'Long and difficult... but very rewarding': Farmers reflect on a year of higher rainfall, tonnage and costs

Regardless of location or sector, 2022 has been a big year for farmers in Western Australia.
Key points: Farmers describe the 2022 season as unusual, rewarding and challenging. In many cases, increased rainfall, tonnage and prices have all contributed to a busy agricultural year. In 2023, industries are hoping for stability and another positive season
In the state's grain belt, producers harvested a potentially record grain crop and were further buoyed by high prices grain.
Rising commodity prices were tempered by a major jump in the cost of production, with disrupted supply chains and high input costs wreaking havoc.
Red meat prices have soared, but biosecurity concerns have dominated the livestock sector following the spread of several diseases in Indonesia .
And although Western Australia did not receive the rainfall volumes seen in the eastern states, wet weather conditions across the state were well above average.
Rain does a lot but a tough grain season
Rain has fallen liberally across Western Australia's grain belt this year, preparing farmers for one of the best seasons ever.
More than 20 million tons of grain were delivered to WA's main bulk grain handler before the end of the year, approaching the all-time high of 21.3 million tonnes delivered to the CBH group last year.
As the New Year approaches, farmers look back on the 2022 season. (ABC Great Southern: Sophie Johnson)
But the rain prolonged the harvest, with many producers interrupted by wet weather between October and December.
Robert Davies is a mixed farmer based in Wellstead, 100 miles northeast of Albany.
He has recorded over 250 millimeters of rain in October, just as he was about to start harvesting.
"It was long and hard...but we managed to get some of it back. most of it and it was...very rewarding," he said.< /p>Increased prices, as well as input costs
A significant increase in production costs has been a challenge few industries have been able to escape in 2022.
As prices for red meat, grains and fruit have risen, costs for freight, diesel , fertilizers and chemicals also rose as global markets reacted to the war in Ukraine and Russia.
Brian Dell'Agostino is the chief operating officer of table grape producer Fruitico, which operates multiple vineyards across Washington State.
With little relief expected in the near term, he said the company is focused on finding new efficiencies in 2023.

Agrotech Dec 30, 2022 0 54 Add to Reading List

'Long and difficult... but very rewarding': Farmers reflect on a year of higher rainfall, tonnage and costs

Regardless of location or sector, 2022 has been a big year for farmers in Western Australia.

Key points: Farmers describe the 2022 season as unusual, rewarding and challenging. In many cases, increased rainfall, tonnage and prices have all contributed to a busy agricultural year. In 2023, industries are hoping for stability and another positive season

In the state's grain belt, producers harvested a potentially record grain crop and were further buoyed by high prices grain.

Rising commodity prices were tempered by a major jump in the cost of production, with disrupted supply chains and high input costs wreaking havoc.

Red meat prices have soared, but biosecurity concerns have dominated the livestock sector following the spread of several diseases in Indonesia .

And although Western Australia did not receive the rainfall volumes seen in the eastern states, wet weather conditions across the state were well above average.

Rain does a lot but a tough grain season

Rain has fallen liberally across Western Australia's grain belt this year, preparing farmers for one of the best seasons ever.

More than 20 million tons of grain were delivered to WA's main bulk grain handler before the end of the year, approaching the all-time high of 21.3 million tonnes delivered to the CBH group last year.

But the rain prolonged the harvest, with many producers interrupted by wet weather between October and December.

Robert Davies is a mixed farmer based in Wellstead, 100 miles northeast of Albany.

He has recorded over 250 millimeters of rain in October, just as he was about to start harvesting.

"It was long and hard...but we managed to get some of it back. most of it and it was...very rewarding," he said.< /p>Increased prices, as well as input costs

A significant increase in production costs has been a challenge few industries have been able to escape in 2022.

As prices for red meat, grains and fruit have risen, costs for freight, diesel , fertilizers and chemicals also rose as global markets reacted to the war in Ukraine and Russia.

Brian Dell'Agostino is the chief operating officer of table grape producer Fruitico, which operates multiple vineyards across Washington State.

With little relief expected in the near term, he said the company is focused on finding new efficiencies in 2023.