 Most of Queensland’s cropping regions recorded average to above average winter rainfall. Further rainfall was received across most areas in early September, which has maintained yield potential of winter crops. Winter crops were generally sown late throughout Queensland, as the rainfall growers required for planting did not occur until June.
Above average summer rainfall throughout Queensland meant there were full subsoil moisture profiles. However, below average autumn rainfall in 2008 dried out the topsoil, resulting in some crops in southern and central Queensland being deep sown. Crop development is at different stages with some crops in central Queensland already harvested and others still in the growth phase.
The area sown to winter crops in Queensland is estimated to have increased by 61 per cent in 2008-09, to 1.2 million hectares, the largest area planted since the late 1990s. In parts of the south-west Downs, rainfall in early September will more than likely secure average yields. In central Queensland, conditions are variable and rainfall during spring will be critical for later sown crops. Total winter crop production is forecast to be 1.7 million tonnes in 2008-09, around 50 per cent more than the previous year’s harvest.
The area planted to wheat in Queensland is estimated to have been 1 million hectares, compared with 580 000 hectares planted in the previous year. Stripe rust, yellow leaf and frost damage are concerns for the 2008-09 wheat harvest. The full extent of frost damage will not be known until harvest commences. Early sown wheat crops in central Queensland were harvested in late August and quality and yields were reported as good. Wheat production is forecast at 1.5 million tonnes in 2008-09, compared with 910 000 tonnes in the previous year.
Although the area planted to barley is estimated to have increased by 12 per cent in 2008-09, a decline in yields is likely to result in slightly lower barley production. Barley yields in Queensland are forecast at 1.58 tonnes a hectare in 2008-09, compared with 1.80 tonnes a hectare in 2007-08. Total barley production is forecast at 158 000 tonnes.
Chickpea production is forecast at 87 000 tonnes in 2008-09, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year. The late break to the season in central Queensland resulted in a higher than normal proportion of chickpeas being planted in that region. Total area planted to chickpeas in Queensland is forecast to be 82 000 hectares in 2008-09, up from 66 000 hectares in 2007-08.
The area planted to grain sorghum in Queensland is forecast to decline by around 5 per cent in 2008-09, from the record area planted in 2007-08. Parts of the 2007-08 grain sorghum area were double cropped into wheat and will therefore not be planted to grain sorghum in 2008-09. Despite the forecast decline in area planted, it is still one of the highest on record. Yields are forecast to return closer to historical averages from the record 3 tonnes a hectare achieved in 2007-08. Grain sorghum production is forecast to be 1.2 million tonnes in 2008-09, a 30 per cent decline from the previous year.
Most cotton producing regions of Queensland are likely to have improved availability of irrigation water in 2008-09 compared with 2007-08. This is particularly the case in the Emerald region of central Queensland, where Fairbairn Dam is currently at 86 per cent of capacity. Queensland cotton plantings are forecast to more than triple in 2008-09 to 71 000 hectares, consisting of almost 60 000 hectares of irrigated cotton and 11 500 hectares of dryland cotton. Nevertheless, cotton plantings in Queensland in 2008-09 represent less than one-third of the record 199 000 hectares sown in 2000-01. Queensland is forecast to produce around 129 000 tonnes of cotton lint and 182 000 tonnes of cottonseed in 2008-09. |
