Australia
February 21, 2007
Source:
Australian Oilseeds
Federation
Sunflowers 2006/07
There
has been little change to the sunflower estimates from last
month. Some of the early crop did not yield to earlier
predictions, with tonnage down slightly and late crop estimates
for NSW have been revised back slightly. While rain has been
received in Central Queensland, the sunflower area is yet to be
planted.
Harvesting around Moree is 90%
finished, with yields in the range of 0.7-1.3t.ha, averaging
1.0t/ha. Oils are ranging between 35.5 – 41.5%, with an average
around 38%. Moisture stress has reduced the yields at Narrabri
to around 0.75 – 1.0t/ha, with generally growers spending less
money on the crop this season. However a reduced incidence of
Rutherglen bugs was noted.
There is a very small late plant
in northern NSW comprising a few irrigated crops and the odd
dryland crop which happened to be under a storm. The lack of
stored soil moisture in the profile combined with sporadic storm
rainfall resulted in very limited opportunities for a late
plant.
The early plant on the Liverpool
Plains is rapidly approaching harvest, with some harvesting
underway. Yields are again disappointing this season due to the
lack of rainfall over the growing season. Averages are likely to
be in the range of 1.0 - 1.2t/ha.
The potential late plant in
Central Queensland is still uncertain. Central Queensland has
received good rain (100-120mm), however, strong sorghum prices
will provide competition for sunflowers. It is estimated that
there could be 20,000 plus hectares of sunflowers planted,
mostly mono-unsaturated type.
Cottonseed 2006/07
Estimates have been revised down
for the cotton crop to less than 1 million bales. All areas are
short of water. Cottonseed production is estimated at around
350-380,000 tonnes. The bulk of this is expected to be used as
whole seed for feed or exported.
Soybeans 2006/07
Estimates
for the soybean crop have been revised up slightly, allowing for
previously unaccounted area of organic production.
The Queensland crop is pretty much
unchanged from last month, with exception of area planted to
organic soybeans. The coastal regions were starting to
experience moisture stress, however, received rain just in time
to avert yield loss.
The NSW crop is dominated by
production on the north coast. The estimated area on the north
coast is all planted and, with good rain over the last week, the
crop is off to a good start. The inland areas continue to suffer
from lack of water and both areas and yields have been adjusted
down. Rain will be required to finish these crops. The small
crop in the Riverina is looking good.
Virtual soybean site -
http://www.australianoilseeds.com/agronomy_centre/the_virtual_soybean_crop
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