SA: Farmers feeling the heat

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2009
SA: Farmers feeling the heat

By Larine Statham

ADELAIDE, Feb 2 AAP - Grape growers are watching their income shrivel right before
their eyes, with some losing up to 70 per cent of this season's harvest in South Australia's
ongoing heatwave, the state Farmer's Federation says.

Farmers have been desperately trying to get enough water on their crops and shade their
stock during six straight days of temperatures above 40 degrees celsius.

"We're seeing reports that as much as 70 per cent of some fruit has been damaged by
the sun," federation president Peter White said.

"I was told the other day by one (grower) that you can actually see the fruit, the
juice start to boil inside it and then it just shrivels up."

Mr White said the scenario was ironic given that in December an increase in rain prompted
growers to expect that at the end of the season they would be left with a surplus of grapes.

"There was concern that there would be half a million tonnes of grapes this year that
they couldn't find a home for ... and we were predicting as much as 30 to 40 per cent
would be left on the vines," he said.

"I think Mother Nature has dealt a bit of a hand and sorted that out.

"Until we actually see the vintage and the grapes come off, we're not going to know
the full extent of the damage."

Mr White said while the sweltering temperatures had killed off some grapes entirely,
the quality of others that survived the six consecutive 40-plus degree days would almost
certainly mean the price being paid for those grapes would drop.

Mr White said some growers would bring their harvest forward to prevent grapes over-ripening.

"But some regions and varieties manage the heat better than others," he said.

It is understood some sheep and cattle across the state have died as a result of the hot weather.

"It's a bit like human beings - the fit ones and healthy ones can put up with a fair
bit," Mr White said, adding that a lack of water and feed for stock had impacted on their
ability to survive the conditions.

"Certainly though, most producers try to do whatever they can to minimise the impact
on their animals and it's in their own best interest to do so."

AAP lcs/apm

KEYWORD: HEAT SA FARMERS

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