south australia After a promising start to the winter cropping season, prospects in South Australia declined rapidly throughout August. Late August was defined by lack of rain, abnormally high temperatures and strong winds, resulting in crops losing significant yield potential in most districts as soil moisture reserves declined rapidly. Winter rainfall was below average throughout the state, with parts of the western Eyre Peninsula recording their lowest winter rainfall on record. August was particularly dry, with very much below average rainfall in all districts. Mean maximum temperatures for August were above average. Many regions recorded either their equal highest or record maximum temperatures on 30 August. High temperatures were combined with gusty winds, which placed additional pressure on moisture stressed crops. The lack of September rainfall to date has exacerbated the poor conditions. The most severely affected areas are the upper north and Eyre Peninsula. Crops in these areas are dying off and will not recover even if spring rainfall is received. Some crops are being cut for hay, while others have had livestock turned onto them. Total area planted to winter crops in South Australia is estimated to have been 3.82 million hectares, around 5 per cent higher than in 2006-07. Total winter crop production is forecast to reach 4.06 million tonnes in 2007-08. However, significant spring rainfall will be essential to achieving this outcome. The area planted to wheat in South Australia is estimated to have been 4 per cent higher in 2007-08, at 2.1 million hectares, reflecting the early optimism in the season. Despite the poor winter conditions, yields are still expected to exceed last year’s drought yields. Total wheat production is forecast to be 2.2 million tonnes in 2007-08, nearly 60 per cent more than was produced in 2006-07 but around 36 per cent below the five year average. The area planted to barley in 2007-08 is estimated to have increased by 9 per cent to around 1.2 million hectares, reflecting the good start to the season and relatively high barley prices at the time of sowing compared with prices for wheat. Assuming below average yields, barley production in 2007-08 is forecast to be around 1.3 million tonnes, a 39 per cent increase on 2006-07. The area planted to canola in South Australia in 2007-08 is estimated to have increased by around 7 per cent to 160 000 hectares, reflecting the ideal start to the season. Despite the poor winter conditions, canola production is forecast to reach around 190 000 tonnes in 2007-08, two and a half times what was produced last season. south australia winter crop forecasts,  2007-08 area yield a production production change from 2006-07 ‘000 ha t/ha kt % wheat 2 068 1.04 2 150 59 barley 1 170 1.07 1 250 39 canola 160 1.19 190 153 a Yields are based on area planted.