Cropping

Cropping

 

Cropping Industry Overview

  • South West Victoria has a predictable climate and relatively fertile soils (although generally acidic).  Average annual rainfall varies from 550-900 mm and the growing season is about 6.5-9 months. Soils in the region are quite fertile and vary from clay-loams on the basalt plains that can be subject to seasonal waterlogging, to undulating loamy soils and steep hills.

  • Low soil temperatures and waterlogging in the winter, lack of soil moisture in the summer months and an unreliable autumn break are the main limits to pasture growth.

  • The Lower South West region is dominated by mixed farming enterprises (cropping and livestock) with dairy thepredominant grazing industry closer to the coast.  These grazing industries account for about 67% of the land use.

  • Over the last 15 years (mid 90’s to now) the cropping area has increased from about 100,000ha to 500,000ha and raised beds make up around 10% of the area cropped.  Winter waterlogging is the biggest constraint to crop production. Common crops include barley, wheat, canola and oats. There were a number of factors that stimulated the increase in cropping in the south-west. 

  • There had been a steady increase in the land sown to hardwood (mainly blue gum) and softwood (pine) plantations with the emergence of managed investment schemes (MIS) up until the collapse of major MIS businesses in 2009.  Currentlyin the lower south-west there are about 140,000 ha of harvestable forestry plantations of which 82,000 ha are in the Glenelg shire. However, early trends are suggesting a growing reversal of land use away from plantations and back to grazing.

Grains and Crops

  • Some grains and crops grown in the south west of Victoria include:

    • Barley: Used for stock feed, malt, and culinary purposes 

    • Canola: A profitable crop that adds diversity to cropping rotations 

    • Oats: A common crop in the south west 

    • Wheat: The foundation of winter crop production in Victoria 

    • Rye: Used for multi-grain and crisp breads 

    • Triticale: A cereal crop that combines the quality and high yield potential of wheat with rye 


Additional Information.

Biosecurity, Agriculture Victoria: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity

Farm safety, Victorian Farmers Federation: https://www.vff.org.au/fact-sheet-category/farm-safety/

Farm management, Agriculture Victoria: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management

Climate and weather, Agriculture Victoria: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather

Food and Fibre Great South Coast acknowledges that much of the material presented in this profile and the links are general in nature. If you have a specific question related to the Great South Coast please email info@foodfibregsc.com.au and we will provide a response either by return email or phone call.