Australian Oilseeds Federation - Crop Report May 2005 (excerpts)

Sunflowers 2004/05

The sunflower crop has been further impacted by dry conditions.

Central Queensland did not receive enough planting rain to reach anticipated mono and poly plantings. The
Southern Downs crops have also suffered due to the continual dry weather. Harvest is about 25% complete.

The early plant Nth NSW crop harvest is complete with yields as expected. The late harvest is underway in both
northern NSW and the Liverpool Plains. Yields for dryland crops east of Moree are expected to average 1.2 t/ha,
while irrigated crop west of Moree should be around 2.2 t/ha. On the Liverpool Plains, yields are expected to
average around 1.9 t/ha.Soybeans 2004/05

Soybeans 2004/05

The soybean crop has been impacted by the continued dry conditions and estimates have been revised down by
around 7% to 55,000 tonnes.

There has been little change in Queensland with the exception of some crops in the western Downs that will
not be harvested. In NSW, the harvest on the North Coast is 80% complete and yields on track to average 2.5 t/ha.

For the tablelands, yield estimates have declined overall since last month. Harvest has only just begun on Liverpool Plains where crops are reasonable. Harvest is less than 50% complete in the north west region and yields have been disappointing under irrigation where yield forecasts have fallen from 2.8-3.0 t/ha back to 2.2 - 2.5 t/ha. Seed size is smaller than normal in most cases. On the northwest slopes and plains, a significant proportion of the dryland crop has been grazed, baled or made into silage. Harvest is about 75% complete in this region.

Canola 2004/05

Western Australia receives good planting rain, but the potential area falls in the eastern states.

New South Wales estimates have been reduced significantly due to the prolonged drought, with further potential downside if rain is not received in the next two weeks. Much of the area planted to date has been sown dry or into very marginal moisture. Area in the north has fallen due to last season’s results, low prices and lack of sowing opportunities. In the central west and south-west there is virtually no subsoil moisture, with a few exceptions. In the south-west slopes growers would like to sow canola to maintain rotations, but lack subsoil moisture. Area to the west of the Newell Highway is expected to reduce substantially if there is no rain in the next week or so. However, to keep the season in perspective with last year, the break in 2004 did not come until late May-early June along the slopes and many growers were still able to achieve reasonable yields. As with many seasons, the finishing conditions are going to be critical to achieving satisfactory crops.

Estimates in Victoria have been revised down and will fall greatly if rain is not recieved in the next two weeks. Most of the canola is grown in higher rainfall areas and thus, there is still time for planting to occur. With no break yet in the Western districts, dry sowing is starting to commence. Slugs could be a concern as February rain
would have allowed hatching and a lifecycle to complete. In the Wimmera, there has been some dry sowing of
canola, however, growers are being cautious. Estimates have been reduced slightly, with the picture becoming
clearer in the next three weeks. The Mallee is fast running out of time to plant and thus, area has reduced
significantly in this region. The North East and North Central regions are experiencing similar conditions to the
Wimmera and a clearer picture will emerge in the next few weeks.

Estimates in South Australia have been reduced slightly, but will drop quickly if there is no rain through May. Some crop has been dry sown.

The season has broken perfectly across Western Australia for canola plantings with significant rains during the first week of April, then the proper break of season in the first week of May. There was some planting of canola on the April rains,but mainly confined to the Northern and Eastern cropping areas. However, the May rains have seen additional planting in the Esperance area and parts of the Great Southern region. The current area planted would be approximately 85% complete. With the good rains, yield expectations have also increased. The estimated plantings upper range of 450,000 hectares represents an increase of 25,000 hectares in area from last year, and early production estimates predict the crop at 500,000-550,000 tonnes.