western australia Winter crop production in Western Australia is estimated to be almost 9 million tonnes in 2007-08, an increase of 19 per cent compared with production in the previous season. Seasonal conditions in Western Australia have been variable throughout the cropping season. The northern part of the Western Australian grains belt had a poor start to the season. Despite production being below average in that region, the quality of the grain delivered so far this harvest has been of a high standard. In the southern and central regions, seasonal conditions were more favourable and crop yields are expected to be average to above average. Rainfall in May–October was below average across the majority of the Western Australian grains belt. Timely rainfall in September and early October helped maintain crop development in the southern and central parts of the grain belt. Harvest in Western Australia commenced in early October. The Cooperative Bulk Handling Authority (CBH harvest report #1) in Western Australia estimates that they will receive around 8 million tonnes of grain for the 2007-08 season, compared with an average 11 million tonnes. By late November, CBH had received an estimated 4.3 million tonnes of grain. Wheat production is estimated at 5.8 million tonnes in 2007-08, an increase of 800 000 tonnes over the previous season. Wheat yields are estimated at 1.41 tonnes per hectare in 2007-08, compared with the previous season’s drought affected yield of 1.25 tonnes per hectare and a five year average yield of 1.71 tonnes per hectare. Refecting a 7 per cent increase in the area sown to barley and an improvement in yield estimates compared with 2006-07, total barley production in Western Australia is estimated to increase by 23 per cent, to 2 million tonnes. Of the malting barley harvested, reasonable malt quality has been achieved. The area planted to canola in Western Australia is estimated at 390 000 hectares in 2007-08, around 10 000 hectares less than in the previous season. Canola production is estimated at 475 000 tonnes a 30 per cent increase compared with the previous season. Of the canola that has been harvested, oil content has been good at an average of 42–43 per cent. Lupin production is estimated at 210 000 tonnes, an increase of 68 per cent over the 2006-07 season. Despite the increased production lupin yields are still well below the five year average of 1.19 tonnes per hectare. western australia winter crop estimates,  2007-08 area yield a production production change from 2006-07 ‘000 ha t/ha kt % wheat 4 100 1.41 5 800 16 barley 1 150 1.76 2 025 23 canola 390 1.22 475 30 lupins 300 0.63 190 52 a Yields are based on area planted.