Australian Oilseeds Federation - Crop Report April 2005

Sunflowers 2004/05

The poor finish to the season and continued dry conditions in Central Queensland has seen sunflower
production estimates revised down by around 10%. The crop is expected to be approximately 70% mono type, 8% confectionary/birdseed type and the balance poly type.

Central Queensland did not receive sufficient rain to enable the anticipated area to be planted. Conditions
continue to be dry and this is impacting yield potential. The southern Downs crops have also suffered due to the
continued dry weather, with yields reducing. Harvest is underway.

Hot dry conditions are also continuing in northern NSW, with no rain in sight. As a result, yields for dryland crops
will be below average at around 0.8-1.0t/ha. However some irrigated crops west of Moree will boost the yield average, with yield potential around 3.0t/ha. Crops are currently at physiological maturity.

Similarly conditions on the Liverpool Plains have continued to be hot and dry and crops have been
suffering from moisture stress for some time reducing the yield potential. Many of the later sown crops were double cropped into cereal stubble following a very wet December where many places received 6-9 inches of rain.
The average yield for the district is likely to be in the order of 1.8t/ha, however rain in the next week to 10
days would boost the potential of the later sown crops. Crop stages are from between physiological maturity to
late budding. At this stage insect pressure has not been very high, although a number of crops have been sprayed for Rutherglen bugs. There is quite a high number of whitefly present in crops.

Soybeans 2004/05

The adverse finish to the season has seen a further reduction in production estimates, by around 10%. This
should see just less than 60,000 tonnes produced.

Continuing dry conditions in Queensland has seen further reduction in harvested acreage as beans are cut for hay or used as green manure crops. The greatest impact on yields has been through the Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys and the Downs region.

The North Coast region of NSW was set for an excellent season, however, significant rainfall on the verge of
harvest may impact yields. Some beans have been harvested and are generally of good quality, albeit size is
slightly small. Harvest in northern slopes and tablelands region is still 3-4 weeks away and while the irrigated
crops will yield generally above average, the dryland crop has deteriorated rapidly over the past 2-3 weeks. Crops
in the Riverina are still looking good, with the exception of small areas lost for water logging. The early varieties
have been harvested and quality has generally been good.