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Extended dry puts pressure on summer crops in Australia
Australia
December 5, 2006

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.

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