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| south australia
» Autumn rainfall has been average to above average in the majority of South Australia’s cropping regions, providing a near ideal start to the season. Good soil moisture has provided excellent opportunities for effective weed control and the majority of sowing will be completed within the optimum timeframe. » Problems with fertiliser availability, mainly in the Eyre Peninsula and the upper north, caused planting delays and resulted in growers sowing with reduced applications or in some instances without fertiliser. » It is estimated that around 90 per cent of intended plantings have been sown, with many growers finished or close to finishing. The main areas yet to be sown are in parts the south east and on Kangaroo Island. A combination of good soil moisture and mild may temperatures has promoted rapid crop emergence in most areas. » Total area planted to winter crops in South Australia is forecast to be 3.85 million hectares, a 6 per cent rise from the previous year. Assuming a return to average yields, total winter crop production is forecast to reach 6.97 million tonnes in 2007-08, a 4.4 million tonne increase from the 2006-07 season. » Area planted to wheat in South Australia is forecast to increase by 4 per cent in 2007-08 to just over 2 million hectares, reflecting the early start to the season and general optimism about crop prospects. Total South Australian wheat production is forecast to be 3.4 million tonnes, a 2.1 million tonne increase from the previous season. » The area planted to barley in 2007-08 is forecast to increase by 14 per cent to around 1.2 million hectares, reflecting the good start to the season and relatively high prices for feed barley compared with wheat. Assuming a return to average yields, barley production in 2007-08 is forecast to reach 2.6 million tonnes, almost three times as much as was produced in the 2006-07 drought year. » Area planted to canola in South Australia in 2007-08 is forecast to increase by 7 per cent to around 160 000 hectares, reflecting the ideal start to the season. Assuming a return to average yields, canola production is forecast to be 240 000 tonnes, more than triple that produced in 2006-07.
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