Frost and dry conditions have combined to affect yield, both quality and quantity.

Current prices are providing little salvation either.

Those dry conditions started canola harvest at least a fortnight earlier than the traditional November 18 start, noted Lachlan Fertilizers Rural agronomist Neale Coutanche.

And with receivals rolling in, there was little of the traditional harvest panic, he said, but a steady attitude of just trying to get on with the job as best as people can.

Yields are down to half tonne per hectare and some would struggle to make the minimum oil content standard, he said.

Some are baling it, and some growers have been able to utilise the canola for grazing, Mr Coutanche said, giving them an opportunity out of the current situation.

“Its very disappointing, as prices continue to roll downwards.”

Elders Watt Robinson Agronomist Peter Watt echoed many of Mr Coutanche’s observations, pointing out lower valley floors around Greenethorpe and Back Creek were severely hurt by frost.

Initial appearances had been deceptive, he said, with crops looking much better than what they were actually yielding.

He said some growers had switched to mustard, a hardier plant, “particularly in tight finishes” and with contracted prices.

Rob Pearce, five kilometres south of Canowindra was past the half way mark of harvesting his own canola, while juggling contract harvesting across the area.

He was happy with how his canola performed, especially considering the conditions.

“It’s yielding about 1.5 tonne to the hectare, which is not far off what we would get in a normal year,” Mr Pearce said.

He said his contract work across the area highlighted where some struggled with the conditions, others had been lucky and fared much better.

“For example, normally the drive north from Canowindra to Cudal looks beautiful at this time of the year but it’s a different story this year. Most of it is pretty dry.”

Those variations across the district were also leaving their mark on the wheat harvest.

Already well started further west near Eugowra, Mr Pearce was starting his own paddocks on Monday, with Cowra agronomist tipping the bulk of producers would be well into swing within a fortnight.