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| new south wales » Good rainfall in April–May and early June throughout most parts of New South Wales has provided the earliest start to winter crop plantings in a number of seasons. The southern New South Wales region has secured the best start, with good rainfall and above average temperatures during May boosting crop development. The early start, combined with forecast average rainfall from June–August, is expected to result in a significant rebound in winter crop production. » The area planted to winter crops in New South Wales is forecast to increase by 22 per cent to 6.2 million hectares. Assuming average winter rainfall, winter crop production is forecast to more than triple from the previous season to around 11.4 million tonnes. » The area planted to wheat in 2007-08 is forecast to increase by 27 per cent to 4.3 million hectares, with an increase in the area planted expected in most regions of the state. The earlier start to the season in southern New South Wales is expected to increase the yield potential of the crop. In parts of central and northern New South Wales the potential for wheat is currently lower than in southern areas, because of a later start to the season. Overall, wheat production is forecast to increase by around 6 million tonnes in 2007-08 to around 8.1 million tonnes. » The area planted to barley in 2007-08 is forecast to increase by around 12 per cent to 1 million hectares, largely reflecting the earlier start to the season. However, in northern parts of New South Wales, it is expected that some of the area planned for wheat will be planted to barley, because of lower soil moisture profiles. Assuming average yields, barley production in 2007-08 is forecast to be around 2 million tonnes, almost four times that produced in 2006-07. » The area planted to canola is forecast to increase by 18 per cent in 2007-08 to 212 000 hectares, reflecting the earlier start to the season in southern and central parts of the state. Assuming average yields, canola production is forecast to increase to 297 000 tonnes in 2007-08, a significant increase from the 30 000 tonne crop produced in the previous year. » Harvest of the 2006-07 grain sorghum crop is all but complete. Production is estimated to have reached around 349 000 tonnes, 60 per cent lower than in 2005-06, and reflecting a decrease in the area sown, combined with extremely hot and dry conditions in early 2007. » Cotton lint and cotton seed production is estimated to have fallen by around 45 per cent in 2006-07 to 220 000 tonnes and 311 000 tonnes respectively. In 2006-07, the area planted to cotton declined by 49 per cent to 109 000 hectares, as a result of lower water allocations and low cotton prices relative to alternative crops. » Rice production in 2006-07 is estimated to have fallen by 83 per cent to total 167 000 tonnes, reflecting lower water allocations. Rice yields in 2006-07 are estimated to have averaged around 10 tonnes per hectare, which is 19 per cent above the five year average. Summer is a critical stage for the development of the rice crop, and with ideal growing temperatures in early 2007, final yields proved to be above average.
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