Western Australian farmers are facing the prospect of a 50 per cent decline in winter crop production this season, according to data produced by two government reports released this month.
Western Australian farmers are facing the prospect of a 50 per cent decline in winter crop production this season, according to data produced by two government reports released this month.
Following below-average winter rainfall and a late start to the season, area and production yields are expected to be significantly below last year’s figures.
According to a report by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics, the area sown to winter crop is estimated to be down 30 percent on the 2005 season, with the northern part of the Wheatbelt worst affected.
Production yields are also expected to be down 41 per cent, with total winter crop production forecast to be 8.4 million tonnes for 2006-07, compared with 14.3 million tonnes last season.
Lupins and canola have experienced the greatest declines, with production forecast to be 77 per cent and 60 per cent lower this season, respectively, while yields from wheat and barley are forecast to be below the long-term average for the grains.
WA Farmers Federation executive director Doug Parker said a combination of factors would have contributed to lower yields this season.
Mr Parker said weather was the biggest factor, as well as the decision by some farmers to plant at staggered times during the season to minimise risk.
“The northern agricultural areas are very poor, and certainly won’t improve. Their window of opportunity disappeared some time ago,” Mr Parker told WA Business News.
He said other areas that were looking poor had improved, following early spring rain, while areas such as Esperance were enjoying a good season.
“We are going to need further rains into October. Finishing off rains will be vital this year,” Mr Parker said.
A second report by the WA Department of Agriculture and Food has corroborated some of the Abare findings in its Seasonal Update report for September, however paints a more negative picture in terms of production.
Total grain production is forecast to be seven million tonnes, reduced to less than six million for delivery, and less than half of production levels in 2005-06.
The majority of Wheatbelt shires are expecting poor wheat yields, with 17 shires (out of 67) expecting yields in the bottom 10 per cent of years (1906 to 2005), and 11 shires expecting to register in the bottom 5 per cent of years.
Some promising spring rain has had a polarising effect on the region, improving the outlook for nine shires since August, however 10 shires have been relegated to the bottom 10 per cent category since last month.
