Australian Oilseeds Federation - Canola, sunflower and soybeans crop report January 2007 (excerpts)

Canola 2006/07

Our final estimates for the 2006/07 canola crop are for a total crop of 512,000 tonnes. This is an improvement on last month, with better than forecast yields realised in Western Australia.

There is no change to the estimates on the east coast, although quality was somewhat better than expected in terms of oil contents and test weight. While oil content was down, it was not as low as might have been expected given the seasonal conditions. Production estimates in Western Australia have been further lifted to 365,000 tonnes on the back of better than expected yields in the Albany and Esperance regions. Quality has been good with a average oil content of 42-43%.

Sunflowers 2006/07

The continuing dry conditions have set the ground for one of the smallest sunflower crops on record. While we are estimating a total crop of over 30,000 tonnes, less than half of this is currently planted with rain required to see the predicted late plant eventuate.

There has been very little early crop planted in Queensland and while there is potential for a reasonable plant in Central Queensland, good widespread rain is required to realise this.

The northern NSW crop maturity ranges from harvesting to late grain fill/ dry down. The few crops that have been harvested are averaging 1.2t/ha, with the odd paddock having benefited from storm rain and expected to yield up to 2t/ha. Most crops had one Rutherglen spray. There are no late planted crops in northern NSW at this stage. Rain in the order of 50-75mm needs to occur before the end of January for this planting will commence.

The early crop on the Liverpool Plains varies in maturity from drying down to seed filling stage. Yield potential has been reduced by the lack of in crop rainfall. Estimated yields to be on average 1.3-1.4t/ha. Rutherglen bugs have generally required one spray and there are also a number of nymphs present now.

The lack of significant rain has limited late crop opportunity and the very small amount of late crop being planted is mainly into irrigation. There would be an opportunity to plant some late sunflowers up to the end of January, or the end of the first week of February at the latest, if good rain was received.

Soybeans 2006/07

Like the sunflower crop, the continuing dry conditions will see one of the smallest soybean crops on record at only around 40,000 tonnes.

The Queensland coastal area has had a reasonable plant, although the crop is under some moisture stress. However, good rain during the growing season may see some upside in yield potential in this region. For the remainder of Queensland, plantings have been significantly reduced due to lack of rainfall and irrigation water availability. The crop is still dependent on rain to see production realised.

Estimates last month for the northern inland NSW crop were dependent on rain that did not occur and thus, the estimated area planted in regions outside of the north coast has been revised down. The north coast will be the dominant production region in NSW, although a significant proportion of the estimated area is still to be planted. The coast has received good rain in most parts, but the extended sugar harvest is delaying planting of soybeans. As reported last time, planting in the Riverina has been severely reduced due to lack of water availability, although the very small crop planted is looking good.

There has been very low insect pressure across all areas to date.