AGRICULTURE NEWS - Winter grain producers in the Southern Cape urgently need follow-up rain to ensure a good 2019 winter grain harvest.

In the Overberg region, grain was still in a relatively good condition during the first week of September, but follow-up rain was vital, according to a Grain SA survey.

August was characterised by hot and dry conditions, placing grain under immense pressure.

Wheat fields were worst affected, barley slightly less so, while the condition of canola varied markedly due to the sporadic rain that occurred in the Overberg region.

Areas such as the Tygerhoek and Klipdale districts were particularly hard hit, the survey found.

Weather patterns in the Swartland had been erratic so far this season, and the lack of soil moisture together with very high temperatures was a major cause of concern as wheat was in the flowering phase.

This made the grain extremely sensitive to high temperatures and a lack of moisture, according to the survey.

Read the full article here on the Caxton publication, Farmer's Weekly.