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western australia |
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Growing conditions throughout the 2005-06 winter cropping season in Western Australia were variable. An excellent start to the season was followed by the driest July on record. Above average rainfall led to water logging of soils in May and June in the great southern region and some areas experienced frosts in September. Despite the variable conditions, overall the season in Western Australia has been favorable with timely rainfall and mild spring temperatures across parts of the grain belt. In 2005-06 winter grains harvest is estimated to have reached 14.16 million tonnes, the second highest production on record. |
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In early January 2006 the Cooperative Bulk Handling authority in Western Australia estimated that they had 12.2 million tonnes of grain delivered into there receival network, with an estimated 200 000 – 400 000 tonnes still to enter the system as harvest in the southern grains belt is completed. |
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Wheat production is estimated to have increased by 8 per cent to 9.5 million tonnes in 2005-06, the second largest wheat crop produced in Western Australia (1.5 million tonnes below the record harvest in 2003-04). Reflecting the favorable start to the winter cropping season wheat yields are above the five year average. The quality of the wheat crops has also been reported as good. |
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Production of barley is estimated to have increased to 2.6 million tonnes in 2005-06, around 5 per cent higher than in the previous season. The increase in production reflects a record area sown to barley and favorable growing conditions. |
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A record canola production of 630 000 tonnes is estimated to have been harvested in Western Australia in 2005-06. This is an increase of 160 000 tonnes on the previous year’s production, with both yield and oil content reported to be above average. |
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Lupin production is estimated at 926 000 tonnes in 2005-06, a 14 per cent increase when compared with 2004-05 when production was 814 000 tonnes. |
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| western australia winter crop estimates, 2005-06 |
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Area |
s |
Yield |
s |
Production |
s |
Production change from2004-05 |
|
|
000 ha |
|
t/ha |
|
kt |
|
% |
|
|
| Wheat |
5 221 |
|
1.82 |
|
9 478 |
|
8 |
 |
| Barley |
1 303 |
|
1.99 |
|
2 598 |
|
5 |
|
| Canola |
440 |
|
1.43 |
|
630 |
|
34 |
|
| Lupins |
650 |
|
1.42 |
|
926 |
|
14 |
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s ABARE estimate. f ABARE forecast. |
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