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| queensland |
 With generally above to very much above average rainfall across most of the summer grain growing regions in Queensland since October 2007, summer crop production is expected to be significantly higher than in the past couple of years. Total summer crop production in Queensland is forecast to be 1.7 million tonnes, 53 per cent higher than in the previous year. Despite the recent floods around Emerald, which damaged some of central Queensland’s grain sorghum crop, the increased yield potential in the southern Queensland grain sorghum growing regions will more than outweigh these losses. The favourable rainfall also provides an opportunity for a late sorghum crop to be sown, particularly in central Queensland. The area sown to grain sorghum is estimated to be around 545 000 hectares, the largest area planted to grain sorghum in Queensland since the 2001-02 season. The relatively high returns from grain sorghum and favourable rainfall have prompted the large area to be planted. Across southern and central Queensland, yields are expected to be above longer term averages, leading to total state production of grain sorghum being at a forecast record 1.4 million tonnes. Sunflower production in 2007-08 is forecast to be substantially higher than in the previous year, at around 22 000 tonnes. In central Queensland, sunflowers can be planted up to March. Therefore, an opportunity still exists for additional plantings to occur. The area sown to sunflowers is estimated at 13 000 hectares, triple the area sown in 2006-07. An estimated 22 800 hectares were planted to cotton in Queensland in 2007-08, of which 5400 hectares were dryland cotton. Heavy rainfall has destroyed 500–600 hectares of cotton plantings in the Emerald region, but has filled irrigation dams. Cool, overcast weather has also slightly reduced yield potential in some regions of Queensland. Cotton lint and cottonseed production are forecast to be 37 000 tonnes and 52 000 tonnes respectively in 2007-08, down 33 per cent from the previous year. Winter crop production in Queensland is estimated to have increased by 36 per cent to 1.16 million tonnes in 2007-08. In southern Queensland the 2007-08 winter season was mixed, with yields and quality varying significantly throughout the region. Central Queensland received good planting rains and the benefit of rainfall throughout the season. Winter crops in central Queensland were the best for a number of seasons. The area planted to wheat in Queensland is estimated to have risen by 2 per cent to 580 000 hectares in 2007-08. Total production is estimated to have risen by around 160 000 tonnes to 910 000 tonnes in 2007-08. Central Queensland wheat yields were average to above average, significantly better than most areas of the Darling Downs. Production of barley is estimated to have almost tripled to around 160 000 tonnes in 2007-08. The increased production reflects a 44 per cent increase in the area sown to barley and an increase in barley yields from the drought reduced yields in 2006-07. Chickpea production is estimated to almost double in 2007-08 to 83 000 tonnes. Early rain in central Queensland allowed a significant area of chickpeas to be planted and growing conditions remained favourable throughout the season. Crops have now been harvested, with above average yields and quality achieved. |
| summer crop forecasts 2007-08 | ||||
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|
area |
yield a |
production |
production change from 2006-07 |
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`000 ha |
t/ha |
kt |
% |
|
|
||||
| sorghum | 545 |
2.65 |
1 444 |
55 |
| sunflowers | 13 |
1.74 |
22 |
640 |
| cotton seed | 23 |
2.27 |
52 |
-33 |
| cotton lint | 23 |
1.60 |
37 |
-33 |
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| a yields are based on area planted. | ||||
| winter crop estimates, 2007-08 | ||||
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|
area |
yield a |
production |
production change from 2006-07 |
|
||||
`000 ha |
t/ha |
kt |
% |
|
|
||||
| wheat | 580 |
1.57 |
910 |
21 |
| barley | 89 |
1.80 |
160 |
176 |
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| a yields are based on area planted. | ||||