News
15.01.2010
Australia. Heatwave cuts Victoria's wheat crop yield
South-west Victorian farmers say the unusual spell of hot weather at the start of November has cut their wheat harvests.
Agricultural experts had forecast a bumper wheat crop after good rains in early spring.
But John Herrmann, who grows wheat, canola and barley near Hamilton, says his harvest is about one-third smaller than expected.
He says other farmers in the district have also had smaller than expected yields, and the November heat is to blame.
"It was an interesting year actually, we had quite a wet winter, followed by a dry period in spring," he said.
"And then we got a lot of hot weather on grain fill, which has probably caused all of our crops to not yield to their potential."
ABC
