‘Summer grain producers desperate for rain’

Very little rain has so far fallen over the western parts of South Africa’s summer grain production region, and producers are anxiously awaiting good rainfall, according to Grain SA economist, Petru Fourie.

A Grain SA survey showed that only a small proportion of hectares earmarked for grain production had been planted so far in the Free State and North West. The optimum planting period for these two provinces commenced on 15 November and would last until 15 December.

Anton Botha, a maize producer near Bultfontein, said producers were anxiously waiting for rain, hoping to start planting before 15 December.

Late plantings usually resulted in some degree of yield loss, something producers could not afford, he said.

Bultfontein and Hoopstad received rainfall very late in the season during the past four or five years, which had a serious impact on farmers’ sustainability and profitability.

“The late plantings made it virtually impossible for us to hedge against poor prices because of the variability of maize yields later in the season. We are desperate for rain,” he said.

It was also very dry in the eastern Free State and it was estimated that less than 20% of the hectares allocated for maize had been planted at the time of going to print. Wheat in the area was experiencing drought stress, and lower yields could be expected. The optimal summer grain production period in this region was between mid-October and mid-November. This resulted in widespread late plantings in the region, the survey found.

Almost no planting of dryland summer grains had taken place in Limpopo. Crops in Mpumalanga were looking good except in the southern and western parts. These areas received markedly less rainfall than the rest of the province. Approximately 90% of the hectares earmarked for maize and soya bean in KwaZulu-Natal had been planted, but follow-up rain was urgently needed. –