Grain crop up despite WA drought: ABARES
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The federal government's commodity forecaster is still predicting a record wheat harvest, despite drought in WA and heavy rains in Queensland and parts of NSW.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) said up until recently, many cropping regions in eastern Australia have had ideal growing conditions that boosted crop yields to record levels.
In stark contrast, the poor seasonal conditions in Western Australia is expected to result in the winter crop being less than half of last season, at just six million tonnes.
As of December 6, Cooperative Bulk Handling had reported that around 4.9 million tonnes of grain had been received.
Harvesting across WA is expected to be finished by the end of December after an early start.
According to ABARES crop report, wheat production is expected to be around 3.6 million tonnes in 2010-11, with a statewide average yield of 0.74 tonnes a hectares, the lowest yield since 1969-70.
Barley production is expected to fall to around 1.1 million tonnes, while Canola is expects to be down 600,000 tonnes.
But even though production in Western Australia is forecast to be well down on last season and crop quality lower in eastern states, crop production is forecast to rise 22 per cent compared with last season to 43.2 million tonnes.
Nationally wheat production in 2010-11 is forecast to be a record 26.8 million tonnes compared with 21.9 million tonnes in 2009-10.
Barley production is forecast to reach 9.8 million tonnes, 24 per cent higher than 2009-10 and canola production is forecast to rise seven per cent to two million tonnes in 2010-11.
"The most significant rise in production is expected in NSW, where winter crop production is forecast to more than double to 17.1 million tonnes," ABARES acting executive director Paul Morris.
"Looking further ahead, the current full soil moisture profiles and high water storage levels in Queensland and northern NSW has given summer crops a very good start to the season," Mr Morris said.