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| western australia |
 The 2007-08 winter cropping season in Western Australia was mixed. The northern part of the Western Australian grain belt had a poor start to the season and, while overall production for the region was better than expected (the benefit of good finishing rains), it was still well below average. In the southern and central regions, seasonal conditions were more favourable and yields in these regions were average to above average. Total winter grain production in Western Australia in 2007-08 is estimated at 9.7 million tonnes, 22 per cent above the 2006-07 harvest, but below the five year average of 12.4 million tonnes. The Cooperative Bulk Handling Authority in Western Australia estimated in mid-January 2008 that total grain delivered into their receival network for the 2007-08 season would be 8.5 million tonnes (harvest report #10). Of the grain delivered, it is estimated that 70 per cent of deliveries were wheat and 20 per cent barley. The other grains delivered included canola, lupins, oats, field peas and chick peas. Wheat production is estimated to have been 6.1 million tonnes in 2007-08, an increase of 1.2 million tonnes from the previous year’s drought reduced harvest. Despite the increased wheat production, it is still well below the five year average for Western Australia of around 8 million tonnes. Total barley production in Western Australia is estimated to have been around 2.2 million tonnes. Barley yields are estimated at 1.9 tonnes per hectare in 2007-08, compared with the previous season’s drought affected yield of 1.6 tonnes per hectare and a five year average yield of 1.95 tonnes per hectare. There were some high screenings, but generally the quality of barley was good. The area of canola in Western Australia is estimated to have been 390 000 hectares, 8000 hectares more than in the previous year. Canola production in Western Australia is estimated to have been 665 000 tonnes, nearly double that produced in the previous year. Rainfall in October 2007 and a favourable finish resulted in canola production being above earlier expectations. Oil content was generally good, at an average of 43 per cent. Lupin production is estimated at 210 000 tonnes, only half that produced in 2006-07. Lupin yields were well below average at 0.70 tonnes per hectare compared with a five year average of 1.18 tonnes per hectare. |
| winter crop estimates, 2007-08 | ||||
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area |
yield a |
production |
production change from 2006-07 |
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`000 ha |
t/ha |
kt |
% |
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| wheat | 4 100 |
1.49 |
6 100 |
24 |
| barley | 1 150 |
1.91 |
2 200 |
26 |
| canola | 390 |
1.71 |
665 |
96 |
| lupins | 300 |
0.70 |
210 |
-50 |
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| a yields are based on area planted. | ||||