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| victoria » Widespread rainfall in Victoria in late April and May provided an ideal seasonal break in many areas of Victoria. Significant planting has occurred on reasonable soil moisture. In many areas it has been the best autumn break received in a number of years. » As a result of the early break for most cropping areas in Victoria, along with favourable air and soil temperatures, which were still warm in late autumn, seed germination and emergence has been rapid. The ideal start has enabled clean paddocks to be sown straight away, while chemical knockdowns have been applied to problem weed paddocks prior to sowing. In addition, more canola has been planted to alleviate rotation pressure. Late starts in previous seasons have prevented widespread canola plantings from taking place. » Most of Victoria received above average rainfall in May and further rainfall in June has been ideal for early sown crops, although the wet weather delayed further planting in some areas. With soil moisture profiles recharged in most areas, and a warm autumn boosting crop establishment, winter crop prospects are very positive at this early stage of the season. » The area sown to winter crops in Victoria is forecast to increase by 8 per cent in 2007-08, to just below 3 million hectares. Assuming average yields, total winter crop production in 2007-08 is forecast to reach around 6.3 million tonnes, almost 5 million tonnes more than was produced in the previous season. » The area planted to wheat in Victoria is forecast to rise by around 14 per cent to around 1.4 million hectares in 2007-08. Assuming a return to average yields, 2007-08 wheat production is forecast to exceed 3.1 million tonnes, a significant increase from the 650 000 tonnes produced in the 2006-07 drought year. » The area planted to barley in Victoria in 2007-08 is forecast to rise by 8 per cent to 920 000 hectares. Production is forecast to exceed 2 million tonnes, almost four times what was produced last season, reflecting the increased area sown, combined with a return to average yields. » Canola production in Victoria is estimated to be over 380 000 tonnes in 2007-08, a significant increase from the 42 000 tonnes produced last year. Area planted to canola is forecast to increase by 12 per cent to 238 000 hectares, reflecting the early rainfall that provided a near ideal start for canola. The area sown in the Wimmera and Mallee have increased significantly from previous years. Across most regions, early sown canola is up and looking good.
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