queensland Most of Queensland’s cropping regions recorded above average rainfall during August, with the exception of central Queensland, which received average rainfall. Further rainfall has been received in some areas in early September. This has significantly improved yield potential in most regions, especially for late planted crops, with the exception of some areas in the south west of the state’s cropping region where the rain was too late to improve prospects. According to the shire scale wheat forecasting system of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, almost the entire south east cropping region shows a forecast median yield slightly below the long term average, while most areas in the south west show a forecast yield well below the long term expectation. In contrast, most areas in central Queensland are showing yield expectations close to the long term average, with above average yields expected in some areas. September rainfall will assist in the flowering and grain filling stages for most of southern Queensland’s cropping region, while most early planted crops in central Queensland have reached maturity and any further rainfall will not boost yield potential. Above average September rainfall is needed to improve the current below average yield expectation for most of southern Queensland. The area sown to winter crops in Queensland is estimated to have increased by around 8 per cent in 2007-08, to 740 000 hectares. The area sown to winter crops in both south east Queensland and south west Queensland was below and well below average respectively, reflecting the late dry start to the season. In contrast, the area sown to winter crops in central Queensland was close to average following timely planting rainfall. Total winter crop production is forecast to rise by 36 per cent, to over 1.1 million tonnes, reflecting the increase in area sown combined with an improvement in yields compared with the 2006-07 season. The area planted to wheat in Queensland is estimated to have risen by 5 per cent to 580 000 hectares in 2007-08. However, this is around 15 per cent below the five year average, reflecting the late dry start to the season. Wheat production in Queensland is forecast to reach 890 000 tonnes in 2007-08, 27 per cent higher than in 2006-07, as a result of timely in crop rainfall in most regions. The area planted to barley is estimated to have fallen marginally in 2007-08, to 89 000 hectares, primarily reflecting a reduction in sowings on the Darling Downs, one of the State’s major barley growing regions, because of the poor start to the season. Despite the drop in area, barley production is forecast to reach around 150 000 tonnes in 2007-08, up around 58 per cent from the previous season, reflecting a significant improvement in yields. Chickpea production is forecast to more than double to around 99 000 tonnes in 2007-08. Early rainfall in central Queensland allowed a significant area of chickpeas to be planted. The early planting rainfall, combined with average winter rainfall, has provided favorable growing conditions. As a result, yields in central Queensland are forecast to be average to above average. The area planted to grain sorghum is forecast to increase by 68 per cent to 505 000 hectares. The forecast reflects an increase in the area of fallow land available for summer cropping in southern Queensland owing to the lack of winter crops in these districts. However, at least average spring rainfall will be required to replenish subsoil moisture level to allow summer sowing to proceed. Assuming average yields, grain sorghum production is forecast to reach around 1.2 million tonnes in 2007-08, reflecting the forecast increase in area sown, combined with a return to average yields. Inadequate water availability in the main storage dams is forecast to result in a 51 per cent fall in the area planted to cotton in 2007-08, to 18 000 hectares. This will be the third season in a row that cotton area has declined and will be the smallest area planted to cotton in Queensland since 1978–79. Cottonseed and cotton lint production are forecast to fall by around 50 per cent, to around 39 000 tonnes and 28 000 tonnes respectively. queensland winter crop forecasts,  2007-08 area yield a production production change from 2006-07 ‘000 ha t/ha kt % wheat 580 1.53 890 27 barley 89 1.69 150 58 a Yields are based on area planted. queensland summer crop estimates, 2007-08 area yield  a production area change from 2006-07 ‘000 ha t/ha kt % sorghum 505 2.3 1 162 68 sunflowers 18 0.83 15 339 cotton seed 18 2.23 39 -50 cotton lint 18 1.58 28 -50 a Yields are based on area planted.