mm of rain arrived at the end of May.

“This got everything really going,” he said.

“The crops are starting to use a lot more moisture as the plant grows, so we would love to see more rain to keep things moving along.”

Mr Schmidt said cold weather would slow down the development of crops.

“But, it doesn’t hurt them,” he said, “as they will pillar out a bit more and not race ahead too fast.”

Mr Schmidt said a spell of sunny warm weather last week has spurred on the development of crops and he is expecting this year’s harvest to begin in late October to early November.

Mr Schmidt said farmers should receive above-average returns of about $450 a tonne for wheat and just below $400 a tonne for barley this year.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to a global food crisis with surging prices for grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertiliser. 

Russia and Ukraine together produce nearly one-third of global wheat supplies.

Mr Schmidt said the high prices being offered for grain this year would hopefully cover the increased cost of fuel and fertiliser.