Consistently high input costs and low margins mean anything less than four tonnes a hectare of wheat will return little profit for farmers in many NSW cropping areas.

One producer all too aware of the vagaries of winter cropping is Ben Kelly, “Goran Lake”, Spring Ridge, who has reaped significant returns by converting to downhill farming on his 800-hectare, undulating property almost 10 years ago.

This reduced the tendency for water pooling and washouts, delivering him three crops in four years.

But outside influences, like low commodity prices and high input costs – along with drier conditions – have forced a rethink.

Full story in The Land January 7.