February 14, 2006
Australia’s summer crop is
forecast to increase by 21 per cent to around 4.8 million tonnes
in 2005-06, reflecting above average rainfall in October and
November throughout parts of Queensland and northern New South
Wales,
ABARE’s latest
Australian Crop Report reveals.
The February issue of the
Australian Crop Report was released today by ABARE’s Deputy
Executive Director, Ms Karen Schneider.
‘After a shaky start to the season
in the eastern states and South Australia, good rainfall and
mild spring temperatures across the majority of growing regions
provided an ideal finish to the winter cropping season, with
final crop production the second largest on record,’ noted Ms
Schneider.
Total winter crop production is
estimated to be around 40.6 million tonnes in 2005-06, up by
around 15 per cent from the previous season. Total wheat
production is estimated to have increased to 25 million tonnes
and barley to 9.9 million tonnes. In contrast, canola production
is estimated to have declined to 1.4 million tonnes following a
late dry start to the season.
‘There has been an increase in
plantings of grain sorghum, cotton and rice as a result of
improved seasonal conditions and increased water availability.
The area sown to summer crops is estimated to be 13 per cent
higher than in 2004-05, reflecting a larger area sown in both
northern New South Wales and southern Queensland,’ Ms Schneider
said.
The area planted to grain sorghum
is estimated to increase to 889 000 hectares, with production
forecast to increase to 2.3 million tonnes in 2005-06.
Cottonseed and cotton lint production in 2005-06 are forecast at
819 000 tonnes and 578 000 tonnes respectively.
‘High temperatures and lack of
rainfall following the new year period caused earlier
expectations for sorghum production to be lowered, particularly
in northern New South Wales and central Queensland,’ concluded
Ms Schneider.
Above average spring rainfall and
increased water availability in southern New South Wales has led
to rice plantings more than doubling to 105 000 hectares in
2005-06. Provided hot growing conditions continue, total rice
production is forecast to reach 1 million tonnes. |