 |
new south wales |
 |
Total summer crop production in New South Wales is forecast to reach 2.8 million tonnes in 2005-06. Recent hot conditions in the northern part of the state have resulted in poor growing conditions for some summer crops, which are reflected in reduced yield forecasts. |
|
After a good start to the season, high temperatures in late December and early January affected sorghum crop development, reducing yield prospects. The area planted to sorghum in 2005-06 is estimated at 300 000 hectares, with production forecast to be 955 000 tonnes, a marginal increase from 2004-05. |
|
Increased water availability compared with previous seasons combined with favorable growing conditions have significantly increased prospects for rice in 2005-06. Although hot temperatures have resulted in crops flowering early, yields are forecast to be above average. The area sown to rice is estimated to have more than doubled to 105 000 hectares. Rice production is forecast to reach 1 million tonnes in 2005-06. |
|
Both cottonseed and cotton lint production in New South Wales are forecast to increase by 11 per cent to 545 000 tonnes and 385 000 tonnes respectively in 2005-06. Increased production is largely the result of above average rainfall in the leadup to planting and favorable growing conditions in most areas. |
|
The harvesting of winter crops in New South Wales is now complete, with total production estimated to have increased by 4 per cent to 11 million tonnes. Many areas of the state experienced above average rainfall and favorable temperatures throughout spring, improving the yield and quality of winter crops. However, some areas in the north experienced rain and hail interruptions during harvest in late November and early December, which damaged crops, downgrading quality. |
|
Wheat production in New South Wales returned mixed results in 2005-06, with northern areas of the state experiencing drier conditions throughout the growing period leading to poorer quality wheat and lower yields compared with 2004-05. In central and southern areas, beneficial rainfall throughout the growing period and favorable conditions during harvest resulted in increased yields and improved wheat quality. In 2005-06, total wheat production in New South Wales is estimated to have been around 7.9 million tonnes. |
|
Despite the late start to the season, total barley production in New South Wales is estimated to have increased significantly to 2.2 million tonnes in 2005-06. Grain quality has been reported to be good to excellent in southern and central areas of the state, with increased receivals of malt grade barley compared with previous seasons. In the north of the state, drier conditions resulted in reduced yields and poorer quality, with receivals of malt grade barley significantly less than 2004-05. |
|
Favorable seasonal conditions boosted canola yields above previous years. However, in 2005-06, canola production is estimated to have fallen by 45 per cent to 254 000 tonnes, reflecting a 67 per cent reduction in plantings. Oil content has also been down compared with previous harvests as a result of the late start to the season. |
| |
| new south wales summer crop forecasts, 2005-06 |
 |
|
Area |
f |
Yield |
f |
Production |
f |
Production change from 2004-05 |
|
| |
`000 ha |
|
t/ha |
|
kt |
|
% |
 |
| Sorghum |
300 |
|
3.18 |
|
955 |
|
1 |
|
| Sunflowers |
73 |
|
1.33 |
|
96.22 |
|
150 |
|
| Cotton seed |
213 |
|
2.56 |
|
545.05 |
|
11 |
|
| Cotton lint |
213 |
|
1.81 |
|
385 |
|
11 |
|
| Rice |
105 |
|
9.53 |
|
1001 |
|
210 |
|
f ABARE forecast. |
|
|
|
| new south wales winter crop estimates, 2005-06 |
|
|
Area |
s |
Yield |
s |
Production |
s |
Production change from 2004-05 |
|
|
`000 ha |
|
t/ha |
|
kt |
|
% |
|
| Wheat |
3 145 |
|
2.52 |
|
7 921 |
|
1 |
|
| Barley |
1 015 |
|
2.21 |
|
2 245 |
|
31 |
|
| Canola |
145 |
|
1.75 |
|
254 |
|
–45 |
|
s ABARE estimate. f ABARE forecast. |
|
|
|
|
