AUSTRALIA’S winter crop production is expected to increase slightly, despite unfavourable conditions, according to the latest ABARES Crop Report.
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ABARES executive director Karen Schneider said Australia’s winter crop production was forecast to increase by two per cent in 2015-16 to 39.1 million tonnes, when compared to last season.
“This is despite below average rainfall in many cropping regions during early spring and above average daytime temperatures in southern Australia,” she said.
“These conditions have affected each region differently – higher winter crop production is forecast in Qld and NSW, but lower production is forecast in SA and Vic, compared with 2014–15.
“In WA, winter crop production is forecast to remain largely unchanged.”
Wheat production was forecast to rise by 1pc to 24mt and barley by 2pc to about 8.2mt.
Canola production is forecast to fall 14pc to about 3mt, reflecting the fall in planted area.
“Among the other winter crops, a rise in area planted to pulses is expected to result in increased production despite a decline in yield prospects over recent months,” Ms Schneider said.
She said the start to the summer cropping season had been promising for most crops.
“Widespread rainfall across the major regions of Qld and northern NSW has improved prospects for a range of summer crops,” she said.
“Above average rainfall is forecast for the next few months in these regions, leading to an expected increase in total area planted of grain, sorghum and cotton.
“Total area planted to summer crops is forecast to increase by 12pc in 2015-16 to about 1.2 million hectares.
“However, the area planted to rice is forecast to decline significantly because of irrigation water availability. This contributes to a forecast fall in total summer crop production by 4pc to 3.9mt.”
