Hail batters fruit

By Geoff Adams

Jan 8, 2024

The hail netting did its job in the New Year's Eve storm.

Damage to plums caused by the heavy hail.

Goulburn Valley orchards have been battered by a hailstorm just 12 months after the last major event.

The storm has ruined some apple and pear crops in the Tatura and Ardmona districts, which were maturing just prior to harvest.

Early indications from Fruit Growers Victoria are that between 500 and 1000 hectares of fruit was damaged in the Ardmona, Tatura and Merrigum areas on January 2.

One major Ardmona grower operating at multiple properties reported “a complete write-off” on some blocks.

The most susceptible properties appeared to be south of the Midland Highway.

The storm rendered some crops suitable only for juicing.

Fruit Growers Victoria grower services manager Michael Crisera said the storm hit only a year and a week after a similar storm, although last year’s was more severe.

He said the storm followed a similar strip including Tatura, Ardmona and Tatura East, but was not so severe in the Bunbartha area.

Most of the pome fruit damaged was destined for the fresh fruit market.

Mr Crisera said it was too early to put a figure on the damage but Fruit Growers Victoria was collecting reports to present to the state government.

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell called on the Victorian Government to provide assistance to affected growers.

“This is the second year in a row growers have sustained damage, and nothing was done to support them last year,” she said.

Ms Lovell said growers had invested heavily in the crops now maturing, and it was devastating to have such damage caused by one event.

Some growers have taken the opportunity to seek out a 50 per cent subsidy from the Victorian Government to install netting, but after several tough years with poor cash flow, many growers have been unable to muster the capital to invest.

The program, announced mid last year, provides for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to purchase and commercially install new horticultural netting (fixed and demountable), to a maximum of $150,000 .

The netting can also offer some protection against sunburn.

The storm has also delayed the harvesting of late broadacre crops and delayed the cutting of fodder crops including lucerne.

Farmers have been waiting for the ground to dry out since the Christmas Eve storm.

Weather plays havoc with lucerne

Rains on Christmas Eve and again on January 2 have meant a lucerne crop at Toolamba West will be downgraded.

Speaking to Country News on January 3, lucerne grower Shaun O’Shannessy said the wet weather was making it difficult to harvest his lucerne crop that is ready to cut.

Mr O’Shannessy has 20 hectares of lucerne ready to harvest, but at this stage he said it was “beginning to look like lavender as it is flowering so much”.

He estimates the crop is now 90 per cent flower, and he is now rethinking his ideal of cutting it into small square bales of hay.

“I might have to cut it and have fresh silage,” he said.

“Since Christmas, the ground has not been dry enough to cure the lucerne. It (the crop) will be downgraded. The protein drops off after maturity.”

Mr O’Shannessy said he had hoped for about 10mm from the January 2 storm, but recorded about 30mm on his farm.

Flood and storm warnings

On Monday, January 8, the Bureau of Meteorology issued minor flood warnings for the following streams, after weekend rain: the Broken River, Loddon River, Goulburn River and the Seven and Castle creeks.

A possible storm was forecast for Monday afternoon with the weather clearing later in the week.