Frost Causes Some Damage To WA Wheat

Wheat in Western Australia suffered some damage at the end of September when temperatures dipped to a unseasonably cold -3 degrees, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The department's David Bowran says that this year's harvest will be worth about A$3 billion.

"We've seen certainly examples of severe stem frost occurring for a few people," he said.

"We've heard some examples of head frost, particularly with wheat crops that were coming out with ear or flowering at about that time.

"So it does suggest that there are going to be some pretty severe impacts."

Mr Bowran says that despite the frost damage, growers are expected to produce 11 million tonnes of grain.

That would equal 2003's record output for the state, which typically accounts for 40-45% of national production. A crop of 11mmt would likely equate to 50% or more of national output this year.