Australia - Murray River flooding persists with grape, citrus growers facing uncertainty over harvest

09.12.2022 915 views

Three quarters of Roberto Fuoco's table grape property in north-west Victoria is underwater and more rain is expected in the coming days.

The harvest at his Nichols Point property would usually begin in February, but at this stage it's unclear if any of his fruit could be picked. 

The situation was probably not helped by the fact the only way he could get around his vines was via canoe.  

Mr Fuoco expected crop losses and redevelopment costs on his property to add up to millions of dollars. 

The Australian Table Grape Association's industry development manager Jenny Treeby said hundreds of hectares of crop was under threat.

"There are two different types of growers, ones that have built levees, they are going to be worrying for a long time about whether they'll break or not," Ms Treeby said

"Then there's a smaller number of growers that are fully inundated."

Ms Treeby said it was unclear what kind of impact the flooding would have on vine health and grape production.

"Most of the science we can access has only been for vines that have been inundated for up to six weeks, this will be much longer," she said.

Thousands of hectares impacted

The latest figures from Agriculture Victoria shows more than 498,629 hectares of farmland had been flood affected.

There's been 15,662 livestock deaths reported and almost 12,000 kilometres of damaged fencing.

Rural Financial Counsellors are helping flood-affected farmers apply for grants, loans and subsidies.

Further downstream in New South Wales, flooding was also affecting John Waters's eight hectares of citrus.

"I can't even do anything on the property because there's water through everything. If there's disease control or anything it can't be done unless you bring in an aerial sprayer," he said.

The flood peak has been revised several times and was now not expected to arrive until later this month.

That means Mr Waters would need to continue accessing his property by boat for several weeks.

"When the floods come up here, they stay around for a long time, so it will be months before I can get back in the orchard again," Mr Waters said.

Authorities predict the Murray River at Mildura will peak between December 15 and 17.

Source - https://www.abc.net.au

04.06.2026

India - Delhi raises crop damage compensation after 10 years by over 50% to Rs 75,000 per hectare

In a major relief for farmers, the Delhi government has increased compensation for crop loss caused by rain and hailstorms from Rs 20,000 per acre to Rs 75,000 per hectare.

04.06.2026

Why Tech-Driven Agro-Insurance Has Stumbled in Ethiopia

For decades, Ethiopia’s agricultural sector has remained trapped in a dangerous paradox. 

04.06.2026

UK - Rural crime cost Wales £2.2m last year despite fall in offences

Rural crime cost Wales an estimated £2.2 million last year, with organised criminals continuing to target tractors, livestock and farming equipment despite an overall fall in offences, according to a new report.

04.06.2026

Kenyan Agro-Insurance Startup, Pula Raises US$ 20 Million in Series B Round

Pula, a Kenyan startup that offers insurance to small-scale farmers, aims to serve more than 100 million farmers in Africa after raising US$ 20 million in its Series B round. 

04.06.2026

USA - USDA announces $52M to boost public access to private lands for hunting, fishing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing $52 million to help state and tribal governments encourage private landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). 

04.06.2026

Hope Grows in Malawi’s Grain Stores as Farmers Battle Post-Harvest Losses

Some grain rots in poorly ventilated storage. Some is eaten by pests. Some is damaged during drying or transportation before it ever reaches the market.

03.06.2026

Canada - AFSC extends several northern Alberta seeding dates for 2026

Alberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corp. (AFSC) is extending the recommended seeding dates in the province’s northeast, northwest and Peace regions for several crops for the 2026 growing season only.

03.06.2026

India - Elephants run amok in Konaje agricultural farm, cause massive crop damage

A herd of elephants, including calves, wreaked havoc on an agricultural farm belonging to Yashodhara Gowda at Pallattadka in Konaje village of Kadaba taluk.