THERE is some exceptional hay being produced in the Murraylands this year.
Palmer farmer Steen Paech started cutting for hay three weeks ago, just after the massive storm that wreaked havoc across SA.
“I was fortunate not to have any hay on the ground before that big rain came through,” he said.
“Since the storm, I haven’t been held up too much.
“I’ve never seen the yields on hay any better, and the quality has been good as well.
“It’s been going up to 10 tonnes a hectare.
“Considering we’re sitting just above our average rainfall, the yields are pretty amazing.”
While the Palmer district hasn’t had the extremely wet season other areas have had, the rain has fallen at just the right time.
“It hasn’t been too wet here, we’ve just had well-timed rains,” he said.
Mr Paech’s main hay crop is oats, with most kept on-farm for sheep feed.
He also contract bales.