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ABARE’s latest Australian Crop Report reveals: hot conditions provide mixed outlook for summer crops
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.

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