Australian Oilseeds Federation - Crop Report February 2005

Canola 2004/05

Our final estimates for 2004/05 show that the crop was better than expected. Yields have been upgraded in all states, although the greatest increases have occurred in Victoria and NSW. While we have left area planted unchanged, it would appear that the area planted in these have been under estimated. The average yield across Australia is estimated at around 1.2-1.3 tonnes per hectare (adjusting for NSW & Victoria), which was better than expected given the difficult seasonal conditions.

Sunflowers 2004/05

The sunflower estimates have been revised upward slightly (around 5%), largely due to improved yield prospects. Total production is expected to be just over 73,000 tonnes with about 60% of the crop of monounsaturated type.

Central Queensland has just commenced planting. Soil moisture is mostly marginal to average, so follow-up rain will be needed for decent crops and before final estimates can be determined. The southern Queensland crop has been impacted by hot and dry weather conditions.

Harvest of the early crop in northern NSW has commenced, with yields ranging from 1t/ha to 2.8t/ha. This could see an average yield of around 1.8 t/ha. There have been some delays to harvest due to slow dry down of some crops. The late-planted crop has been sown on good moisture profiles, however, January has been hot and dry for most of the region. Patchy rain between 12 and 75mm has been received with the heavier falls west of Moree and the eastern regions only receiving showers. These late season crops require rain now in the order of 50-100mm. Maturity ranges from 2 leaf to 12 leaf.

The Liverpool Plains crop is slightly later, with harvest just beginning. The earliest of the irrigated crops are yielding on average 2.2t/ha and overall yield prospects look favourable.

The late sown crop is variable in growth stages. The mid December plant is late bud to early flower. At this stage the crop looks to have excellent potential. However, the crops have suffered under very hot conditions during January, but have excellent subsoil moisture from widespread rains in the order of 100 – 150mm in early
December and good follow-up falls over Christmas of around 50mm. In the last week storm events have provided welcome relief ranging from 15 – 40mm, although this has been extremely patchy.

Soybeans 2004/05

Estimates for 2004/05 soybean crop have increased slightly, largely due to upgraded yield potential in the North Coast NSW region. This should see production of around 71,500 tonnes. The area planted is predominantly light hilum types.

The Queensland crop is looking reasonable although conditions have been variable with hot dry conditions in some areas. As mentioned the north coast of NSW is experiencing excellent conditions. Crops are at the flowering to podding stage and there has been little incidence of insects. The inland dryland areas of NSW have experienced variable conditions, with hot dry weather in some areas. Crops in Victoria look excellent and generally across southern NSW/Riverina crops are looking reasonable.