ABARE’s December
issue of the Australian Crop Report reveals that total
winter crop production is estimated to have fallen by 62 per
cent from last season, while summer crop production is forecast
to fall by 33 per cent, as dry conditions continue.
‘It was the driest August to October period
since 1900 across many cropping regions of Australia. When
combined with some of the highest mean maximum temperatures on
record, this resulted in a significant decline in winter crop
production and has placed summer crops in an uncertain
position,’ ABARE Executive Director Mr Phillip Glyde explained
when releasing the report today.
Wheat production in 2006-07 is estimated to have
declined by around 61 per cent to 9.7 million tonnes, while
barley production is estimated to have fallen to around 3.7
million tonnes, a 63 per cent drop from the previous season.
Canola production is also estimated to be down to around 426 000
tonnes, a 71 per cent drop from last season.
Total summer crop area is forecast to decline by
25 per cent to 1.2 million hectares in 2006-07. In southern
Queensland, northern New South Wales and the Riverina, below
average winter and spring rainfall has depleted soil moisture
profiles and water storage levels, severely limiting summer crop
production prospects, particularly for rice and cotton.
The total area planted to grain sorghum is
forecast to be 802 000 hectares in 2006-07, 10 per cent less
than the record area sown last year.
‘Subsoil moisture will need to be replenished
before significant areas can be planted with confidence,’ Mr
Glyde noted.
The lack of irrigation water for rice growing in
2006-07 means the area planted to rice is estimated to be only
20 000 hectares – 81 per cent below the area planted last year.
The area sown to cotton is forecast to be the smallest in 20
years.
The impact of the dry season on livestock feed
availability was surveyed in October and November 2006 as part
ABARE’s broadacre farm survey.
‘Grain and fodder stocks held on farm will
assume increased importance for farmers in feeding livestock
until autumn 2007,’ Mr Glyde said.
For free downloads of the report December issue
of the Australian Crop Report, please visit the ABARE web
site
www.abareconomics.com or phone Publications on 02 6272 2010.