News section
home news forum careers events suppliers solutions markets resources directories advertise contacts search site plan
 
.
Canola and sunflower crop report

.

Australia
May, 2008

Source: Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF)

Canola 2007/08

The 2008/09 canola crop is expected to recover from the drought impacted crops of the previous two years, although rain is needed in the next few weeks on the east coast to see planting intentions realised.

NSW continues to face dry conditions. Sub soil moisture is variable across the State. While the south received some rain during April, the north and central regions are still waiting for the break. Good prices and rotational benefits are supporting grower planting intentions for canola. About 50% of the estimated area has already been sown, and 20% of this area sown was sown dry. Good rain in the next 2-3 weeks is critical to seeing planting intentions realised.

There is little sub soil moisture across Victoria and there has been little growing season rain to date. In the lower rainfall areas, rain in the next 2-3 weeks is critical, while the higher rainfall areas will continue planting into June.
Rainfall has been highly variable across South Australia, with all regions looking for further rain. There is expected to be an increase in wheat and canola plantings across the State. Some area has been planted, but further rain is necessary to realise intentions.

There has been an excellent start to the season across Western Australia, with above average rainfall in April. The exception is Esperance which is still looking for more rain. The canola area is mostly sown and there has been a substantial increase in area due to the good price outlook and good experience with canola over the past couple of seasons.

Sunflowers 2007/08

The sunflower crop estimates are virtually unchanged with the NSW late crop average yields supported by the significant proportion of the crop on irrigation. There has been no change to estimates for the Queensland crop.

Conditions have remained very dry for the last 3 months in the Moree region and thus, dryland crop yields may not be as good as expected. Irrigated crops which have received 1-2 irrigations are expected to yield between 1.8-2.6t/ha with harvest about to start. Average yield potential is likely to be highly variable, but should average around 1.3t/ha. Dry down has been slow with cool autumn days (~24 0C) and cold nights. The mild conditions during oil lay down should assist oil content levels.
 
On the Liverpool Plains, the late sunflower harvest is progressing fairly well. Yields have been quite good
considering the dry conditions. Average yields are estimated to be in the range of 1.8-2.2t/ha, although some crops that were sown on limited soil moisture are likely to see yields below this. Harvest will continue for the next 4-6 weeks with late planted crops still drying down. Dry weather has continued allowing good harvest conditions
Crops around the Coonamble region are approaching physiological maturity and growers are contemplating
desiccation. Yields are hoped to range between 1.4-1.8t/ha.

 

 

 

 

The news item on this page is copyright by the organization where it originated - Fair use notice

Other news from this source


Copyright © SeedQuest - All rights reserved