Fodder frenzy

While rain was falling on some parts of drought-stricken Queensland last week, the Houstons were lucky to empty 14 millimetres from their gauge. Garry Houston said the reality of a drier than average summer, with bare cotton fields, was fast sinking in.

He said Terriadi received its last decent fall of rain (100mm) at the start of cotton picking in early April.

"Last year we grew dryland barley and baled the straw afterwards," he said.

"We thought holding the water for this year's cotton crop would potentially lose too much evaporation, so we opted to grow 200ha of irrigated wheat instead before we lost it [the water]."

Though disappointed to receive 3.75 tonnes/hectare yield for the wheat, things stacked up for the father-son duo, as their 750 bales of straw virtually sold before the header comb began spinning through the crop.

"I guess considering the season, the crop was a sort of an opportune crop, because we had water left over," Mr Houston said.

"We didn't have to waste it and it gave us a few silos full of wheat.

"We baled the hay and with the dry conditions, the neighbours were lining up to grab it.

"Not having any stock myself, I was just really happy to give it to the neighbours who approached me."

Mr Houston sold most of the hay to three-out-of-five of his neighbours, with the rest of it trucked south or stored temporarily for family near Bingara, NSW.

Mr Houston estimated he sold the straw at about $20 below market price, but was happy it was going to a good home.

Feed Central Charlton branch manager Neville Janke said that the current market was fetching $120 to $140/tonne for straw.

"It's always traditional that after Christmas and heading into the new year you will see an increase in the price," he said.

"If we see a lot of good rain, it may hold prices fairly stable. But there is always a demand for roughage."

With son James returning eight months ago to work on the property between pursuing a career in aviation mechanics, Mr Houston said he was glad to have some help while he could still afford to employ him.

"I have plenty of maintenance jobs to do over summer, but not sure with the economics whether I should be rushing or can afford to rush out and do them."

Mr Houston said that despite the tough time the industry is facing, the satisfaction he got from working in agriculture was well worth it.

"I've never wanted to do anything except this since leaving school. It can be hard, but it can be rewarding.

"Most times it's non-financial rewards.

"I think, looking forward, there may unfortunately be a greater emphasis on the business side of things rather than the non-financial rewards - maybe I'm a dying breed."