Fears are growing that Australian produce could rot in fields if backpacker visa cuts go ahead. A federal agriculture department official told a Senate estimates hearing that no modelling had been done on the likely effect on harvests. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that second-year visa places will fall from 57,000 to 45,000, and third-year places from 31,000 to 5000. The Northern Territory government has warned that the Top End mango harvest could lose 1000 workers. The National Farmers Federation has urged the government to return to regular visa processing.
Hail and heavy rain have damaged crops on a South Australian farm just ahead of an expected record harvest. About 30 millimetres of rain fell in 10 minutes at Kamora Park Poll Merino Station near Sandalwood, about 175 kilometres east of Adelaide. Stud principal Katelyn Boughen said at least half of a lupin crop may be damaged. Her aunt, Anne Boughen, estimated about a quarter of the crop, around 400 hectares, was lost. Storms also hit Lameroo and nearby towns, flooding a main street.
The Northern Territory's mango harvest has been historically low this year, with the Darwin crop forecast the lowest in probably 15 to 20 years. Grower Saramat Ruchkaew said she had never seen a season like it in 35 years, and some trees had to be picked five times. NT Mango Industry Association president Leo Skliros blamed unusual weather and a late end to a large wet season. Katherine is faring better, and may produce more mangoes than Darwin for the first time. Wholesale prices remain reasonable, with strong demand for the fruit.
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Above-average rainfall has ended years of drought for farming families in South Australia's Riverland. Kiara Fisher, at Bugle Hut, says this year's bumper crop will help her family pay bills. Louise Smith, at Maggea, received 350 millimetres of rain so far this year, more than double last year's total, and hopes to turn a profit for the first time in about seven years. Grain Producers South Australia chief executive Brad Perry says the state's harvest could reach about 13 million tonnes, well above the average of 9 million tonnes.
