AUSTRALIA’S winter crop production is expected to increase slightly, despite unfavourable seasonal conditions, according to the latest ABARES crop report.
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ABARES executive director Karen Schneider said Australia’s winter harvest was forecast to increase by 2 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.”
ABARES expects SA’s winter crop to be 5pc lower in 2015-16 at 7.2mt, mainly due to adverse seasonal conditions.
SA wheat production is estimated to fall by 6pc to 4.4mt, while barley is forecast to decline 3pc to 1.9mt.
Canola production is forecast to drop 10pc to 296,000t, largely due to the decline in area planted.
As to harvest so far, Viterra said more than 1mt was delivered to SA sites last week, taking the state’s total receivals to more than 4.3mt.
Croppers in the west are on the home stretch of their harvest – having delivered 1.89mt – while the central region is more than halfway through, but was impacted by the Pinery fire.
Viterra group commercial manager Andrew Hannon said the company was working closely with growers in the fire region to assist with their immediate needs.
“Viterra has opened segregations for grain that has been impacted by the fires to provide growers with a delivery option,” he said.
The company has also established a national grower register to raise funds for those affected by the fires. It has kick-started the fund with a $100,000 donation.
In the eastern region, receivals also slowed due to high winds and fire risk.
Harvest in the Lower South East had started, with loads received at Frances.
Lucindale cropper David Malpas will begin his harvest of wheat, barley and beans this week.
It will be early, as Mr Malpas does not normally get underway until after Christmas.
