Poppy growers celebrating a multi-million dollar rain

The Easterly rain pattern that began late last week is estimated to have added millions of dollars to the farming community.The head of Tasmania's poppy growers, Lyndley Chopping says the rain has saved many crops from imminent failure, and he's predicting the rain is worth up to $10 million for his industry alone.Many poppy crops are now on the point of flowering, and the rain will not only carry them through to harvest, but Lyndley Chopping says the rain will also boost the pharmaceutical quality of the crop."Some crops will now make it."There's been quite a few that haven't and there are some that were right in the balance and this will make them make the grade now, and we're absolutely delighted about that."Mr Chopping says while the financial benefit will flow through rural towns, it's impossible to value the boost to morale."Tails are up, it's turned things around about 180 degrees."
In this report: Lyndley Chopping, president of the Tasmanian Poppy Growers