» The 2006-07 winter cropping season in Western Australia was mixed. The northern part of the grains belt had a poor start to the season and the area sown was reduced significantly. The start to the season in the central and southern parts of the grains belt was more favourable. However, as the season progressed, rainfall was generally below average across the majority of the grains belt. Total winter grains production in Western Australia in 2006-07 is estimated at 7.5 million tonnes, 47 per cent below the 2005-06 harvest (estimated to have been the second highest on record).

» In early January 2007 the Cooperative Bulk Handling Authority in Western Australia estimated that they had 6.3 million tonnes of grain delivered into their receival network. Of the grain delivered, an estimated 70 per cent was wheat and 20 per cent barley.

» Production of wheat is estimated to have fallen to 5 million tonnes in 2006-07, around 47 per cent lower than the previous season. The poor start to the season in the north and below average rainfall resulted in wheat production being one of the lowest in the past ten seasons, with the exception of the 2002-03 drought year.

» Barley production is estimated to have fallen by around 36 per cent to 1.7 million tonnes in 2006-07. The fall in production reflects an 18 per cent reduction in the area sown to barley and below average yields.

» Western Australian canola production is estimated at 365 000 tonnes in 2006-07. This is a decrease of 265 000 tonnes from the record canola production of 2005-06. The oil content of the canola crop has been reasonably good, given the seasonal conditions, averaging above 40 per cent.

» Lupin production is estimated to be 125 000 tonnes in 2006-07, the lowest lupin production in Western Australia on record. The reduced production is the result of both a 46 per cent fall in the area sown to lupins and yields being well below average. Lupin yields fell to an estimated 0.36 tonnes per hectare, compared with the five year average of 1.00 tonne per hectare.

winter crop estimates, 2006-07 – western australia production change from area yield a production 2005-06 `000 ha t/ha kt % Wheat 4 000 1.25 5 000 –47 Barley 1 070 1.54 1 650 –36 Canola 400 0.91 365 –42 Lupins 350 0.36 125 –86 a Yields are based on are planted.