Summer in Australia isn’t just about soaring temperatures — it’s also peak storm season. Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria are frequently hit with intense storms, often unleashing destructive hail that can devastate farms in minutes — leaves are shredded, vegetables bruised and entire fields are left in ruins.
With these devastating impacts extending far beyond the farm gate, farmers face massive financial losses and supply chain disruptions. However, the real challenge lies in the unpredictability of these storms. There are standard weather forecasts for agriculture, but they often lack the precision needed to anticipate these damaging storms at the farm level. Without early warnings and proactive strategies, farmers are left vulnerable to nature’s worst.
The real impact of hail on your crops
The effects of a hailstorm don’t end when the skies clear. Beyond the immediate damage, hail can create long-term challenges for crops, including increased susceptibility to disease. Hail also affects the marketability of vegetables. Bruised or scarred produce may not meet supermarket or export standards, forcing farmers to sell at lower prices or shift to processing markets like sauces and frozen goods. These financial losses can add up quickly.
Hail damage can stunt plant growth, reduce yields and delay harvests over time. Disruptions to planting schedules and supply chains can make recovery even more difficult. The good news is that with the right strategies, you can reduce the risk of hail damage and protect your crops.
How to protect your crops from hail damage
1. Install hail netting for physical protection
Hail netting is one of the most effective ways to minimise damage. These strong, lightweight nets absorb hail impact, protecting crops from bruising and breakage. Choosing UV-resistant, high-quality netting ensures durability, while proper tensioning prevents sagging under hail weight. Allowing airflow beneath the netting also helps maintain healthy plant growth. While there is an initial cost, hail netting offers long-term protection against severe crop losses.
Jane’s Weather is working with Agriculture Victoria and Hort Innovation on a new project to detect hail in radar scans, ensuring timely warnings to your farm to enable coverage of crops.
2. Strengthen crop resilience with smart agronomic practices
Healthy crops recover faster from hail damage. Implementing strong agronomic practices can build resilience and minimise losses.
- Optimise fertiliser timing — Strengthening plant structure ensures crops are as robust as possible before a storm hits. Applying fertiliser at the right growth stage helps plants withstand and recover from damage.
- Manage water wisely — Excess moisture stress weakens plants, making them more vulnerable. Using weather forecasting for agriculture to optimise irrigation schedules ensures crops receive the right amount of water at the right time.
- Diversify crops — Growing a variety of crops reduces overall risk and improves soil health. A well-balanced crop rotation system maintains nutrient-rich soil, supporting plant recovery after extreme weather events.
3. Apply protective sprays after a storm
Hail-damaged crops are vulnerable to fungal infections and secondary diseases. Applying protective sprays within 24 hours of the storm helps prevent infections and speeds up recovery. Choosing the right conditions for application ensures maximum effectiveness, while regular monitoring for signs of disease allows early intervention and minimises further losses. Check the Jane’s Weather Spraying forecast to find these windows of opportunity.
4. Adjust harvest and market strategies
Hail damage does not always mean total loss. Many vegetables, even if bruised or scarred, can still be sold in processing markets for sauces, soups and frozen goods. Farmers can also explore local markets where cosmetic imperfections matter less. Careful harvest planning helps farmers salvage the best quality produce and reduce financial losses.
5. Improve water resource management
Hailstorms can impact soil moisture and wash away nutrients. Monitoring rainfall predictions allows farmers to adjust irrigation schedules accordingly, preventing overwatering and improving plant health. Better water resource management helps crops recover but also contributes to long-term sustainability.
6. Use hyper-local rain forecasting for better sowing decisions
More accurate sowing decisions can help farmers when protecting crops from extreme weather events in Australia. Hyper-local rain forecasting provides precise data to determine the best planting windows, reducing risk and optimising yields. This ensures crops are planted at the right time while conserving water and other valuable resources.
7. Get ahead with AI-powered weather forecasting for agriculture
Timing is everything when it comes to hail protection. The earlier you know a storm is approaching, the more time you have to prepare. A weather forecast for agriculture needs to be accurate and localised to help farmers act fast.
Jane’s Weather AI Forecast provides hyper-local, highly accurate forecasts tailored to your farm. It collects real-time data from global weather models and local stations, uses machine learning to analyse historical trends and delivers easy-to-read insights to help you make informed decisions.
Stay one step ahead of the weather
Hailstorms can be unpredictable, but your response does not have to be. With the right strategies, you can reduce damage and protect your farm’s future. AI-powered forecasts, physical crop protection, resilient agronomic practices and smart post-storm recovery strategies all play a role in keeping crops safe.
Know how Jane’s Weather AI Forecast can help agriculture with accurate, hyper-local insights that provide you with the information you need to act fast and make the right decisions. Learn more about our AI-powered weather forecasting for agriculture today.
