As the country comes to grips with escalating conflict in the Middle East, growers across the region are bracing themselves and making necessary preparation ahead of the seeding season.
Fuel supply has been a major concern for many, with diesel prices soaring above $3 per litre and many growers experiencing troubles accessing it.
Some have waited up to four weeks for deliveries and numerous are still waiting.
Jamestown grower Tim Hall was one of those, taking matters into his own hands, repurposing chemical containers to secure fuel supplies with his spraying program ramping up following early moisture.
“The unknown of it all is the biggest concern, hence why I’m filling up containers myself,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with diesel prices, I’ve been watching it now for three weeks, and it’s just been going up.
“And it’s not just about the price, it’s about having actual fuel in your shed, knowing you’ve got something there to go on with.
“All I’m doing now is basically grabbing some extra fuel to have on hand, because we still haven’t got enough for the whole season, we probably only have a third of what we need for the season.”
Mr Hall said his fertiliser and chemical prices were locked in for this year but was expecting them to rise by next year.
“Maybe that’s something we could be looking at a bit closer, to try and secure already for next year.
“But, you know, I think the whole situation is just crazy.”
While external factors are not ideal, Mr Hall said seasonal conditions had been great and it was a polar opposite to the same last year.
“I think now we’ve got a good bit of moisture, you’re starting to get into the profile a little, it’s still a long way to go, but at least we’re going to have confidence going into this year,” he said.
Brinkworth grower Simon Goss is coming out of his two worst ever seasons in terms of seasonal conditions and said he felt lucky to have secured his fuel stocks which would be enough to get through seeding.
“In those years we overfertilised, so there’s plenty of nitrogen in the ground, and having all of this moisture to deal with is a good problem to have,” he said.
“We’re pretty confident in the stocks we have secured, that they will be available for the season but we’re not certain beyond that.
“Everyone’s low on confidence after a couple of poor years, especially west of the Clare Valley. Rainfall is our biggest issue but these recent external events certainly don’t help.”
Mintaro grower Lochie Sandow said he always spreads his risk early, acquiring urea stocks to have in the bank, which ended up being before the Iranian conflict escalated.
“In the short term it’s not looking too bad, but I’m a bit worried about where things will be in June and beyond,” he said.
“The local fertiliser merchant is doing the best he can, but it will be difficult to get product in.”
Mr Sandow said the price of diesel doubling threw his plans a curveball given it was typically an expense you could expect to remain relatively fixed.
“A few growers I know have bought all their diesel in one fell swoop after the conflict picked up, but I don’t know if they’re massively worried about that decision.
“The uncertainty around the situation and the way the media portrays things, whether it’s true or not, are factors and now it has become a supply issue, so it’s not a management decision.
“You can order diesel but whether you can secure it is out of your control.”
