STRONG seed prices and generally above average yields at harvest are bringing a bright end to an "unusual" season for lucerne seed producers in the South East.
The majority of crops, both dryland and irrigated, near the major growing area of Keith were harvested two to three weeks earlier than usual, with above average yields reported, thanks to a dry summer and favourable seed setting stage.
Yields further south have been a mixed bag thus far, with some crops near Naracoorte negatively impacted by summer rainfall, wind and storms close to harvest.
Lucerne Australia chairperson and Cox Rural agronomist Scott Hutchings, Keith, said yields had generally been in the 600 kilogram to 800kg range, with the usual variation across different seed varieties.
In a sector that can be "boom or bust" due to its reliance on export markets, he said prices were "considerably above long-term averages".
"Generally through the Upper South East we had a very favourable seed-setting stage for lucerne," Mr Hutchings said.
"We had a relatively warm summer, but without extreme temperatures.
"It was a bit of an unusual season in that we had dry but humid conditions caused by rain to the north.
"Our crops generally set seed very well and there weren't many summer weeds due to low rainfall from November through to the end of January."
Mr Hutchings said rainfall events had upset the seed setting process for crops near Naracoorte, with further rain about a month ago having a detrimental affect on harvest and causing seed loss and sprouting in some later crops.
"Crops harvested before that stage were very good and had good quality seed," he said.
"After that stage, things varied depending on how much rain individual growers had."
The area locked up for lucerne seed production has been relatively low in recent years, according to Mr Hutchings - about 14,000 hectares down from highs of 25,000ha - with high livestock prices and dry summers having an impact on the area of dryland production in particular.
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At Binnum, between Frances and Kybybolite, lucerne seed grower and contract harvester Nick Mueller is expecting yields to be in line with long-term averages, despite the prospect of high clean outs caused by late rain.
"The cleanout is going to be pretty high because there is a lot of brown seed from the summer rainfall we've had," he said.
"The crops were about ready the other week, waters were being turned off and people were ready to let them die down a bit, and then the area had anywhere from 40 to 100 millimetres of rain.
"Some of the worst-affected crops would be having 30 per cent cleanouts, whereas last year we only had 7-10pc cleanouts."
Mr Mueller grows up to 120ha of Siriver lucerne seed under pivots at Binnum and Hynam and contract harvests seed for other growers in the region.
He said while some crops had been knocked about by the late rain, the crops that were still receiving their final water at the time might have escaped too much damage.
"I'd typically harvest between eight and 10 pivots a year for various people," Mr Mueller said.
"There has been mixed results because we got a week or two of really hot weather and wind that knocked off a lot of flower.
"Most crops I've harvested have yielded between 400-700kg/ha and I've heard of a few reaching 900kg to a tonne.
"Yields have been a bit all over the shop and they fluctuate depending on variety too."
The Muellers sell their seed through Naracoorte Seeds and Mr Mueller said prices were hovering about the $7/kg mark.
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