Fears for growers' income if boggy ground prevents maize planting

Soggy ground conditions have left arable growers on the East Coast struggling to get maize in the ground.

Normally, all of the maize would be planted by now but ongoing wet weather means only 50 percent has been planted.

Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett said since Cyclone Gabrielle hit in February the ground hasn't really dried out.

"It's too boggy so you can't get machinery on the paddocks to get the maize in.

"There's a window to plant maize and that's quickly closing. Growers need to get it in the ground by mid- December or by Christmas at the latest, but the later you plant the more yield you lose from the crop."

Birkett said the consequences of not planting were significant as there could be feed shortages next winter.

"Growers can't really plant any other arable groups, if they can't get the maize in some growers might plant winter feed crops for livestock but that's not as profitable.

"These growers didn't make money last season because Cyclone Gabrielle wiped out their crops and now they're facing a second season with little to no return."

The financial impact was drastic. Growers might do one hard year but when it became two successive years of losses it began to hurt, he said.

"It's important those farmers know that we're thinking of them and if there is anything we can help with they should reach out to Federated Farmers or to their neighbours for a chat."