Queensland farmer spends $800,000 carting water as drought ravages key salad-bowl regions

A horror summer season has seen fruit and vegetable growers in Queensland go to extraordinary lengths to grow crops.

Tomato and capsicum farmer Tim Carnell has 
spent $800,000 carting water for his crops. 

Currently 65.2 per cent of the state is drought-declared, which includes some of the state's key horticultural areas. 

Farmers in the Granite Belt have told the ABC this drought is their "worst in living memory". 

The region produces up to $350 million of fruit and vegetables every year, but this year that has been at risk with the area running out of water.

It forced one farmer, Tim Carnell, to spend more than $800,000 carting water to ensure he got a crop of tomatoes and capsicums. 

Read the ABC News story from the Queensland Country Hour - “Queensland farmer spends $800,000 carting water as drought ravages key salad-bowl regions.”

Fruit feels the burn

Extra expenses are falling on fruit and vegetable growers as sweltering conditions continue to hit the region.

GV Crop Protection field representative Paul Christie said crops were struggling under the hot conditions.

‘‘With the tree crops, how bad the crops are depends on the condition of the trees,’’ he said.

‘‘All vegetable crops are wilting with the heat.

‘‘This is forcing growers to purchase sunscreen products, but if they are in the sun for a string of 40°C, they aren’t going to survive very well.’’

While sunburn is an issue, Mr Christie said pests also were more prevalent during hot conditions.

‘‘Mites, mealybug and codling moth are our most common pests and they breed quicker than normal in this heat,’’ he said.

Story from Country News in The Shepparton News - “Fruit feels the burn.”