Recent blustering winds have taken their toll on some growers' crops in Western Australia's Gascoyne region. At Calypso Plantation in Carnarvon, mangoes are littered beneath the trees and are starting to rot on the ground. Owner Eddie Smith grows six varieties but says it's his R2E2s which have taken the hardest hit with the weather.

Mr Smith says while winds are common in Carnarvon at this time of year, his trees were particularly affected due to ongoing dry spell stress this season.

At this time last year, Carnarvon growers were on an alternate-day watering regime and for most of this year they have been capped at 80 per cent of their usual water allocation. Mr Smith says he fears with summer around the corner, the wind damage may be about to be compounded by heat.

Carnarvon has one of Australia's latest mango producing seasons, with most growers in the region picking around or just after Christmas.

Mr Smith says, despite the weather conditions, he's hopeful that they will pick in about six weeks time.

The WA Government is continuing with its multi-million-dollar Gascoyne Food Bowl plan, which aims to significantly expand horticulture around Carnarvon. As part of plans to open up 400 additional hectares for food production, the state government has been looking for additional water to support that land. A campaign in the northern borefield has seen 45 exploratory holes drilled so far, with seven likely to be considered production-worthy.

It's not just mango growers, such as Eddie Smith, whose crops need the water at the moment. Grapes and watermelons are currently being picked and bananas production is year-round.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/